Vauxhall
Lotus Carlton / Lotus Omega (Type 104)

Why it matters

The Lotus Carlton/Omega was conceived as the fastest four-door production car offered to the public and became the spiritual successor to the Lotus Cortina. Its performance caused a public controversy in Britain, and with only 950 built against a target of 1,100, it remains one of the rarest performance saloons of its era.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

After General Motors bought Lotus in 1986, the two began an image-building project based on the Carlton Mk2 / Omega A. Each GSi 3000 24v base car was taken to Hethel, where Lotus enlarged the six to 3.6 litres, added twin turbochargers and a ZF six-speed gearbox, and fitted a revised aero kit. A prototype appeared at Geneva in March 1989 and production ran from September 1990 to December 1992. Recession and limited badge appeal slowed sales: GM hoped for 1,100, but 950 were completed, 630 as Lotus Omega and 320 as Lotus Carlton, 250 of the latter for the UK.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Only one colour scheme was offered, pearlescent Imperial Green with Anthracite upholstery, and there were no options. Genuine cars carry Lotus badges behind the front wings and on the boot lid, the Lotus body kit, and the C36GET 3615 cc twin-turbo engine in place of the 2969 cc GSi unit.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   12 brilliant Vauxhalls Level B Classic & Sports Car

   • Just 950 examples were produced from 1990 until 1992
   • 3.6 litres with twin Garrett T25 turbos
   • ZR1 Chevrolet Corvette donated its transmission
   • there were AP Racing brakes
   • speed-sensitive power steering and self-levelling suspension from the Senator

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Guide: Lotus Type 104 Carlton / Omega | Supercar Nostalgia Level B

   • 950 total (630 Omega, 320 Carlton; 250 UK Carltons)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   Guide: Lotus Type 104 Carlton / Omega - a Historical & Technical Appraisal Level B Ben Tyer · Supercar Nostalgia · 2021-12-05

   • Lotus-developed Type C36GET
   • longitudinally mounted straight six with two turbochargers
   • 3615cc
   • 377bhp at 5200rpm
   • 419lb-ft at 4200rpm
   • ZF S6-40 six-speed manual, limited-slip differential
   • ZF S6-40 six-speed manual
   • officially quoted 174mph

   Accessed 2026-11-12