Noble M12
The Noble M12 is a two-door, two-seat sports car manufactured by Noble Automotive.
Noble M12 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Noble |
Production | 2000–2008 |
Assembly | Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Hi-Tech Automotive) |
Designer | Lee Noble |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Sports car |
Body style | 2-door coupé |
Layout | Transversely-mounted, rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
Related | Noble M400 Salica GT Rossion Q1 |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
|
Transmission | 6-speed Getrag manual |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,438 mm (96.0 in) |
Length | 4,089 mm (161.0 in) |
Width | 1,828 mm (72.0 in) |
Height | 1,143 mm (45.0 in) |
Curb weight | 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) (M12 GTO-3R) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Noble M10 |
Successor | Noble M14 |
Variants
The coupe evolved through four versions of Noble cars, with the M400 as the ultimate version of the M12, and is followed by the M12 GTO-3R. Only 220 Noble GTO-3Rs and M400s were imported to the U.S. They are the only Nobles available to the American market. [1] [2] The U.S. production rights to the M12s and M400s were sold in February 2007 to 1G Racing from Ohio. Due to high demand of these cars, 1G Racing (now Rossion Automotive) released its own improved car based on the M400, named Rossion Q1. Another company which is also producing a model developed from the M12 is Salica Cars 1 with their Salica GT and Salica GTR.
Performance
Like the Noble M10, the Noble M12 is a two-door, two-seat model, originally planned both as a coupé and as a convertible. All M12s have been powered by modified bi-turbocharged Ford Duratec V6 engines. The M12 has a full steel roll cage, steel frame, and G.R.P. (fiberglass) composite clam shell body parts. Although looking to be track derived, the M12 is a street-legal vehicle, ready for both road and track. The M12 has no anti-roll bars, allowing for a comfortable feel.
Car | Displacement | Power | Torque |
---|---|---|---|
Twin-turbocharged Ford Duratec V6 engine | |||
Noble M12 GTO[3] | 2,544 cc (2.5 L; 155.2 cu in) | 310 bhp (314 PS; 231 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 320 lb⋅ft (434 N⋅m) at 3,500 rpm |
Noble M12 GTO-3[4] | 2,967 cc (3.0 L; 181.1 cu in) | 352 bhp (357 PS; 262 kW) at 6,200 rpm | 350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m) at 3,500 - 5,000 rpm |
Noble M12 GTO-3R[5] | |||
Noble M400[6] | 425 bhp (431 PS; 317 kW) at 6,500 rpm | 390 lb⋅ft (529 N⋅m) at 5,000 rpm | |
Rossion Q1[7] | 450 bhp (456 PS; 336 kW) at 5,800 rpm | 390 lb⋅ft (529 N⋅m) at 4,400 rpm | |
Salica GT | 3.5L | 460 bhp (343 kW; 466 PS) | |
Salica GTR | 550 bhp (410 kW; 558 PS) | ||
Salica GTC | 500 bhp (373 kW; 507 PS) |
The Noble M12 GTO-3R is equipped with Garrett T25 twin turbos. Weight is 2,381 lb (1,080 kg). Acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 seconds was published in the official brochure of the M12 GTO-3R,[5] Road & Track indicated a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) performance of 3.3 seconds, but subsequently listed it as 3.5 seconds. Top speed is listed as 185 mph (298 km/h) and lateral Gs are reported in excess of 1.2.
The Noble M400 is equipped with Garrett T28 Twin-turbos. Weight is 2,337 lb (1,060 kg).[6]
The Rossion Q1 has a weight of 2,300 lb (1,043 kg) and can accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.4 seconds (company spec).[7]
The Salica GT has a weight of 2,255 lb (1,023 kg) and the Salica GTC has a weight of 2,300 lb (1,000 kg)
The only convertible variant (the M12 GTC) was shown at motor shows but was canceled, and was never produced by Noble. In 2008, Salica Cars proposed the Salica GTC, offered both as a complete car and a conversion kit to transform an M12/400 coupe into a convertible.
References
- "2004 Noble M12 GTO 2.5".
- "Noble Automotive".
- "1999 Noble M12 GTO". carfolio.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- "2002 Noble M12 GTO-3". carfolio.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- "2003 Noble M12 GTO-3R". carfolio.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- "2004 Noble M400". carfolio.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- "Technical specifications". rossioncars.com. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
External links
- "Noble M12 GTO-3R (2003)". www.automobile-sportive.com.