1990-1993 Lotus Carlton & Omega - The Most Controversial Car of the 90's
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- The Omega, also known as the Opel Omega in most markets, was a large executive car produced by General Motors from 1986 to 2003. It was the successor to the Opel Rekord and was intended to compete with other European executive cars, offering a balance of performance, comfort, and technology.
The Omega was available in various body styles, including sedan and wagon, and offered a range of engines from more economical four-cylinder options to powerful six-cylinder and V8 engines. The Lotus Carlton was based on the Omega, with extensive modifications by Lotus to improve its performance.
The Lotus Carlton, produced in limited numbers between 1990 and 1992, was a high-performance variant of the Vauxhall Carlton saloon. It was developed by Lotus Engineering, combining the car's practical design with exceptional power.
Powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, it produced 377 horsepower, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds, a remarkable figure for its time.
The Lotus Carlton's aggressive performance was paired with a refined, luxury-oriented interior and exceptional handling, making it one of the most capable saloon cars of the era. Despite its relatively low production numbers, only 950 units, 320 x Carlton and 630 x Omega.
While the Omega was generally regarded as a solid and reliable family car, the Lotus-tuned Carlton and Omega elevated the model to the level of a high-performance sports sedan. Both cars became iconic in their respective niches for their blend of luxury, practicality, and engineering excellence.
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This is my absolute dream car. When I was a kid, my father had a Opel Omega (sold here in Brazil as Chevy Omega) with the 3L engine, and Ive wanted one ever since. When i found out about the Lotus version, my mind blow. Right now im in the process of making a inspired replica of the Lotus, by 3D printing the bodykit pieces so I can use them to make fiber glass molds.
Hello and I feel the same about the Lotus, a number of years ago over here, I followed one for a short while, untill they hit the gas and it was gone. Good luck with your build, sounds interesting and would be nice to see some images of the completed car. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
I had the Carlton GSi 3000 24v the last of them a 93 plate even that was fast did over 150mph. Now i have money id love to buy a Lotus Carlton but the prices they go for in the UK are crazy.
Hello, the GSI was a really nice car and I agree, the price for the Lotus Carlton's, has gone meteoric. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Great video due to the details and specification of each component. Well done !
Hello and really glad you enjoyed this video. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
That was probably the best car doc I've ever seen. Absolutely awesome 👏
My Dad had a Carlton in....88/89. We all loved that car.
Hello and thanks for your comment, it's greatly appreciated.
A friend acquired a Vauxhall Carlton Special Vehicle which was hand built by a select group of Engineers within the Special Projects Team (or whatever they were called).
This thing was a covert rocketship!
There was a specific reason its creation had been authorised and he found that out prior to getting the car.
It was an outstanding street sleeper and an absolute credit to the Engineers whom made it possible...
Opel has Irmscher.
Hello, that sounds a very interesting car, was it one of the Carlton' TS6000's with the Chevy V8's? Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Hello, yes Irmscher and Opel have worked together for many years. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated
I remember reading about this car as a teen back in the 90's. I really hope to see one some day. Very cool. Thank you.
Hello and I agree, a great car. A number of years ago, I followed one for a short distance until the driver, hit the accelerator and it was gone. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
I seen them regularly in the 90s on the road
Hello and I have seen a few, not many and even less these days. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
What an incredible peice of engineering ❤
Hello and absolutely, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
The manufacture listed specifications were dumbed down a little in an attempt to quell outrage in the media who led a campaign to have the car banned. It lived upto the hype a saloon so fast when Autocar tested it against the era's top super cars it beat everything on the track except the Ferrari F40. You could hit 0-60 in first gear & officially it's top speed was 174 mph but insiders knew it could go closer to 190 mph.
Hello and totally agree, some very good points. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
I owned a Vauxhall Royale back in the early 90s, the thing was like a very plush boat that drank petrol like there was no tomorrow. I swapped it for Rover SD1, the 3.5l version, and that car was a dream to drive but my favourite back then was the Manta I had in red and then another one on an A plate in gold.
Hello, the Royales were I nice car, but you were lucky enough to own a couple of Manta's, which are a car I have always liked. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated
mantas rule! ive had a few of em i was fixing up an exclusive coupe ready to drop in a 2.2 motor with a stage 3 head and 4 branch but some k - hunt vandalised it and after i didnt bother with it as it felt like it had been cursed or something .i had it sprayed by a mate an i fitted princess 4 pots . it would have been nippy with the 2.2
Just as a note, the 176mph was on the Nardo ring where no car can achieve its top speed as the high load banking. The lead engineer I chatted to at Lotus said it actually did 187 mph on the Autobahn. I've had mine for nearly 30 years. Good video and unlike many full of accurate facts. Autocar achieved 4.8 to 60.
