Vauxhall Lotus Carlton History

The Lotus Carlton was a Lotus-engineered, high-performance version of the Vauxhall Carlton (Opel Omega A) saloon, sold from 1990. Lotus enlarged the GSi's 3.0-litre straight-six to 3.6 litres and added twin Garrett turbochargers.

The result was good for around 175 mph, making it briefly the fastest production saloon in the world and prompting calls in the British press to ban it. Production ended in December 1992 with only about 950 cars built (Vauxhall Carltons and Opel Omegas combined), all finished in a single dark green. It remains one of the all-time great Q-car 'sleepers'.