I drove a Rossion last week

[slaughtr]

Let me say that I am a fan of the Noble. Fast. Light. Beautiful. But the one and only Noble I've driven didn't quite feel complete. Maybe it was the holes in the dash where the radio and speakers were supposed to be. Maybe it was the dash materials, or the exposed roll cage. A great car, but it could be better.

Well, now it is. The Rossion looks great in person. In comparison, the Noble (there were a couple sitting right next to the Rossions) looks like an old car. Like comparing a new car to one from one made couple of decades ago. The Noble is still pretty, but the Rossion is just cleaner and more up to date. They really did a nice job. Some of you have complained about the front air intakes, but the result is very clean to my eye.

As far as the interior, the car is in a very different league than before. Much better materials. In short, it looks like a real car worth the money.

Speed? Blistering, that's all I can say. There seemed to be quite a bit of turbo lag at street speeds, but I think it would be a very different story on the track, where your always on boost, unless you make a mistake, that is. But with the twin turbo's spooled up, you better hold on tight.

The engine compartment is simply gorgeous, with carbon fiber accents and a motor that is so easy to access it makes you wonder why Lotus didn't hinge the clams in the same way. All the issues with the Noble, most notably heat, have been addressed in a number of ways.

So did I buy one?

Stay tuned.

[sleeprfocus]

I saw one at Cars and Coffee Irvine this past Saturday, beautifully made car. I've seen a few Nobles in person and they always still looked like a kit car - bodywork fitment wasn't perfect on most spots, interior looked cheap and unfinished, etc. The Rossion on the other hand looks almost like a factory car. The bodywork fit and finish was excellent, and the interior is simple but sufficiently amenitized for a street-legal track car, with alcantara all around to give it a higher end feel. At the price point of just under $100K for a full turnkey Q1, this looks to be a solid contender for best bang for buck sportscar out there.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by sleeprfocus

I saw one at Cars and Coffee Irvine this past Saturday, beautifully made car. I've seen a few Nobles in person and they always still looked like a kit car - bodywork fitment wasn't perfect on most spots, interior looked cheap and unfinished, etc. The Rossion on the other hand looks almost like a factory car. The bodywork fit and finish was excellent, and the interior is simple but sufficiently amenitized for a street-legal track car, with alcantara all around to give it a higher end feel. At the price point of just under $100K for a full turnkey Q1, this looks to be a solid contender for best bang for buck sportscar out there.

I also like that they changed the interior bits to all brushed aluminum pieces. Small changes like that make a huge difference.

Somehow, I don't know how, it seemed bigger inside, too. I didn't fit at all in the Noble but I was fine in the Rossion. I don't think it is bigger, so I don't know exactly what the difference was.

[Doogles]

but do the windows roll all the way down?

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Doogles

but do the windows roll all the way down?

They don't. Not because there cheap or anything. Just because the bodywork has an abrupt edge that limits how far the window can go. They are electric now, though.

[Randy Chase]

They wanted to enable the windows to go all the way down, but as mentioned it was impossible. Same as the Noble. Really not a big deal for me. It would be nice, but no biggie.

If anyone out here wants to look more into getting a Rossion, talk to me. I will be happy to help. My car will be done next month and I will also be happy to use the car as a factory display vehicle for anyone seriously considering a Rossion.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

They wanted to enable the windows to go all the way down, but as mentioned it was impossible. Same as the Noble. Really not a big deal for me. It would be nice, but no biggie.

If anyone out here wants to look more into getting a Rossion, talk to me. I will be happy to help. My car will be done next month and I will also be happy to use the car as a factory display vehicle for anyone seriously considering a Rossion.

Hey Randy, did you get an orange one like in your avatar? I saw two last week and I really loved the color. I was about to buy one but someone called when I was on my test drive to claim it. Right now, I'm talking to Dean about a Pearl Yellow car with stripes. Both colors are out there a bit, but hey, if your going to have a car like this, why not.

[Randy Chase]

Yep. Mine is Monaco Orange with the black offset racing stripes. Wing. Black leather and alcantara interior with custom orange stitching. Fully loaded. Sat/Nav system. LSD. Can't wait.