Hello, I heard of that test track in Italy and thanks for sharing these details, very interesting and informative. How is your Carlton going, a nice car. Thanks for your comment, greatly appreciated.
My dream car, great video thanks ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hello and I agree, thanks for your comment, it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for you video and i have owned Lotus 778 Since 2000 and i have had some problems but what a car, but what a car and still holds its own now.
Hello and thanks for your comment, it's greatly appreciated.
USA here never heard of the car but its looks good. Great backstory on it too. I luv TH-cam for information like this
Hello and thanks, we do have some classic cars over here, but you guys got the muscle car. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Usa is a shell 😂
Well what can I say after watching this!!
I’m 70 now and was in the thick of this!
I was given the SMT Edinburgh’s first car for a week as I knew Bill Dryden from the days of modified then super saloons .
I’d dropped in to see the car and was asked if I’d like to take it out!!
How could I refuse !!
At the time I was driving a 911 turbo .
In my younger days I’d owned a droop snoot Firenza that had been worked on by SMT Perth with a full Blydenstein motor on 48 Dellorto’s LSD revised suspension and brakes originally owned by Greham Walker.
Anyhoo I had the car all that week and did over 1000 miles then on the Thursday I’d went out to visit and on the way home what I thought was a regular police traffic stop ahead turned into a complete saga!!
This road block was specifically for me .
There was 4 traffic cars and several officers one Sargent of the traffics and another superintendent.
They surrounded the car and instructed me to turn it off and “exit the vehicle”, we’ll me being a law abiding citizen I told them to do one and on what grounds were they acting on with this circus ?
That comment didn’t go down well !!
They informed me they’d had several complaints of this car being seen driving at speed over the last week and asked if I were the owner and had I my documents with me .
When I then informed them I’d been given the car by SMT to have for a week they went berserk telling me I’d no right to be out “joyriding” in what they then said was a demonstration car!!
But I’d had the sense at the time to put it onto my insurance as an extra vehicle so no officer I think you’ll need to do better than that it’s a loan vehicle !!
After an hour of them trying to contact SMT which was now close on midnight they informed me they were seizing the car !! Yes you heard !!
Telling me as I couldn’t prove I was allowed to be driving it !!
Total fiasco !!
They then took me back to the police station and proceeded to rant on about how they’d heard about this car bla bla bla !!
Meantime there was no sign of the officers that had driven it back !!
When I asked them where they were they were a bit bemused and were wondering themselves !
Then the 2 officers came in eyes wide looking on a high !!
With one in between breaths saying you wouldn’t believe how fast that car is !
I then asked so how did it take you so long to get back here ?
His Sargent told him not to be so ridiculous it’s not that fast I got here before you,in their 4 x 4 Sierra 🤭🤭! Then telling him to shut up 😂😂😂🤯
When I contacted SMT the next day they only said they’d been advised to no comment on this !
And no wonder the police had given the evening papers a statement on this and it was on one of the front pages only details missing was my name as they obviously didn’t want me taking any retaliatory action against them .
But SMT got some free publicity whither good or bad I’ll let you decide .
When I did my electrical apprenticeship at a company called J Wesley’s Electrical contractors in Hitchin , the boss Ken Shepherd had one of them . Amazing car .
Hello and some people have all the luck. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
I lived local to the Hethel plant in Norfolk , back in early 1990 i remember sitting at the traffic lights one night in my old Sierra XR4i a Silver tarted up Calton pulled up beside me with a small Lotus badge on the front wing i laughed and thought he we go race on...!! lights turned green and he left me standing like a bat out of hell few days later it pulled up in the local Petrol station beside me again got speaking to the driver turned out it was one of the Prototype test cars he let me have a very quick peek under the bonnet just to prove he wasn't pull my leg ..👍
I was a student around these parts in the 90's. Lotus sponsered our school by giving them a carlton. for real you would always see the cars being test driven on the local roads. I remember seeing alot of esprits and elises back in the day.
Hello and what an interesting story, thanks for sharing that with me. You mention your XR4i, as I remember, they weren’t too shabby at the time. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Hello and thanks for sharing that story with me, what a place to grow up. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
You said silver and I was going to call BS until I read through... Cool story.
