1992 Lotus Carlton - My First Drive
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2019
- The #Lotus #Carlton is a legendary car - famous for creating such a stir when it was released, that the British government debated whether we should be allowed to buy such a thing.
However, nearly thirty years after release, what is this bad boy saloon like to drive?
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If going around a Corner in any Carlton/Omega or Senator feels like how you describe it in the video, most likely the rear axle carrier damper bushes are worn. You won't be able to tell if they're good by looking or inspecting them (at least if they're not literally falling apart) but if the behavior of the car in curves isn't good thy are simply not in shape anymore. The problem is that they shrink by the weight of the car after years (even if the car isn't driven), which affects tracking negative. It's a cheap fix an will make driving a Omega/Carlton/Senator a whole new experience! Greetings from the Lotus Omega Nr. 320 owner! ;)
I’m lucky enough to have worked For a Lotus Carlton dealer who actually owned the very last one made. It’s an awesome driving experience.
Was going to suggest bushings when he mentioned delay in the steering. That isn't very lotus and suggests wear
I was thinking that it sounded like the shock absorbers were past their best on that particular example. However, I'm happy to bow down to your superior knowledge with the bushes.
The big point here being that criticising a car that may may well not be performing as it should is unfair.
That wobbly piece of trim is giving me OCD. this was my dream car as a 19 year old in 1992 :)
...and ofcoarse it's the piece with a LOTUS badge on it, LOL.
I think that is just an artifact generated by the compression on the camera.
@@chrisroberts1440 6:24 Yes this side does it too
Jef Damen no way it's definitely coming away from the body, you can actually see behind it
I think it’s to do with the camera. Rolling shutter type effect.
there is an old guy rocking around Southend in one of these..he has two...it's his daily....respect!
There was a Lotus Carlton parked close to my place every work day for a couple of year in the mid 90's, as you can imagine I dribbled all over it for years. :) The old Vauxhall Carlton 3000 GSI was a lot fun so I bet the Lotus was a blast.
Oh my goodness, James! You have just earned about a million petrolhead points for this video, thank you ever so much indeed for this.
He should be stripped of all his petrol head points for referring to people who like this car as drug dealers and chavs.
There was one of these in my home town about 25 years ago. Merc and BMW drivers used to try to take it on. The driver used to simply floor it and leave them for dead. The myth is that one Merc owner got out at 70mph because the Carlton was leaving him so fast, he thought he had stopped. It could have happened: The Lotus Carlton was THAT fast. The ultimate Q car.
made my very quick Lancia look like a Snail.
It was just as fast as Fezza's of the day
Hello, in 1993 the European Grand Prix was held at Donington Park and the course car was a Lotus Carlton. I used to deliver new Vauxhall demonstration vehicles to the many Vauxhall dealerships. I was given an unforgettable job of collecting a Lotus Carlton which was classed as a demonstration vehicle from Osborne Road Luton and had to take it to Donington. I remember driving it up the incline from the Vauxhall factory to the M1. I had a permanent smile on my face as I had never driven any Vauxhall with this amount of torque before. I had driven many Cavalier and Calibra 4x4 turbos which were quick with exceptional road holding but this Lotus Carlton was a thoroughbred compared to them. I cannot remember which car this was I know they were all numbered but I don’t remember the number. There can only be 1 Lotus Carlton demonstrator on Vauxhalls fleet of demonstrators. It would have been registered in Worcester so the plate would have ended possibly in ?WP . If I ever won the lottery I would try to find the car and renovate it back to original. Thanks for your video it brought back happy memories from 1993
Commuting home along the M42/A42 in around 92, and this Lotus Carlton just glided past so serenely at a wicked speed. Stunning. Passed by it quite a few times over the following months. The publicity had impressed but seeing one for real - just amazing. Something special about an 'ordinary' car touched by Lotus, whether it's a Carlton, Sunbeam hatch or Cortina.
Awesome. For a car that is remembered almost exclusively through rose coloured glasses and lives off its mystique it's great to see a genuine review of how it actually goes.
