Lotus Carlton

Infobox Automobile
name=Lotus Carlton
aka=Opel Lotus Omega
manufacturer=General Motors
production=1990–1992
platform=FR V-body
related=Opel Omega
Vauxhall Carlton
engine=3.6 L "C36GET" I6
transmission=6-speed ZF manual
class=Sports car
body_style=4-door saloon
predecessor=Lotus Cortina
Successor=Vauxhall VXR8

The Lotus Carlton (in mainland Europe, the Lotus Omega) was a Vauxhall Carlton saloon upgraded by Lotus Cars to be a 177 mph (285 kph) sports car. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation — Type 104 in this case. The external differences were minimal to the five seater with only the rear spoiler, air intakes on the bonnet, Lotus badges on the front wings and bootlid, and considerably wider wheel arches telling it apart from any other Carlton. 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 included an upgraded engine, which was stroked from the standard Vauxhall 2969 cc 24v straight six unit, used in the GSi, to a capacity of 3615 cc. Lotus then added twin Garrett T25 turbochargers to give 382 hp (281 kW). A six-speed manual ZF transmission from a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 was used to transfer this power to the rear wheels. 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.

Production of the Lotus Carlton began in 1990, four years after the original Carlton went on sale. General Motors (the parent company of Vauxhall, Opel and - at the time - Lotus) had hoped to build 1,100 cars in total, but due 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 Lotus Carlton and Omega were never federalized for sale in the USA, but as of 2007 the Lotus Omega is allowed to be imported into the USA under the DOT's "Show and Display" exemption. It is unknown if any have been imported.

Performance and Comparisons

Specifications [cite web
url = http://www.carsplusplus.com/specs1990/opel_lotus_omega.php
title = Cars++ Specifications for Lotus Omega
accessdate = 2007-09-11]

*Top speed - 175+ mph (281+ km/h),real 195 mph (313 km/h)
*Peak power - 377 hp (281 kW) @ 5200 rpm
*Acceleration - 0-60 mph: 4.9 sec., 0-100 mph: 11.5 sec./0-100 km/h: 5,2 sec., 0-160 km/h: 11,5 sec.
*Peak torque - 419 ft·lbf / 568 N·m @ 4200
*Engine displacement - 3615 cc
*Engine type - Twin turbocharged straight six-cylinder
*Configuration - Front-engined, rear-wheel drive
*Transmission - Six-speed ZF manual
*Weight - 3666 lbs (1663 kg)
*Production - 950 units
*Price - £48,000

Performance Comparisons

* 1989-1994 Alpina B10 BiTurbo - 360 hp 0-60 mph - 5.6 s. Top speed: 182 mph (291 km/h)
* 1989-1995 BMW M5 E34 - 315/340 hp 0-60 mph - 6.3 / 5.9 s. Top speed (electronically limited): 155 mph (250 km/h)
* 1991-1995 Mercedes-Benz 500 E W124 - 326 hp 0-60 mph - 6.2 sec. Top speed (electronically limited): 155 mph (250 km/h)

References

External links

* [http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3359/lotus20omega20f3q350kh8.jpgPhoto]