The Lotus Carlton / Omega Sedan Was a World-Beating PR Nightmare - Jason Cammisa Revelations Ep. 28

Lotus' first and only-ever 4-door sedan was badged the Lotus Omega (left-hand-drive versions) or Lotus Carlton (RHD.)

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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[diecksl]

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 🤣

[Zkt_Zkt]

The wait between new Revelations is difficult but the reward is always worthwhile.

[LFCLIFEJEDI]

I'm old enough to remember the outrage the Lotus Carlton caused..

The irony is more the Government and Police screamed the more the public loved it.

It was the best free advert the Lotus Carlton could of have gotten..

It elevated the Lotus Carlton to legendary status

[ScoutingForZen]

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.

[jasongray]

The Carlton is a mythical beast to us British petrolheads. Awesome video as always!!

[erik]

The turbos sound so disappointed when you let off the gas. I love this thing!!

[fabiohustlermonteiro]

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!

[kenecchi]

The sound of a turbocharged straight 6 is just the greatest thing.

[bovedli]

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.

[TerribleUsernameAmirite]

I like how the car sounds like it's going "woo-hoo" every time you let off the gas

[neillaw]

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.

[mickdavis]

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.

[JohnnyAFG]

Same story with the Sierra Cosworths. They were pissed that a blue collar had access to the same speed as a blue blood.

[nightwheeler]

The worst part about Jason's videos is that they end 😢

[alexday]

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

[DavidTheScientist]

My dad had a couple Carltons when I was growing up in the early 90s, so I had a lot of childhood memories in that car. I definitely remember it being a comfortable car for our long holiday drives to Scotland, France or Germany.
In the early 2000s I found out my dad's friend had both a Carlton GSi 3000, as well as a Lotus Carlton. My dad's friend also used to be a rally driver. I was lucky enough to get two mildly terrifying rides with him: one in the GSi, up in the French Alps, and then another in the Lotus, going down British country lanes. The Lotus was absolutely bonkers, especially when driven close to the limit by someone who really knows how to drive. Ironically I was just thinking about it a few days ago, so funny that you should release this video now! Thanks for featuring this not-so-well-known 4-door supercar of the day!

[ljubomirdjurovic]

Jason is simply one of the best motoring journalists in the world!

[Tcify]

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.

[lchr]

I can't tell if thats turbo noise or Jason audibly going "woo" after every upshift. These episodes are fantastic. You've successfully scratched a Top Gear itch.

[ProjectPhantomD]

It's crazy how for such a small company Lotus is, their roots can be found across so many of today's awesome automotive foundational developments across a ton of manufacturers.