The M12 GTO has always been a race car built for the road, the GTO-3 version has seen the engine increase in size from a 2.5-litre to a 3-litre which develops an extra 40 bhp.

The GTO has a transversely mounted Ford Duratec engine housed within a space frame chassis. The engine is very accessible as rather than a small hatch or panel being lifted over the engine to gain access the Nobles entire rear end tilts back similar to the Ultima GTR. The power plant also uses two Garrett T25 turbo chargers which effectively increase power with minimal lag.

The body of the GTO is entirely made of composite materials reducing weight dramatically. It features a large carbon fibre rear wing and front splitter to increase down force, which brings us on to what Noble is all about, handling. The founder of Noble Automotive Ltd, Lee Noble is man with extensive knowledge on how to create a good handling car, so much so that TVR went to him when developing the Sagaris in their quest to create a car which was slightly more manageable. It becomes apparent very quickly with the M12 that this car was built to handle, would you expect anything less from a man known to hate under steer? Minimal driver aids, no traction control or ABS allow the driver to experience the true definition of a drivers car.

The M12 GTO 3 has an impressive power to weight ratio of 335.24 bhp/ton. Weighting almost 700lbs lighter than a Ferrari Enzo, the M12 GTO makes good use of all its bhp.

The M12 GTO 3 performs as well as a Ferrari and yet launch price was set at £48,000, which needless to say was considered a bargain and kept Noble’s order books full.