| Manufacturer | Lotus Cars |
|---|---|
| Production | 1990–1992 |
| Predecessor | Lotus Cortina |
| Class | Sports saloon |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | V-body |
| Engine | 3.6 L C36GET I6 TT |
| Transmission | 6-speed ZF manual |
| Related | Opel Omega |
The Lotus Carlton (in mainland Europe, the Lotus Omega) was a Vauxhall Carlton (Opel Omega) saloon upgraded by Lotus Cars to be a 177 mph (285 km/h) sports sedan with acceleration to equal contemporary supercars. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation — Type 104 in this case. The external differences were minimal with the addition of a rear spoiler, air intakes on the bonnet, Lotus badges on the front wings and bootlid, a bodykit and considerably wider wheel arches distinguishing it from a standard Carlton.[1] The car was only sold in one colour, a shade of British racing green called Imperial Green, a very dark green that in anything but direct light appears black.
Lotus' modifications started with an upgraded engine, which was stroked from the standard Opel 2969 cc 24v straight six unit, used in the GSi, to a capacity of 3615 cc.[2] Lotus then added twin Garrett T25 turbochargers to give 377 horsepower (281 kW) and 419 foot-pounds (568 N·m).[3] The original engine block was not strong enough and therefore a new under block was cast. The same six-speed manual ZF transmission as fitted to a contemporary Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 was used to transfer this power to the rear wheels via a rear limited-slip differential from the V8 Holden Commodore. The suspension was modified by Lotus, with the rear suspension mounting to the body at more, different points, and self-leveling dampers.[4] Large 17" wheels from Ronal were fitted, along with wider tyres. Large brakes were added.[2]
The car was capable of 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds and had 12.5 in (330 mm) AP ventilated disc brakes with racing calipers all round. The car could hit around 50 mph (80 km/h) in first gear and achieve 0-100 mph and back to a complete stop in less than 15 seconds. The Lotus Carlton held the title of the fastest four door saloon car for some years.
Production of the Lotus Carlton began in 1990, four years after the original Carlton went on sale. Opel had hoped to build 1,100 cars in total, but owing to the recession of the early 1990s, the £48,000 cars were not selling as well as anticipated and production at Lotus was halted in December 1992. Only 950 cars were completed: 320 Carltons and 630 Omegas, 150 short of the original target. The cars are now starting to become modern classics as low mileage, well looked after examples become rare. As of 2007, values ranged between approximately £12k and £20k.[5]
The Carltons were a favorite target of joy-riders and other thieves, which posed a problem for the police, who had nothing quicker than the 24V Senator Bs. A gang of robbers used one in a string of ramraids of liquor stores and newsagents, stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes and alcohol. The small 'panda cars' used in urban policing were limited to just 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), leaving police unable to give chase.[6]
While the base Omega A and the Lotus Carlton/Omega were never federalized for sale in the USA, the Lotus Omega is now allowed to be imported into the USA under the DOT's "Show and Display" exemption.[7]
Specifications
Performance comparisons