To be frank, I am a little concerned about being too out there in terms of scream at me attention whore.... but I hope I get used to it. I enjoyed the silver Noble actually a little more than the yellow Elise for that reason. But for business reasons I want the orange.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Yep. Mine is Monaco Orange with the black offset racing stripes. Wing. Black leather and alcantara interior with custom orange stitching. Fully loaded. Sat/Nav system. LSD. Can't wait.

To be frank, I am a little concerned about being too out there in terms of scream at me attention whore.... but I hope I get used to it. I enjoyed the silver Noble actually a little more than the yellow Elise for that reason. But for business reasons I want the orange.

I saw a car like that there with wheels that had the interiors in orange as well. I know, I know, yuk. But actually, it looked badass. I'm looking at a Pearl yellow with stripes, wing, black interior, black wheels and the regular stereo, no sat nav. My wife wants me to go with a more subtle color...he has a grey with red interior, for instance, but my boy and I are in agreement. The yellow is just badass.

I already have my licence plate picked out.

BMBLBEE

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

They wanted to enable the windows to go all the way down, but as mentioned it was impossible. Same as the Noble. Really not a big deal for me. It would be nice, but no biggie.

If anyone out here wants to look more into getting a Rossion, talk to me. I will be happy to help. My car will be done next month and I will also be happy to use the car as a factory display vehicle for anyone seriously considering a Rossion.

just curious, as this is the second time ive seen you intimate this, do you have any other affiliation to rossion cars besides as a customer?

[Noisycow]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

To be frank, I am a little concerned about being too out there in terms of scream at me attention whore....

-- Nah, I am sure no one will even notice the car

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by evomind

just curious, as this is the second time ive seen you intimate this, do you have any other affiliation to rossion cars besides as a customer?

I have been working with Dean in setting up some sort of affiliation. What that really means, I have no idea. But there is some sort of relationship. We are going to be importing and building the Toniq cars in SoCal, so I may be also doing some stuff with Rossion. A bit of a hobby more than anything.

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by slaughtr

I saw a car like that there with wheels that had the interiors in orange as well. I know, I know, yuk. But actually, it looked badass. I'm looking at a Pearl yellow with stripes, wing, black interior, black wheels and the regular stereo, no sat nav. My wife wants me to go with a more subtle color...he has a grey with red interior, for instance, but my boy and I are in agreement. The yellow is just badass.

I already have my licence plate picked out.

BMBLBEE

The yellow was amazing. The pics on the Internet really do not do it justice.

[swaq]

I am very seriously considering getting a Rossion, but financially I won't be able to for several years. I'm quite jealous of those who have driven it, I'd love to just see one in person.

[IamBatman]

I don't understand why they don't use the LS-7 from the ZO-6. Simple design, better torque, small package, Low CG, light weight, etc. Is it because of the transmission mounting requirements? I dont' know much about the Rossion powertrain layout but it seems like there are better alternatives out there.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I have been working with Dean in setting up some sort of affiliation. What that really means, I have no idea. But there is some sort of relationship. We are going to be importing and building the Toniq cars in SoCal, so I may be also doing some stuff with Rossion. A bit of a hobby more than anything.

cool.

careful, sj morgan might think u are muscling in...

as far as color schemes go, i really like the red one with the offset black stripes....

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by IamBatman

I don't understand why they don't use the LS-7 from the ZO-6. Simple design, better torque, small package, Low CG, light weight, etc. Is it because of the transmission mounting requirements? I dont' know much about the Rossion powertrain layout but it seems like there are better alternatives out there.

What is the cost of the LS-7? The Duratec is $4100 brand new with upgraded internals.

How much more torque does one need? Mine is now at 480 pounds and the car is under 2400 pounds.

I don't know... but like the Lotus, they have some business arrangements for the engine supplier, the Getrag tranny.. they develop a fitment. I know the new Noble M600 is using a bigger engine. But then it is over $200k

[IamBatman]

aah I see your point. The LS-7 is crate motor is like $14 Grand, maybe $8k if you buy as OEM. does the 4K include Tubos & IC etc?

[Randy Chase]

No. That is a crate replacement engine. Pretty cheap though. Makes it easier to not worry about blowing up an engine.

[slaughtr]

As of today, the yellow car is mine.

I know what you mean about worrying about being an attention whore, Randy. I certainly could have gone with the grey, but, what the heck, I don't care what other people think (including my wife and daughter, who hate the yellow), I just think it looks awesome.