The Lotus Carlton / Omega Sedan Was a World-Beating PR Nightmare - Jason Cammisa Revelations Ep. 28
1,142,893
Publicado 2023-02-23
Based on the European Car of the Year award-winning Opel Omega and Vauxhall Carlton twins, it was the fastest regular production sedan in the world, and that caused major controversy in the socioeconomic class-conscious United Kingdom.
180-mph supercars like the Ferrari Testarossa had already been around for years, but when a pedestrian brand like Vauxhall endeavored to sell a sedan that could be purchased by non-aristocrats, it rocked the establishment.
Still, the Lotus Carltomega was a tour-de-force, offering 377 hp — 2 hp more than the also Lotus-engineered, 4-cam, 32-valve, 5.7-liter LT5 V-8 from the C4 Corvette ZR-1. The Carlton/Omega sent that outrageous power (and 419 lb-ft of torque!) from its 3.6-liter twin-turbo, DOHC 24-valve straight-six to the rear wheels via the same ZF 6-speed manual used in that King of the Hill Corvette. It was the only 6-speed manual in the world that could cope with the Lotus' power.
The Lotus Type 104 sedan was more than just a straight-line rocket, with huge Ronal wheels, AP Racing brakes, and fully revised suspension. Period road tests demonstrated it would leave its contemporary competition (the E34 BMW M5 and W124 Mercedes 500E) for dead, both in acceleration and top speed.
Revelations goes into the history of why this Lotus was made — thanks to Bob Eaton's desire to make GM Europe cool using newly purchased Lotus' engineering — and how engineers at Opel's Rüsselsheim factory tried to stand in its way.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the Lotus Carlton's history was the ironic PR fallout when Autocar Magazine's editor-in-chief asked Vauxhall to consider limiting its top speed — as the Germans had just voluntarily agreed to a 250 km/h (155-mph) limit. The British Parliament even got involved, with hearings condemning the Lotus' performance, suggesting that because it was a "cheap car," it could be purchased by those incapable of driving it safely. Or, worse, people who would use it to commit crimes.
The other great irony, Alanis (lol), is that this happened 5 years later, when a stolen Carlton with the now-infamous license plate "40 RA" was used in a crime spree — but was too fast for the police to catch.
Of course we'd be remiss in not mentioning Carlton Banks — the lovable character in the Will Smith's cotemporary-to-the-Carlton early-1990s TV hit "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," whose energetic dance to Tom Jones' "Not Unusual" created a meme from which the talented dancer/actor Alfonso Ribeiro still cannot escape.
If you know Jason Cammisa, then you've already guessed that he spent hours learning the Carlton, so that he could perform it in the most pants-splitting way possible.
But only after having brutalized a windy back road with the Carlton's enormous power. While in the factory Cheater Mode engine programming. Of course.
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Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
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Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
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Todos los comentarios (21)
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On a TV car show here in germany they interviewed an owner of this car. His father was an Opel dealer back in the 90s and kept the car for himself because it was so much fun. The son said when it was new they took it to the Nürburgring for some hot laps the same day a Ferrari dealer did a sales event where customeres could test drive their latest models. The Lotus Omega with four people on board was quicker around the race track, leaving the Ferraris back in the dust. He said after some laps the Ferrari dealer was furious and demanded that they must leave as the Lotus humiliated his customers 🤣
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The wait between new Revelations is difficult but the reward is always worthwhile.
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I have a friend who has 2 of these 😂😂 one modified one stock. He took me on a ride in the modified one, which at the time had around 700 horsepowers. It was the most frightening 15 minutes. I have ever spent in any car.
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The turbos sound so disappointed when you let off the gas. I love this thing!!
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I like how the car sounds like it's going "woo-hoo" every time you let off the gas
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The sound of a turbocharged straight 6 is just the greatest thing.
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I had the occasional use of one of these back in the ‘90’s. Speed cameras weren’t a thing then except on the M25 near Heathrow airport and everyone knew where they were. I remember seeing off an M5 BMW easily in this beast. He chased me half way across the country trying to prove his worth but to no avail😂. It was and still is, in my opinion, the best car I have driven, better than any of the more exotic cars I have had the privilege of driving.
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£45,000 in 1990 is equal to £131,000 today and $161,000. Not exactly cheap at all.
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Hearing the Lotus Carlt-Omega directly compared to the Charger Hellcats literally made me do the shocked Pikachu face. Because it's so mind-blowingly accurate.
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The Carlton is a mythical beast to us British petrolheads. Awesome video as always!!
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Interestingly enough, I knew two brothers that used to live near me; one had the Ferrari Testarossa and the other Lotus Omega. The main difference was the Omega was actually driven, while the Ferrari spend at least 360 days a year in the garage after some small fender bender resulted in outrageous repair bill.
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this show is such an awesome mix of information and humour, i hope it continues for a long time. Jason is an awesome presenter
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I had many Vauxhalls in the 90s from an ex police 3ltr Senator (no traction control) to a 3000Gsi Carlton (only 12v) through to a Mk2 Astra GTE 16v. I remember the press going mental about the Lotus Carlton and i wanted one even more because of it. Still looks perfect even today.
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Jason has made an "old top gear" of is own kind. Full credits to him and all of the Hagerty team, it's a really joy when a knew episode comes out: the music's mix, the humor and the content. Keep on the excellent work guys!
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I was at the Lotus test track at Hethel as a teen and had the privilege of watching one of these take part in an ‘auto test’. A short sprint that goes through a tight set of cones, returning to a square to park in. I swear I have never seen such a large car shift from a stationary start to up to 60 or so mph in such rapid style. It just chewed the track and was gone in a flash. Twin Garrett Turbos kicked it into next century ! This is one of the funniest and best videos I have ever seen from across the pond. Love it You are a legend ! Your grip on UK humour is spot on mate
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in Brazil the Omega was sold in the 80s and 90s rebranded by gm, this means that there is a LOT of "chevy Omegas" in BR, my boss has one, a CD(comfort diamond) edition, very rare one, but an used one here is kinda cheap if youre talking about dollar conversion, but is kinda hard to find one that is in good shape
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Jason is simply one of the best motoring journalists in the world!
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The worst part about Jason's videos is that they end 😢
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I will never forget the only time I ever held another non-family male’s (my best friend’s) sweaty hand, it was in December 1995, in the backseat of this car. The father of another friend of mine offered a ride home from our uni, it was raining heavily and this man did 150 (non-freedom units) on a sharp bend in a highway divider. I heard he later bought one of the first pagani’s in my country. I will never forget that bend and I still think about that moment of fear and cringe when I drive trough that bend nowadays. This car is sick. You directly notice the exterior as there’s something strange about it you can’t really put your hand on. Until the motor starts…
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I still drive a Opel Omega but with the smallest 6 cil engine 2.6i with 150hp and also build now from a Omega Station a trailer. I drive a Omega A since 1998 and don´t wont drive any else. I love this car and as long i can fix everything by myself i will keeping drive it! Greeting from the Netherland