380 horses is still alot
Brilliant. I owned this very car 12 years ago. It was registered in 93 tho.
Really? Class!! Tell us more
@@gaffnaldo1 I sold the car because my partner got cancer and we fell on hard times, the only thing of value I had was this car.
When I sold it ,it had 52 k on the clock.
I owned it for 4 years and bought it from a place that owned another LC and an Omega version. They were based in Bedford. Pleased to see it's been looked after but also very sad for me to watch the video.
Gary....
@@garyhammond8622 brilliant, i hope your partner came out the other end of it all buddy.
Thanks
@@gaffnaldo1 Thank you, yes she had breast surgery and thankfully she is still here. Her friend who was diagnosed at the same time tho, was not so lucky and sadly passed away.
@@garyhammond8622 all the best to you and your family brother
How many of you guys here come from the youtube algorithm suggesting this after watching Jason Cammisa's take on the Lotus?
I still remember my excitement as a 15 year old at the release of Lotus Carlton at the British motor show. A few months earlier I’d enjoyed reading an Autocar road test where the Carlton GSi 3000 24v had beat the legendary e34 535i and I thought that was the peak of Vauxhall’s powers, and then they said “hold my beer lads..”. The last car I remember having that kind of impact was the original Ford Sierra Cosworth with its massive rear wing and turbocharged performance after thinking the XR4i with its bi-plane rear spoiler was the last word in family sized performance cars.
As a Student back in 1993 I worked in a Petrol Station on the Wirral. I used to serve a DJ called Crazy Charlie most weekends on his way to work. He had a Lotus Carlton and he was cool as fuck. Nice guy too.
Love this era of Vauxhalls. Got to say though, the Monza GSE was always my favourite.
Yeah a fantastic car very much under the radar.
If you watch this ua-cam.com/video/3lXBXsAOSFEV/v-deo.html you see how many Astras or Opel equivalents were duking it out with Golfs. Sadly no more.
had the early s pack monza, five sped getrag box and a very late gse in carnelian red, both amazing cars, wish i still had them, oh for a time machine.
Yes Vauxhall really made their sports versions stand out from the others. Even the little Nova GTE’s looked the dogs bollocks!
I’d love a Manta 400.
@@neonix01 oh yes the old Manta 400. Used to love them when i was a kid.
In 1997 I was on a YTS apprenticeship learning to be a mechanic and one of the lads at the garage had a Lotus Carlton and at the time I though it was the most amazing car on the planet ha ha ....... Well it still came second to a mallard Green Escort cosworth 😊 love watching you driving and giving your thoughts on the Carlton and for sending me down memory lane 👍
I remember seeing these at car shows before they became worth so much they became collector pieces, looks so good, a lesson in how to make something look special without shouting it - so anyone who knows would know, but the majority wouldn't bat an eyelid.
I like the design of the Carlton (or Opel Omega as they were called over here), looks chunky. Not many left here in Sweden, they have all pretty much rusted away.
That's what all Opels up untill the 2000's did
70's is the golden era of opel imo
Look north over here we're not retarded enough to salt the roads.
I remember these well, when these first came out some of the top managers at Vauxhall Luton had them as company cars, back when Luton was builing the Cavalier. Great times back in the day and im still working for Vauxhall's 30 years later.
I grew up in a village called upper sundon, about 6 miles from Vauxhall's plant.
Maybe it was a managers car I damn near hit at a tee junction.
I swear the green Carlton wasn't there when I looked left and right,before pulling out in my (oh dear) Cortina Mk5.
But I sure heard the tyres lock up and the lotus Carltons horn as it narrowly avoided my stupid driving.
I think,given the nature of the roads and the speed of the lotus Carlton,a few must have gone through hedges with or without the help of drivers like myself.
It’s Australian cousin the Holden Commodore upgraded by Holden Special Vehicles, made some ripper motor cars. Their final cars were 6.2 litre Chev powered. The last 2 models were not related. The interiors were considerably upgraded depending on the model. They were not sophisticated cars, they were brute force.
