Performance Review: Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Noble M12 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 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 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 980 kgs (2160 lbs) this makes the Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Noble M12 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2595cc 24V V6 engine produces 310 bhp (231 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 320 lb-ft (433.8 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 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 and 326.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 M12 competing with the 2014 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (340.7 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo R35 (340.7 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 326.5 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 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12 (351.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (350.9 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 2.6 V6 Turbo 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 2.6 V6 Turbo 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 Maserati Levante Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the M12 and the 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Coupe 2d

When talking about the performance of the Noble M12 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.09 secs @ 113.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Coupe 2d (12.05 secs), the 1969 Dodge Charger 7.0L Daytona Hemi (12.05 secs), and the 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB (12.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. 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 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 M12 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Noble

Car Comparison