Alex Unleashed on Cars- Noble M12 GTO (It came it conquered, then disappeared)

 

If I told you that the Noble M12’s engine was from a Ford Mondeo, you wouldn’t think too much of it. But if I told you that it will do 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and has 2 turbochargers, then you’d perhaps take notice.

The M12 was the second car made by Noble, the first was the M10, a rather puffy looking cabrio targeted at Boxster & Chimera buyers. But when the M12 came out in 2000 it was targeted at more upmarket cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, TVR Cerbera Speed Six & BMW M Coupe, but it wouldn’t be too much of a push to suggest it could hold its own with a 911 Turbo or Ferrari 360, Why? Because it weighed 1080 KG, had a 310 BHP and 320 Ib ft of Torque  2.5 litre V6 with twin turbos and would top 160 flat out, not to mention the highly praised handling and vented disc brakes. 

It's also important to note that the M12 was mid-engined (which was very unique for a British sports car) and that helps with weight distribution and stability.

Upon launch the M12 was instantly a hit. It was awarded the title of Driver’s Car of the Year 2001 by Top Gear Magazine, went head-to-head with the BMW M Coupe and the Lotus Exige at the Nürburgring and also made it into their top 100 cars of the past 100 issues despite being from a company hardly anyone had heard of, and I think part of it's appeal comes from that as it was a very modern take on a British sports car similar to some extent to the Lotus Elise (which was also mid-engined) with both being more track-focussed sports cars rather than being more traditional front-engined V8 coupes.

Journalists overall have rated the Noble very highly, they liked the TVR performance and the Lotus handling. Later it got an uprated 3 litre engine out of the Mondeo ST220, bumping power to 355 BHP and the top speed up to 175 MPH. What’s more, it was known to have a respectable ride, along with both aircon and a radio as options making it a happy middle ground between the spartan Lotus Elise and the more well-trimmed TVR Tuscan along with being surprisingly civilised for a car of its type. But what was most surprising was that this car had come out of nowhere and was now viewed as possibly the best car of its type and if anything, proof that the lightweight but heavy hitting British sports car still had a place in the ever modernising world of Motoring.

But, sadly in 2006 the breakout M12 was discontinued along with the even more upgraded M400 and M15 concept as the head (Lee Noble) left the company and thus the M12 was forgotten and left to rest alongside the likes of Jensen & Marcos.

But thankfully Noble is back and here to stay and this is the car that first put Noble on the map as an amazing sports car maker that even without the heritage was more than capable of taking the fight to the very best sports cars in the business and showing what can be done with humdrum parts and expert knowledge of how to make an amazing sports car.

Year produced: 2000-2007 

Engine 2.5-3 litre V6 Twin Turbo

Power: 310-355 BHP

Torque: 320- 350 Ib.ft

0-60: 4.4-3.7 Seconds

Top Speed: 155-165 MPH

Weight: 980-1080 KG

Price: £45,180- £49,950

Rivals: BMW M Coupe, TVR Cerbera/Tuscan, Porsche 911 GT3, Lotus Exige

 


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