Noble M12 GTO


 All-round double wishbones, adjustable dampers, 330mm Alcon stoppers and 265mmwide rear tyres hinted at track potential, while a 2.5-litre Ford Duratec V6 used twin Garrett turbochargers to elicit breakneck starts and deeply impressive in-gear sprints from the car’s meagre 980kg mass.

Tractability was good from low revs, but the blowers really started to tell around 2500rpm; pace matched the Porsche 911 GT2 to 120mph. The combined noise from the intake, turbos and exhaust was all-enveloping. The Mondeo-derived five-speed manual ’box was quick and affable, and ABS-free brakes were dazzlingly effective.

Grip astonished in both the dry and wet, and the chassis was a masterclass in control and response. Limits were high but needed respect in the absence of ESP. The quick, power-assisted steering lacked feel and resistance, though, making the helm feel edgy. The ride aped a larger Lotus Elise: minimal body roll with a flowing, comfortable attitude over tricky roads.

The interior was roomy and nicely finished but lacked seating adjustability.

What happened next: The 2003-only M12 GTO-3 upped engine capacity to 3.0 litres and was good for 340bhp; then the GTO-3R added a sixth gear, LSD, new alloys and a restyled nose. The track-munching, 425bhp M400 followed before founder Lee Noble sold up in 2006.

Noble Automotive’s current model, the McLaren F1-baiting Noble M600, uses a Yamaha-designed 650bhp V8 and can reach 225mph, with the entry-level 500bhp V6 M500 on the way.

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