Noble M500 Review Puts a Manual V6 Supercar Under the Microscope

According to Autocar, the Noble M500 has been put through a full road test, and the reviewer's starting point is what the car leaves out. The lightweight coupe, priced at £180,000, is built around a turbocharged V6 and a manual gearbox, with a back-to-basics approach that stands out in a segment increasingly defined by electronics.

The review lists a long run of missing features. Electronic stability control and torque vectoring are absent, as are airbags, anti-lock braking, a driven front axle, an automatic gearbox and driver assistance systems. Even the seatbelt reminder chime is not fitted, a detail Autocar treats as a telling example of the car's philosophy.

Autocar puts the car's power-to-weight figure at 413bhp per tonne and notes that its wheelbase is only slightly longer than that of a Volkswagen Polo. The publication's headline verdict is that the M500 is a strong driver's car at its price, though the review's central tension is whether that experience is what buyers at this level want.

Noble, a small British manufacturer, has positioned the M500 as an unfiltered alternative to mainstream performance cars. The report frames the design as a bet that owners who can handle that much power relative to weight will value direct feedback over assistance.

Further performance measurements and detailed lap results are not covered in this report.

Background

Noble Automotive is a small British specialist known for limited-run sports cars, with its best-known lineage tracing back to the M12 line. Low-volume manufacturers like Noble usually work with far smaller development budgets than large carmakers, which shapes decisions about electronics, safety systems and how much engineering goes into each model.

Over the past two decades, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and airbags have moved from optional extras to standard equipment on most new cars. Many markets now set minimum safety requirements for new vehicles, though the rules differ by country and small makers have sometimes worked within special approval routes. The review does not describe how the M500 is certified for sale, so nothing here should be read as a statement about its legal status in any particular market.

The manual gearbox has also become rare in high-performance cars. Dual-clutch and automatic transmissions now dominate, offering quicker shifts and easier daily use, and many manufacturers have dropped the manual entirely from their flagship models.

Lightweight design is a long-standing approach in motorsport and specialist road cars. Removing mass can sharpen steering, braking and throttle response, and it can reduce the load on tyres and brakes. The trade-off is that the car depends more heavily on the skill of the driver and on the quality of the basic mechanical setup, with fewer electronic systems to correct mistakes.

Turbocharged V6 engines are common in performance cars, combining compact packaging with substantial torque. Their character depends largely on tuning, boost delivery and how the engine is mated to the rest of the drivetrain.

Why it matters

The M500 sits at the center of a debate that has been running for years. Enthusiasts argue that electronic aids can dull the connection between driver and car, and that a purer machine rewards skill and attention. Critics counter that stability systems, airbags and braking aids have saved lives and that a modern car is expected to protect its occupants in a crash or a skid, regardless of how fast it is.

The price adds another layer. At £180,000, the car is aimed at a small group of buyers, many of whom may treat it as a collectible as well as a road car. That raises questions about how the model will be valued, serviced and insured over time, particularly if its equipment list makes it less suitable for everyday use.

The car also says something about the wider market. As mainstream performance cars become more digitally managed, a limited-production model that deliberately omits those systems stands out. Its reception may signal whether there is durable demand for analog driving in an era of electrification and advanced assistance.

For Noble, the stakes are reputational as well as commercial. A strong review helps a small maker build credibility, but it also draws attention to the trade-offs that buyers and regulators will weigh.

What to watch

The most useful next step will be independent testing that goes beyond the first impressions of a single review. Readers will want to see braking distances, handling data and how the car behaves at the limit under different conditions.

Availability is another open question. Buyers will want to know which markets the M500 is offered in, how many examples are planned, and what the delivery process looks like for a low-volume maker.

Resale and insurance will also be closely watched. Whether the absence of standard safety systems affects how the car is valued or covered is a practical matter for anyone considering a purchase.

Finally, watch whether other specialist manufacturers follow Noble's approach or whether mainstream carmakers respond with more driver-focused options in their own performance models.