First Oz look: Pagani and Noble blast in

TWO of the world’s most formidable supercars – the Pagani Zonda and Noble M12 GTO-3R - have been made available Down Under courtesy of Australian MG and Rover distributor Motor Group Australia.

On sale now following their Australian premiere at the Melbourne motor show, the Italian and British supercars differ greatly in design, technology and price, but both cars offer no shortage of performance.

The Pagani Zonda is the car that beat off Lamborghini’s new Murcielago to claim Evo magazine’s 2002 Performance Car of the Year award in the UK.

Constructed from composite materials including carbon-fibre, the mid-engined, rear-drive Zonda is powered by a longitudinal Mercedes-Benz AMG-tuned 7.3-litre V12 producing 408kW at 5900rpm and 750Nm of torque at 4050rpm.

Zonda also features a six-speed tranamission, self-locking differential, standard traction control, twin-plate clutch, four-piston Brembo callipers all round, 355mm front rotors, 335mm rear rotors, ABS, rack-and-pinion power steering, 19-inch alloy wheels, 255/35-section front and 345/30-section rear Michelin Pilot tyres, double A-arm rear suspension and Ohlins adjustable dampers.

On sale now at a price of around $1.4 million, the Pagani Zonda roadster features a removable carbon-fibre and cloth roof and measures 4395mm long, 2055mm wide and 1151mm high, with a wheelbase of 2730mm and a dry weight of 1280kg.

Offering the same 3.7-second 0-100km/h performance for around $1.2 million, the Pagani Zonda coupe won’t be available until mid-year. MGA, which now holds the import rights for both brands in Australia, New Zealand and some Asian markets, says it already has one firm buyer.

Since launching in the UK in 2000, the Noble M12 has gone on to spawn three different Porsche 911 Turbo-rivalling variants, and it’s the range-topping GTO-3R that will be the sole Noble sold here.

Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 262kW and 475Nm of torque, the built-to-order GTO-3R has become a benchmark among British supercar aficionados for its blistering performance, dynamics and value.

Priced at $195,000 and weighing only 1080kg, the Noble claims to offer unrivalled performance per dollar, dashing to 100km/h in an estimated 3.7 seconds – half a second quicker than the current supercar benchmark set by the 911 Turbo.

“I always wanted to design a car that was civilised and spacious, rode well, and that anyone could drive fast without feeling intimidated. The Noble M12 GTO-3R represents the pinnacle of that ideal,” said the car’s designer Lee Noble.

Added MGA managing director Michel De Vriendt: “With its combination of outstanding performance, style and everyday drivability we are confident it will carve its own niche in the upper sports car market.

“Its appeal is to those drivers who not only want something that is unique, but can deliver performance that is unquestionably without peer. The Noble represents the fastest road registerable vehicle currently available in Australia.”