2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo Review and Performance Comparison

Noble M12 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo is a powered by a Petrol V 6. This variant of the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.

This particular Noble M12 has a 2595cc Turbo Petrol powerplant driven by the Noble Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 6's include the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The M12 shares its Petrol V 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2024 Maserati GT2 Stradale.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the M12's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 980 kgs (2160 lbs) places the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo in a similar weight category as the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the excellent 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The Noble M12 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC (300 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 2595cc 24 valve, V 6 engine produces around 310 bhp (231 kW) @ 6000 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC (300 bhp) and also the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (328 bhp).

The Turbo V 6 throws out 320 lb-ft (433.8 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 BYD Han L LiDAR Premium (310 lb-ft) or the 2025 BYD Han L LiDAR Flagship (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2001 Noble M12 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2014 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (340.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Noble M12.

The Noble M12 has a power to weight ratio of 316.3 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2001 M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo means you're competing with the 2014 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (340.7 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2015 Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo R35 (340.7 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo generates around 326.5 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12 (351.0 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (350.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo can accelerate 0–60mph in 3.90 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.0 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo include the 2023 Toyota Supra GR A91-MT Edition (3.90 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Premium (3.90 secs).

The V 6 engine of the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) and the 2024 Mercedes CLE Class CLE 53 4MATIC+ (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo and the Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2001 Noble M12 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.04 secs with a trap speed around 113.1 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (12.05 seconds @ 113.0 mph) and a close race between the Mercedes GT C AMG Roadster (12.05 seconds @ 113.0 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2001 version of the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 M12 equals the Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo then there's the slightly slower the Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 (154 mph) or how about the impressive Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI Performance DSG 2.0 Turbo (154 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2001 M12 Rivals List.
• 2001 M12: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Noble
• Compare the 2001 Noble M12