@@PandA-yx5ne He also said it was running over 500bhp it was all hush! hush! at the time the car hadn't even been announced ..Years later i got talking to a Lotus engineer and he said they often test their prototype cars out on the local roads and country lanes late at night etc to dial in the handling and suspension for later production cars ..👍
Big hi from liverpool uk. It was the 1st time we caught ur channel, we all lve your content knowledge ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉😊 KEEP IT ON THE GO GO MATE IM SUSBSCRIBRE 747❤🎉😊
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And 1000% full notification bells choice channel❤
Thanks and much appreciated.
Remember when the Vectra VXR was at the time technically one of the fastest saloons on the road with its 160mph top speed
Hello, I remember the VXR’s, didn’t they have a 2.8L V6? Another good Everyman car and fast. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Big like for this detailed documentary of this supercar in disguise. 👍
Hello and thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Brilliant! Thoroughly enjoyed that. What a motor!
Hello and really glad you enjoyed this video, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
"Sleeper"? Well there's a new usage of the word for me. There is no way that this car could be said to have an understated appearance!!
Hello and fair one, I was trying to differentiate it from the likes of Ferrari's and Porsche's, very differing styles, but still in the same league. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Great video! and what a car! Thanks for uploading 👍
Hello and thanks for your comment, it's greatly appreciated.
If anyone knows what a sleeper is they’ll also know that the Lotus Carton is far from a sleeper. In fact most people into fast cars would get more excited seeing this car in the flesh than a Ferrari/Lamborghini/McLaren.
Hello, and you make a fair point. As you correctly mentioned, car enthusiasts will understand, but for the majority of people, it would be just like the GSI, for instance. This is why I chose to use that term. Thanks for your comment; it's much appreciated.
Yes they would now, but back then not so much unless they were reading the car magazines a lot. I agree though that with it's bodykit and those wheels it's not really a sleeper. It would be like saying an MG Maestro Turbo was a sleeper.
Hello and thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Lotus was bought by the Chinese multinational company called Geely. Now they are putting out electric crossover/suv type vehicles. It's the same thing that happened to MG.
Hello and thanks, ain't that the truth, so many classic marques being watered down. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
This was my dream car in the early 90s sadly I never got one.
Hello and I agree, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
This car and a 959 will always be in my poster car dreams.
Hello, the 959 was another great car, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Brilliant doc, but that silly background music ruined it.
Hello and the background music is only meant to avoid any silences, I will look at different tracks. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
The reality is the lotus carlton was easily faster in a straight line than an M5 of era BUT the M5 was far finer handling to the tune of in race track (or the twisty stuff) conditions the M5 was faster........
Hello, the M5 was definitely a good car on the bends, but to be fair, the Carlton didn’t do too bad. Thanks for your comment, it’s much appreciated.
I saw a Lotus Carlton a few years ago in Nottingham. Rarer than a rare thing.
You sure it wasn’t a replica??? Because a lot of the time due to how rare these monsters are people replicate them I’ve seen loads in my time except for a very few genuine ones most have been nothing but imitations??!!!
Hello and what a site. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Hello, I heard this goes on, but never seen one. Thanks for your comment, really appreciated.
People conveniently forget about the e34 alpina b10 bi turbo, also capable of 180mph and 0 to 60 in 5.6. but yes, the omega was still a beast.
Hello and that’s a good point, the Alpina had very similar performance, another good one. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
My boss had a regular (not Lotus) Carlton estate.... even that was pretty hot. We seemed to go everywhere at 120 mph.
Hello and could have been a CDX with the 2.6L Straight-6, as they could shift. There were also a few 3.0L made. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Really interesting video. What a thing!
Hello and thanks for your comment, it's greatly appreciated.
Well-done. Nice upload
Hello and thanks for your comment, it's greatly appreciated.
It’s so curious that they didn’t just use the proven Australian 5.0L V8. It wasn’t a complicated engine and would achieve 500hp with some minor modifications.
Hello and I’ve got to agree with you on that. The 5.0L V8 was already being used in the Holden Commodore and as both cars were very similar, I would have thought that the fit wouldn’t require too much reworking. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
I first saw this car back in 1993 and my jaw just dropped I have always wanted one these cars it will always be my favourite and unfortunately even today to by one these cars you will have to pay a hefty price tag of nearly £500.000!!!!…….some years ago I think maybe 20 years ago I saw online someone selling just the shell of a lotus Carlton for around £50.000 and I mean just the shell nothing else it was the same price as what the whole car was back in 1989??!!