This is one of my dream cars. I don't know why but it always pops into my mind first when asked that question.
Love the Lotus Carlton cracking car! Fabulous video James
I had a GSI 3000 24V and it was the best car I have ever driven, the way you describe that Lotus Carlton there must be something wrong with it. The GSI was a beast in the corners.
Had a 2.0CDI for 9 years and so wished I'd had a GSI. But have to agree with you. I stepped out of an '80's hot hatch into the Carlton, and discovered the hard way that you have to DRIVE it. Once I'd got my head round that, my friend in his Impreza Turbo didn't have the confidence to handle high speed corners at the same speed. God help you if you backed out halfway through a corner though. Proper rear wheel drive. Just keep your foot on the floor and steer into it. I'd argue the Carlton/Senator were the best cars Vauxhall ever produced. 5 series? Whatever :)
Cass! Kind of ironic that the two most desirable cars ever made were basically humble rep mobiles.They are the Lotus Carlton and the Sierra Cozzie.
Lotus Omega is in my top 10 dream garage. Such a legend.
Heikki Remes my dad had one
So awesome that this was put up on my recommended. What a car and comprehensive review as always!
Amazing car, I miss the big Vauxhalls in general.
Viking Raiders agree! i had the 24 valve carlton 3.0 awesome car, and a few cav’s 16v red tops and the first 16v astra, good memories of racing cossies with that 😎😎
The Carlton 3000 GSI was fast!! These must be mad!! Awsome looking car!!
I remember the "city" dealer had one of these alone with a tvr in like a 3 shaded colour when it moved it changed colour😄 I'll never forget the speeds and sounds those cars made when he floored them!!
Ahhhh the 90's, the last era of hot hatches and super salons never to be repeated,thank you U.K. goverment!
Nice to see a review that is about how the car drives in a normal daily situation. Thanks.
An amazing motorway muncher these was. Went Liverpool to Dover many times in one. Great to drive, and an amazingly comfy rear seat.
This is fast becoming my favourite UA-cam channel.
This channel has been amazing recently, keep it up
Thanks!
First video of yours I have watched and loved every second of it you have found yourself a new subscriber! brilliant informative review 👍
It's aged so well. The lower Carlton GSI 3000 24v was also a cracking car.
The speedo etc ended up in the Lotus Elan of course.#
#
zakelwe my mum had a brand new senator 24v flagship with self levelling suspension and many other extras
I’m surprised by your comments on the handling. I had a ride in one when I was 18 and the guy was launching at roundabouts a lot faster than my 205 GTi of the time could ever dream of.
Carlton vs 205: RWD vs FWD, 195 tires vs 265 tires, torque vs no torque.
I’ve got a 2.6 ‘ordinary’ Diplomat Auto. They are just brilliant long distance, air conditioned, 40mpg cruisers.
Excellent video Jay mate keep it up!
Awesome piece of kit. Love your traction control analogy 😂
I once saw one of these at the shell garage in Kendal but at the wrong time!!
A lady had just run in the back of him at the pump, he was t happy but I took a picture still 😂
Thanks for video !! A childhood dream to own an Opel tweaked by Lotus ? A 4 door saloon. The variety of Lotus models and he dreams with dads car ? Great video !
40 RA anybody ?? .. I have only seen 1 lotus carlton in the flesh , at santa pod about 20 years ago .. my god what a beast
Wonder where that car is now I'd like to think someone's still got it hiding somewhere
@@chrisring6690 I'm sure the beast is sleeping somewhere waiting for a worthy driver to awaken it from its slumber
Seen a few at castle combe paddock over last few years parked up. Maybe even this one.
@@Suhel276 it was found at tue bottom of a canal... the number plate is now on a kia or.somthingmike that
@@cun7sathome 40 ra is actually being restored. It was found in a scrapyard
Great video, agree with the quad cam comment. I worked on most RS and ford's back in the day mk1, mk2, Mexico, rs200, rs2000 and was a die hard Ford fan but there were so many cool one offs later which made the car industry so unique. Like the 928 and 2.8 capri, and of course the lotus carlton.
