Introduction
The 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton is a limited-edition vehicle produced by Vauxhall Motors. It was introduced in 1990 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Lotus Cars. The car was designed as a high-performance version of the Vauxhall Carlton sedan, and was powered by a 3.6-litre turbocharged engine. It had a top speed of over 170 mph, making it the fastest production car ever built in the United Kingdom.
Engine and Performance
Engine
The 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton was powered by a 3.6-litre turbocharged engine. The engine was based on the Vauxhall Carlton’s existing 2.6-litre unit, but was modified to produce an impressive 377bhp and 419 lb-ft of torque. This allowed the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of over 170 mph.
Chassis
The chassis of the Lotus Carlton was also heavily modified to cope with the increased power. The car was fitted with a wider track, stiffer suspension, a limited-slip differential, larger brakes and a revised steering rack. This combination of performance upgrades allowed the car to handle and perform like a true supercar.
Interior
The interior of the Lotus Carlton was designed to be both luxurious and sporty. The car was fitted with leather upholstery, a Momo steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats and air conditioning. The car also featured a number of standard features such as electric windows, central locking and a CD player.
Exterior
The exterior of the Lotus Carlton featured a number of unique styling touches. The car was fitted with a redesigned front bumper, 17-inch alloy wheels and a unique ‘Lotus Carlton’ badge. The car also featured a more aggressive rear spoiler and a rear diffuser for increased downforce.
Price and Availability
The 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton was released in limited numbers, with only 950 cars produced. The car was priced at £48,000 at the time of release, making it one of the most expensive cars in the Vauxhall range. The car is now a rare collector’s item and can command high prices at auction.
Conclusion
The 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton is a special car that was designed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Lotus Cars. It was powered by a powerful 3.6-litre turbocharged engine and featured a number of performance upgrades. The car was also fitted with a luxurious interior and unique exterior styling touches. The car is now a rare collector’s item and can command high prices at auction.
Gallery of ‘1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton’
The 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton in a blue exterior finish.
The Lotus Carlton featuring 17-inch alloy wheels and a unique ‘Lotus Carlton’ badge.
The interior of the Lotus Carlton featuring a Momo steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats.
The engine of the Lotus Carlton producing 377bhp and 419 lb-ft of torque.
The rear of the Lotus Carlton featuring a more aggressive rear spoiler and a rear diffuser.
The car with a wider track, stiffer suspension, a limited-slip differential, larger brakes and a revised steering rack for increased performance.
The car featuring electric windows, central locking and a CD player for added comfort.
A limited-edition badge on the rear of the Lotus Carlton.
The car being displayed at a classic car exhibition.
The 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton at auction with a high price tag.