Hello, what a car and as you say, what a price. Even for just the shell. Like the details and thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Awesome video! Subscribed
Hello and thanks for your comment and subscribing, it's greatly appreciated.
8:24 and the hsv vn group a had the same gearbox as the zr1 and lotus Carlton. 11:00 oh. Good coverage
Hello, the ZF S6 40 Transmission was a good solid piece. Thanks for your comment, appreciated.
One thing I do like is there are no add ons no upgrades one paint colour, the car is as it is, car manufacturers should go back to that so there will be an actual variety
Hello and that's a good point, I agree on that. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
This was my dream car and nearly bought one 😢 unfortunately I had to be realistic about how much the maintenance was going to cost
me. So I bought a replica and looked the business but had no performance 😂
Hello and totally understand where you're coming from. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
This will ALWAYS be a car I'd love for lottery win Dream Car Garage! I wish I'd paid more attention when this released as it musta blown so many people's mind with that staggeringly rapid performance that is STILL very fast even today 35 years ago! A 4 door saloon that launched the same year that I finished Secondary School that hit 60mph in under 5 seconds, hit 100mph in under 11 seconds and had a top speed of 180+mph (supposedly the quoted 176mph isn't even flat out and if the car was redlined in 5th before selecting 6th gear would lead to over 180mph!) A car that had space for up to 5 people, a leather interior, a spacious interior and boot, air con, luxury and comfort yet could also out accelerate a supercar of the time and match it's top speed! I had one of these in my small North Essex hometown (along with RS500s and The Prodigy) and there's STILL one in town today, tucked away in a non descript garage. With the lack of attention the car received in guessing that it's only the owner and me that know just how @#£%ing LEGENDARY these beasts truly are!
Hello and I think you have hit the nail on the head, the Lotus Carlton was definitely a one of a kind and I agree, if I had the chance, I would also have one in my garage. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated
@WheeleyInteresting thank YOU for the superb video!
Hello and thanks, your comment is greatly appreciated.
Looks nice. An fast. Cheers
Hello and thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Love these Carlton, even had a think for the Omegas, wasn't there a 3.2V6 the special police units use to use.... Biggest I drove was 2.0
Hello, I believe that the Met ran some of the 3.2L V6 models, but with modified transmissions and brakes. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Good vid.
Hello and thanks for your comment, it's greatly appreciated.
Engine is C30SE, not X30XE( Omega B MV6)
Hello and thanks, I inadvertently used the V6 code instead of the I6 code. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Imagine having to pick between that & the bmw (e34) alpina b10.
Would have been very difficult.
Hello and a very difficult choice indeed, thanks for your comment, greatly appreciated.
And a merc 500e
Hello and the 500E was a nice car too, with it's 5.0L DOHC V8, it was sharp. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated,
That 14 pot block at 8:48...
Hello, that was taken straight out of the manual, so should be correct, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
If the volunteers are employed how can those businesses afford to let them go 1 2 3 maybe 4 times a day to pick up unwanted people who have put them selves in there own situation of danger 🤬
best Car❤
Hello and agreed, a top car. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Gtir kicked butt
It certainly did, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
@WheeleyInteresting I took a stock 225bhp car and turned it into a reliable 420bhp, 400lbft weapon of a daily driver which I drove for 7 years before selling for a move to a new country. Stripped for racing it went just under 1100kg, I miss my little sh1tbox 😢
Hello and that sounds like a piece of Greased Lighting, thanks for sharing that. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
8:46 Is that a bank of seven cylinders?
Four fingered engineer assembling 7 cylinder straight six 🤣. Thanks AI
Hello and well spotted. I was using the image as a placeholder, to avoid a too long image slide. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Hello and ain’t that the truth. Just using as a placeholder to avoid long image spreads. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
What a car 40 RA was dumped in a canal near to my house in solihull but I was only 4 at the time it happend lol.
Hello and that would have been an interesting sight, when it was fished out, Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
21:10 in Australia it wouldn't have been an issue! We had v8 cop cars....
Hello, Australia have some really nice V8's, like the Ford Falcons, Chrysler Chargers and Holdens. Thanks for your comment, appreciated.
Opel❤
Hello, Opel have made some great car, the Manta for example. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
How did you get Danny Dyer to do the video?