The mk1 lotus cortina from very early days was also a stunning car and the lotus sunbeam which was never talked about or remembered.
I bought a good condition xr4i in the late 90s for £250 ,great car 👍
Cheers mate from Australia my heart has shifted to 1 day owning this special car it has become a major ambition...
I had to settle for a Mk1 Astra Gte way back in the day, only ever seen 1 Lotus Carlton on the M1 doing about 140Mph, what a beast - thanks for posting.
it was the Lotus Carlton or the BMW E34 M5 for me back then; I couldn't find a clean Carlton so I got the M5 instead, and loved it...still have the upmost respect for both
Theres 1 for sale now on ebay with 5000 miles. Its £125,000...
One of my all time favourites. Essex definitely had a love of the Lotus Carlton. I live in a small Essex town and remember seeing one of these back in the 90s, and theres even a guy now that has a garaged example just round the corner from me (I thought it was a lookalike, but the guy had the bonnet up the other day and its defo the real deal) A criminal gang in the 90s was using a Lotus Carlton to belt up and down the motorways after a job, as the Old Bill were running the Carlton 3.0 GSI 24V as their motorway car (150mph vs 176mph!!!) Theres an article on Google about it, I dont think they or the car were ever caught or even identified.
Just love the simple engineering and no bloody computers. It’s the polar opposite of all the ridiculous tech-laden super saloons. And it’s got far more character, charisma and personality than a car park full of new German yawnboxes.
Bang on mate you've said exactly what I'm thinking.
Mouth open... stunned silence.. this and the hammer and the e34 m5.... the ultimate still😍.. thank you for making this video...😊😊
You lucky bugger. This is my jealous face 😩 from an era when you had to be a skilled driver or you would of ended up eating bark. What a machine. Kudos for the video 🤟🏻
I live about 12,000 miles from where you filmed this. It was never sold here locally, I never saw one on a street corner dealership, ... but still remember to this day reading car tests of the Lotus Carlton & what impression it made (EPIC). ... Possibly most similar in nature to more recent Walkinshaw/Holden/GM V8 Commodores (Monaro).
I've been lucky enough to drive an LC many years ago owned by a friend with a small-ish collection.. It was certainly an experience, and the claimed power output was definitely Conservative. The one I drove was standard, but tuned correctly and put out 334 at the hubs, which is @400-405 at the flywheel..
The Lotus Carlton (also called Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Lotus Omega and Opel Lotus Omega) is a Vauxhall Carlton/Opel Omega A saloon upgraded by Lotus in order to be able to reach speeds up to 285 km/h (177 mph) with acceleration to equal contemporary sports cars. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation-Type 104 in this case. The exterior changes were minimal with the addition of a rear spoiler, cooling vents on the bonnet, Lotus badges on the front wings and bootlid, a bodykit and considerably wider wheel arches distinguishing it from a standard Carlton/Omega.[2] The car was only sold in one colour, a shade of green called Imperial Green (similar to British Racing Green).
Top speed +283 km/h (176 mph)
Acceleration 0-97 km/h (60 mph): 5.1 seconds
0-160 km/h (100 mph) : 11.1 sec.[11]
Peak power output 382 PS (281 kW; 377 hp) at 5,200 rpm
Peak torque 568 N⋅m (419 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm
Displacement 3,615 cc (3.6 L)
Engine type Twin-turbocharged Straight-6
Layout Longitudinal, Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Six-speed ZF S6-40 manual
Weight 1,655 kg (3,649 lb)
Production 950 units
Price £48,000
Ive always adored the Lotus Carlton
James I could remember you could buy these cars for around 1000 to 1500 in good condition insurance was nightmare so people sold them cheap great video x
Wow I've never seen this car before and it's really 90s cool. Thanks for showing it Jay!
It's rough design is from the 80's
Honestly alphatrion, first time I saw it I thought that was old an Opel/Vauxhall :D
The funniest thing is that this car was cheaper than the period M5 but could drive rings around it! It actually had simmilar preformance to the Ferarri Testarossa :D
The 3000 GSI was faster than the 535 but 2/3 the price too. I miss old school big Vauxhalls.
