Vauxhall Carlton

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The Vauxhall Carlton is an executive car produced by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom from 1978 to 1994.

[edit] Mark 1 (1978–86)

The first Vauxhall Carlton was introduced in the autumn of 1978 as a replacement for the ageing VX1800/VX2000 saloons. Based on the Opel Rekord, but with Vauxhall's startling 'droop snoot' front end that featured no traditional grille, it was a traditional large saloon or estate with rear-wheel drive and a spacious, comfortable interior. Power came from 1.8 and 2.0 carburettor engines which gave reasonable performance, refinement and economy. There were some impressive options available, including centralised door locking, alloy wheels and electric windows, which in the late 1970s were rare equipment on mainstream cars.

A facelift for the 1983 model year saw the disappearance of the 'droop snoot' front, in favour of one shared with Opel. This also marked the end of Rekord sales as the Opel brand was being phased out in the UK.

[edit] Mark 2 (1986–94)

Although the Carlton nameplate remained on British Vauxhalls, Opel was badging the all-new executive car the Omega rather than the Rekord. New to the Carlton's line up were two impressive In-Line 6 engines with 2.6 and 3.0 litres. Originally, these were 12-valve engines, but later models offered a 24-valve version producing much more power and torque. As well, Vauxhall used the "Dual-Ram" intake manifold, which lets the car breathe as 2 3-cylinder engines below 4000RPM, but changes the intake manifold profile at 4000RPM to increase the runner length, thus increasing total engine output. On its launch at the end of 1986 the Vauxhall Carlton saloon and estate range earned itself the accolade of European Car of the Year. Vauxhall's comfortable, well equipped and refined cruiser was a direct competitor for the Ford Granada/Scorpio, Rover 800 Series and Renault 25. It proved hugely popular in the fleet market with managing directors as well as other buyers who could afford to buy it.

In 1990, Vauxhall launched a high performance 377bhp Carlton in collaboration with Lotus Cars. It was built with a 3615cc six-cylinder twin-turbo engine (designated C36GET) capable of 175mph, making it officially (for the time) the fastest full four seater ever made. It cost nearly £50,000—well over double the value of a standard Carlton. For those with less money there was the 3000GSi 24-valve, with a top speed of nearly 150mph.

In the spring of 1994, Vauxhall scrapped the Carlton nameplate and adopted the Omega nameplate, bringing it into line with Europe.