Noble M500 Full Review: Manual V6 Supercar Is a Pure Driving Delight

Noble is back with its latest creation, the M500, aimed squarely at buyers mourning the loss of straightforward sports cars like the Lotus Exige.

Serving as a more attainable replacement for the M600, the M500 drops the old Yamaha-Volvo-Judd 4.4-litre V8 in favor of Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5-litre V6, tuned to pump out 506bhp.

Mid-mounted, the engine drives the rear wheels through a Graziano six-speed manual gearbox originally used in the Audi R8.

While the prototype featured an open differential, customer cars will receive a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The M500 retains the steel spaceframe of the M600—making it about 70% M600 according to managing director Peter Boutwood—though it features lower sills for easier entry, a slightly wider track, and a glassfibre body instead of carbonfibre.

Inside, the cabin features Alcantara trim, digital dials, air-conditioning, a stereo, and a reversing camera, alongside an accommodating front boot.

While the prototype currently weighs around 1400kg due to crude moulds, Boutwood is targeting a final production weight in the 1200kg range.

Suspension duties are handled by Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers carried over from the M600, paired with a new Audi A4-sourced steering rack.

Out on the road and tested at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, the M500 delivers genuine urgency, hitting 150mph without drama before braking hard.

Noble is still finalizing the pricing amidst parts price volatility, with an original target of around £150,000, though current estimates place it around £180,000.