You’re getting some absolutely incredible machines on the channel.
I'm a very lucky boy
@@JayEmmOnCars Try the Alfa 164 cloverleaf (if you can find one these days worth having)
My best mates older brother was a erm bad boy who sold stuff to people looking to party and always had amazing cars. The best one in my opinion was a escort RS cosworth which to us was more desirable than a Ferrari and was easily the fastest car up til that point any of us had ever been in . One midnight we were going for a cruise along the A19 and my mates brother was thrashing everything until we saw this car come side by side and blasted past leaving us in the Cossie doing it's max speed. The thing I remember was all of us including the driver ( Cossie) being stunned into silence how fast this Carlton was . I've only ever seen two since. Rare cars and this was probably the fastest car in British roads in its era. One badass car!!
One of my all time favs.
Would be in my top 10 garage.
Fab video bro...keep them coming.🤘
OOh I remember when this featured in Auto Express back in the day! And who can't remember Project Thunder from Max Power!!!! The Carlton was such underrated car compared to the Granada/ Scorpio of the day.
Vauxhall had the same problem as Ford, most people with the money to buy the top end models could also afford a BMW or Mercedes, the 24v Cosworth Granada was a pretty good package equipment wise but it sold terribly.
Awesome car! I saw one of these at the Petrolicious Drivers Meeting in Bicester Heritage last month. I regret not including it in my video.
More than the fact I love these cars.. love the fact your around south Yorkshire, love this vlog and the gte one... there were not a rich mans car by no means, But you cant help but enjoy the 90,s hooligan power they gave in the old days. Keep your hybrids and full electric drive. This is a driving experience that is set in stone....looking forward to the next one.
I only even learned of this car quite recently and I’m 51! But what an amazing car. It’s gorgeous. And Vauxhall’s are excellent cars too. What lotus did to it was awesome. Can’t believe they are around £45 grand though.
My absolute dream car wanted one since they came out when I was 9, prices were quite low for a long time now they've gone through the roof
Still 1 of the most legendary car's ever made. In around 2007 our local dismantler had a damaged repairable 1 in for £1800. Yes.......1800 quid. It sat a while and could have been bought with some parts to repair for less than that in the finish. Its mind blowing that same car would be snapped up today in its damaged state for probably 40 grand plus!!!
Ahhh the memories , there is something very special about the Lotus Carlton. Incredible performance and it was a joy to travel in comfort....and then comes up a lovely straight(ish) stretch of road, not too many cars and then...bam! The horses were unleashed and me gripping on for dear life. ❤️ I loved how understated the car was from the outside apart from a few discrete badges.
That is actually a dream of mine!
I’d absolutely love to have a go in a Lotus Carlton. Love that dark green as well awesome 😎
I never even saw one of these. I do have a mk1 Sierra cosworrh though and loved it. I’ve had 4 cavalier gsi and loved all of them to but my favourite was always the Peugeot 1.9 205 gti. It wasn’t the fastest busy definitely the most fun.
There is a special way to drive a carlton, to me they feel very connected to the human body as you feed them through corners managing the weight transfer.
My first Carlton was a bog standard 1987 1.8 GLi estate... Was running the family grocery store in 97...needed a big car for cash n carry missions...had a fat stereo which I added...i still shed many tears thinkin of the memories ...leaving straight line hero idiot at ANY CORNER OR ROUND ABOUT...SMOOTH FLYIN is what the Carlton was always about....had a 3000GSI 24V 5 speed no A/C at the same time....had 157 mph showing on speedo on the M23 ..and still pulling...i miss both ...wish I still had them....ahhhh...old days were good days
I remember it at its launch at the motor show
My neighbour is in the Opel Vauxhall owners club had 3 on he’s drive last year on the way to a show
"A business where you're measuring in grams" - yes, I too like to make coffee and grind my beans down to the milligram!
