If you read our First Drive last fall there's not much I can add regarding the Noble M400. Can a small British car company really build a world-class supercar? Does it overcome the kit-car like assembly process necessary for U.S. sale? Is it truly a Porsche 911 GT3 rival? Is it even more capable than my GT? Can I ask too many questions in the opening paragraph of a blog entry?

The answer to all of the above is Yes! I'll state it simply -- this is the most capable street-legal supercar I've ever driven. At 2,500 pounds with a full tank of gas, and with 425 horsepower from the twin-turboed Ford V6, it's not inaccurate to think of the car as a Super Lotus Exige. And at $100,000 it's certainly not overpriced. Every input, from throttle to brakes to steering, happens NOW! Better still, it happens both instantly and with full confidence that the car will obey without questioning (or spinning). The Pirelli PZeros offer amazing grip, yet when they break loose they do so gradually, allowing for easy tail-out driving. Few cars would be ideal for breaking track records and winning drifting contests -- at least not without changing tires and suspension settings in-between -- but this one is.

Continue reading...