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2009 Rossion Q1: Redefining a Noble Heritage. (Supercars take notice)

admin | News | Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

There is a new player in the supercar arena. And even though Rossion Automotive has successfully appointed the new Q1 with abundant creature comforts - this is still one hell of a beast. The recipe isn’t exactly original. Engineer a world class chassis and suspension, carefully restrict weight to include only the bare essentials, and throw gobs of horsepower and torque into the mix. Delicious. But this is a new approach to the supercar market. And we have to keep tossing that word around, because the Rossion Q1 is just that. Super. It may look a little like a car you already know. But trust us, this car is more than you think it is.

The 2009 Rossion Q1 shares it’s recent heritage with a platform that may seem familiar - the Noble M12, and M400. As the original Noble has taken a different direction for the pending M15 and M600 - The Q1 has been refined to create a unique brand and pedigree.

The Q1 has the same tubular frame, integrated roll cage, and suspension originally designed by lee Noble. It continues the power plant first used in the M400 - a 450 horsepower twin turbo Ford Duratec 3.0L V6 - but uses a more powerful engine management system, and forged internals. The result? A nimble, comfortable, and well mannered street car with asphalt crushing horsepower and torque on demand when your inner Dr. Jekll turns into Mr. Hyde. And with a suspension that can handle 1.4 G’s in stock trim, weekend blasts around local racetracks become, well, a blast!

Rossion Q1: Better than a sum of it’s parts

Technically, for the American consumer, the Q1 is a “component car.” What the hell is that? That’s a dressed up way of saying the Q1 will never be subjected to US crash tests, so it can’t be sold as a complete car, rather as a component or kit car. Rossion will be selling the Q1 as a complete car to the rest of the world, using the same engine and transaxle that is termed “recommended” here in the States. Those recommendations add up to some pretty impressive (estimated*) performance numbers:

0-60: 3.3 seconds

0-100: 8 seconds

Top speed: 185mph

The 2009 Rossion Q1 boasts 450hp/390tq in a scant 2,400 pound package.

The 2009 Rossion Q1 features lightweight forged one-piece monoblock aluminum wheels, 8.5 X 18″ front, and 10.5 X 18″ rear.

The 2009 Rossion Q1 suspension uses upper and lower wishbone in the front and rear, with Bilstein adjustable coilover dampers.

The 2009 Rossion Q1 has a fully integrated roll cage, and bonded/riveted alloy panels. The chassis features a flat bottom under tray with rear diffuser.

Rossion Q1: More Than Noble

Rossion Automotive didn’t simply rebadge an existing car. They’ve implemented over 300 revisions and improvements based on feedback from hundreds of previous Noble owners. The most notable of these changes are the creature comforts. After all, it was pretty difficult to rationalize a $70k + purchase price for earlier cars that didn’t have electric windows, or air conditioning. Let’s face it. If you’re in the market to spend that kind of money on a track-only car, the Rossion Q1 is probably pretty far down your shopping list.

2009 Rossion Q1: A completely redesigned interior is new for this platform. Leather and Alcantara surround this cockpit, with a hint of machined metal finishes. The carbon fiber race seats are designed for full support on track, and supple support on the street.