Hello and unfortunately, I'm not Danny Dyer, but he did grow up not that far from where I did. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
@WheeleyInteresting Was only kidding fella, thanks for replying tho 👍
No worries and have a good one
The Irmscher EVO 500 is better. 4l Inline 6, harder, more track oriented , but rare as golden eggs. Only 37 were built.
Hello, I have heard of this, wasn't it designed for Homologation into touring car racing? Another nice car. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
A great car
Hello and totally agree, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Sleeper? Where?
Hello and as I have already said “If you’re in the Know, You Know”, but to Joe Public, it’s no different than a Carlton 3000 GSi. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Lotus Carlton sleeper? Behave yourself we all knew what it could do!!
Hello and the thing is, if you're in the know, you know exactly what this car is. But to Joe Public, it's no different than a Carlton GSI. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Based on the Aussie commodore.
Hello, I think the Commodore, Omega and Carlton all came out of the same A Body Omega, in one shape or another, dependent on the market. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Sorry fella, the Lotus Carlton was far from a sleeper...!
Hello and as I have said previously, if you’re in the know, you know, but to Joe Public, it’s no different than a 3000 GSI. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
mate this story been told a millon times before lol
Hello and it is a good one. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
the nineties godzilla superlative
Hello and thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
only reason why was because it was a vauxhall...bear in mind lambo and ferrari were about and had cars that could go that fast, no one gave toss ad they were estabilshed performance car builders...vauxhall were not😊
Hello and agreed, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
C30SE! NOT X30XE....
Hello and thanks for pointing that out, I inadvertently used the V6 code, not I6 code. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Frillers??
Hello and they certainly were, thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
My C5 RS6 Dusted 1 No problem.
Hello and Audi RS's are fast cars, what kind of speed were you doing when you passed the LC? Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
@@WheeleyInteresting I didn't pass it, I left it for dead. But 185mph is about it.
Hello and sounds like you were shifting, would have thought it might of put up more of a fight, thanks and much appreciated.
@@WheeleyInteresting 370bhp sounds like a lot, but in a car that big and heavy it's not. They are just over rated shit. My daily is a BMW 335d E91 390 bhp 750nm 6 speed manual conversion and all the usual mods, 176mph on a stand alone sat nav.
Hello, I personally like the Lotus Carlton, the BMW, is also a good car. But don''t forget the Carlton is around 20 years older and of its era. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
This car is no sleeper , just look at it , its carlton on steroids
Hello and true, but as I have already said, if you're in the know, you know, but to Joe Public, it's no more different than a Carlton GSI. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Dude your diction, tone and accent sounds like an old cement mixer....
Hello and what can I say, as my old English teacher used to say "An accent is one thing, but there's no excuse for bad grammar. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Erm how is this a sleeper? Everyone knows what it is
Hello and as I have said previously, if you're in the know, you'll know what it is. But to Joe Public, it's no different to a GSI. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Really really not a sleeper on any level
Hello and fair enough, but as I have said before, if you're in the know, you know, but to Joe Public, it's no more different than a Carlton GSI. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Is this guy ai?
Hello, I am real and that's the sound of concentration. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Lots were stolen
Hello and quite a few weeks stolen, most to order. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Fackin Geeeeezaaah
Hello and thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Some of this waffle and not true
Hello, everyone is allowed an opinion, but could you point me to what is not true? Thanks for your comment, appreciated.
Please stop using these hideous AI images, it ruins your great content
Hello, and you make a good point. I do my best to avoid this, but finding relevant images can be tricky. Since I don't want to keep images visible for so long it gets boring, I have to insert them. I hope this helps and explains my reasoning. Thanks for your comment; it's much appreciated."
th-cam.com/video/CwNNO_PgbTQ/w-d-xo.html
Lotus Carlton Estate
Hello and thanks, finished watching that video and very interesting. I wasn’t aware that Lotus had planned to produce an estate, which are generally more aerodynamic than their four door counterparts. Thanks for the link and your comment, much appreciated.
Thanks for your comment and much appreciated.
My dad has this car
Head gasket went 3 times in 2 years
Leaked oil from rear main engine gasket
Clutch went twice in 20 k miles
And had zero handling
And oil pump failed twice
Owned for 3 years and when sold lost 7 k plus all nearly 8 k in fixes.
Hello and that is interesting, as I thought being a Lotus, it would be more robust. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated