Performance Review: Noble M12 GTO 3R - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Noble M12 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Noble M12 GTO 3R is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Noble M12 has a 2968cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The M12 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the M12's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1080 kgs (2380 lbs) this makes the Noble M12 GTO 3R in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 or the give or take 50kg.

The Noble M12 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 2968cc 24V V6 engine produces 352 bhp (262 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 350 lb-ft (474.5 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Noble M12 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Mercedes SLS Electric Drive AMG (350.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Noble M12.

The Noble M12 has a Power to weight ratio of 325.9 bhp per ton and 324.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 M12 competing with the 2013 Mercedes SLS Electric Drive AMG (350.7 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 PDK 992 (350.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Noble M12 generating around 324.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S (349.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Ferrari Monza SP2 6.5L V12 (348.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Noble M12 GTO 3R as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Noble M12 GTO 3R is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the M12 and the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS

When talking about the performance of the Noble M12 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.94 secs @ 114.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (11.89 secs), the 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (11.89 secs), and the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (11.91 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Noble M12 GTO 3R has a maximum speed of 170mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 M12 equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Noble M12 GTO 3R then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph), the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (181 mph), or the 2019 Aston-Martin DBX 4.0 V8 Turbo (181 mph).

Related Links:

2003 M12 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Noble

Car Comparison