Lotus Carlton - Omega

Like the Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo, the Lotus Omega was first introduced at the 1989 Geneva Auto Show and was produced in limited numbers until 1994. About 1100 Omegas were built in the years between 1991 when it entered production and 1994. Unlike other Lotus models like the Esprit, the Omega was not a homegrown model but instead a modification of someone else's work, namely the Opel Omega 3000GSi 24v (or the corresponding Vauxhall Carlton) – the top of the line Omega. At that time both Lotus and Opel were owned by GM, which felt that a special high performance model of the Omega was required to change its plain, bland image.The original engine, a 3.0L DOHC 24v inline-6, was enlarged to 3.6L, and two Garrett T25 turbos were added, along with a water-cooled intercooler ("Chargecooler" in Lotus lingo). The original 5-speed manual gearbox was substituted by a ZF 6-speed item, straight from the now-extinct Corvette ZR-1, with the deletion of the "skip-shift" feature found in the ZR-1. It is the only one GM was able to find that can handle the Omega's massive torque.The first encounter reveals an exceedingly long-travel clutch, a disjointed shifter and a rather bland engine note. Once you open it up however, the ludicrous power, firm ride, powerful brakes and even the shifter begin to work in harmony to give the Lotus an unmatched precision and efficiency. So much so, in fact, that at full gallop, even an E34 M5, with all its glorious sound and fury, seems breathless and underpowered. To 100mph the Lotus is only a tick slower than a Lamborghini Countach! None of the Omegas are believed to exist in North America, and only 440 of the 1100 were built British-spec RHD. - by Traian Popescu

See more: Lotus Carlton - Omega Photos, Lotus Carlton - Omega Technical Data