Great video on the legendary lotus Carlton. Keep up the great content JayEmm
I’m in heaven. I remember this having a reputation as being the absolute ultimate thug of a car. If Darth Vader had a car in the 90’s, he would have had one of these!
Beautiful car I saw one as a wee boy outside a garden centre it was stunning
Really a pity that in the last 20+ years there hasn’t been a successor of the Ford / Talbot / Vauxhall regular car with a Lotus badge. Every brand has his own sports department these days for mark-up badges and so a Lotus badge is less wanted, but still...
Well, that and Lotus got bought by Proton - of which there were several 'tuned by Lotus' cars. The Satria GTi for example.
My dream car. Far out of reach for me unless I get a lotto win! Our neighbour was a window fitter and had one of these. Blistering fast then and blistering fast now.
JayEmm, you are an excellent narrator of vehicle quality capacity and performance. You deserve to be given the truth about yourself. may you continue your successful career. Old William.
Very kind Old William
I still have the Auto Express road test for this car. The cover photo was of this car doing a wheelie. It was such an amazing car with a top speed of 178MPH. Still is a car of dreams.
Remember when a good one of these was 25k 😏
I see you're driving very near where I live. Hopefully the cars are local and I'll get to see one around soon. Not seen a lotus carlton in years 😍
Fantastic vid and stunning car, always wanted a lotus cadlton and a rs500, in my garage, maybe one day
Epic car. They must be tough to maintain now though, purely from a parts perspective.
I've never owned or even drivien a Lotus Carlton. I did, though, own a Carlton 3000 GSI in the early '90's. Loved it, roomy, big boot, lots of grunt, comfortable motorway cruiser. Very few left now, I believe.
Oooo nice , I remember having one in for some body work repair , awesome car
I had a grey metallic auto Carlton 26 yrs ago , a great plodder , used to take a cup of tea in one hand , steering wheel in the other , most times when I left home 96 K when I bought it , 40 quid m o t failure , spent half a day welding it , and 12 months ticket ,,, blapunk stereo fitted as well ,, best 40 quid I ever spent cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧
Wow Jay you've really come a long way when it comes to reviewing cars. Consider redoing the Carlton someday please
I ENCOUNTERED A BRAND NEW LOTUS CARLTON AT 3AM BACK INTHE 90S ON THE M8 AT IBROX GLASGOW IWAS 100 MPH WEST BOUND ,WHEN 1 CAME, PAST ME OUT OF NOWHERE AND PAST AND DISAPPEARED OUT OF SIGHT IN SECOND,S SHOCKINGLY FAST.LOL
A friend of mine tells of how he was doing 150mph in his Carlton and the police pulled him over. Apparently he went past a parked cop car so fast they had to radio ahead to intercept. He was pulled over and they looked over his car and realised that used to be their own car. They told him to mind how he goes and let him on his way.
I have been in a standard Carlton in chauffeur driven back from Stansted airport in 1999, after a difficult couple of weeks away on business. Was very comfortable.
This and the Belmont had The most comfortable rear seats ever. The Nissan bluebird was a close runner up.
Nowdays it could be mistaken for a riced old Carlton with that bodykit and rear wing. But petrolheads will spot if it's the real deal!
I would love to own one in the future, they're brilliant motors.
If my memory serves me our parliament was discussing trying to ban this car back in the day! Had the pleasure of driving a workmates one back in day and it was a beast of a car. Would take a while to learn how to be able to get the best out of it but would be worth it if you hadnt crashed before then. Epic, iconic car imo and a car that when you hit the throttle was saying " cmon then!
" and has road presence. All the best mate👍
Awesome video’s! You’re a lucky guy getting to drive all this exotica 😎😎
Just one little pedantic comment...when you say about not having to quantify the car as being ‘quick for it’s day’. The correct word is Qualify. 👍
A car i lusted after many years ago. Great video. 👌
In the 90's I really wanted one, I still do. The hard man's wheels.
One thing I'd recommend with cars like that is have it fully polly-bushed front to back and upgrade the shox too. Age isn't too kind to anything made of rubber!
Cant wait for the more detailed video :)