By Tim Pollard


21 October 2008 17:30



CAR has obtained – virtually undisguised – spy photos and video of the new Noble M600 supercar. It’s the first time the UK supercar has been seen without disguise and we can now see the mid-engined beast in action.

Noble has gone through plenty of turmoil in the past year, with the departure of eponymous company founder Lee Noble. But it hasn’t stopped development of this key new model, which is due for launch in 2009.

Noble M600: the full story

CAR caught up with Lee Noble before he left the company, and he told us – in December 2007 – that the car was producing ‘480bhp with another 150bhp to come’. Which points to a total power output somewhere around 630bhp, although the power rating could be hinted at in the name.

That grunt comes from a Volvo (you read that right) engine: the V8 from the XC90, longitudinally mounted and breathed upon by two turbochargers. Drive will be sent to the rear axle, making this Brit sports car a potentially lively beast.

Why a Volvo V8? This engine was co-developed with Yamaha and is a relatively lightweight lump – and can be tuned to meet emissions standards around the globe. That’s an important attribute for low-volume car makers keen for access to worldwide markets.

Tell us about the Noble M600 spy video!

Watch the M600 in action in our exclusive spy video below. It was shot in Arizona at an unspecified Noble event. Were they shooting a promotional video for the M600? Or showing it off to prospective buyers or investors? We’re not sure, but we do know it’s a great scoop!

If you’re wondering why the M600 looks so familiar, that’s because this car has suffered a painfully long gestation. The M14 show car was originally shown at the British motor show in 2004 – but ended up stillborn. It morphed into the (track focused) M15 and (roadgoing) M600 projects.