Why The Monstrous Lotus Carlton Is A Proper 90s Hero
Source: Classicandperformancecar.comGeneral Motors bought Lotus in 1986, the same year Vauxhall launched its very competent new Carlton saloon. A favourite of area sales managers and airport-based taxi drivers, the Carlton (or Opel Omega in German) could easily stand up against the BMW 5-Series. Then in 1989 the sneaky Bavarians launched an amazing new M5. Vauxhall had to answer the challenge, and boy did they.
Vauxhall gave Lotus a 24-valve Carlton 3000GSi, already a fine car, and told them to just go nuts. Which the Norfolkers did, making everything more... massive. The wheels were massive, the bodykit was massive, the exhausts were massive and the engine was positively gigantic. The original 3.0-litre straight-six unit was stretched out to 3.6-litres for starters, then Lotus strapped two huge Garrett turbos to it.
The Lotus Carlton's numbers were eye-watering at the time and are still pretty impressive today. 377bhp and 419lb/ft of torque is never to be sniffed at. The performance those figures produced was so extreme it made headlines in the national press. The 0-60mph time of 5.1 seconds was incredible, but it was the 177mph top speed that caused all the fuss.
Image source: www.classicandperformancecar.comTabloid editors were infuriated and questions were asked in Parliament. They thought an otherwise ordinary family saloon capable of such epic speed was an open invitation to drive irresponsibly. The police weren't happy either, as their shiny new fleet of Vauxhall Senators could only manage 150mph. They all tried to have the LC banned and they may have had a point. It instantly became the car of choice for joyriders, ram-raiders and getaway drivers.
But Vauxhall resisted and didn't even fit a 155mph limiter, as Mercedes, BMW and Audi had just agreed to do. No doubt the authorities were pissed off, but us petrolheads were left with one of the greatest super saloons of all time.
Source: Topgear.comFortunately the handling matched the power. The base Carlton was good anyway, but Lotus beefed up the suspension, steering and brakes so it could monster your favourite stretch of tarmac. Or if you preferred to go sideways, the limited-slip-differential made ludicrous drifts laughably easy. But it was still a big old bus and it's a bit soft and heavy today, especially the six-seed gearbox which was pilfered from the Corvette ZR1.
Regardless, it's still hugely fast and its boardroom-spec interior and pliant ride make it a very comfortable long-distance blatter. It's even a bit stealthy (if not exactly subtle) thanks to the almost-black Imperial Green colour.
Image source: carinpicture.comThe Lotus Carlton was only in production for two years and a recession meant sales were slow (it was £48,000). Around 320 came to the UK and less than 100 are left. It was certainly controversial, but its performance set a standard for super saloons that has only recently been met. And for that, we salute the Lotus Carlton!
Built: 1990-1992Engine: 3615cc, 24-valve, straight-six, turbochargedPower: 377bhpTorque: 419lb/ft0-60mph: 5.1 secondsTop speed: 177mphGearbox: Six-speed manualWeight: 1662kg
Tiff Needell takes a Lotus Carlton for a thrash
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