Few saloons from the 1990s still turn heads like the Lotus Carlton. Built for bold looks and raw power, it made a statement then, and it still does today.
A Super Saloon that dared to be different
The Lotus Carlton began life as a Vauxhall Carlton GSi 24v, already a respectable executive saloon. But Vauxhall wanted more and Lotus was the perfect partner to deliver it.
Once the base cars were built in Germany, they were shipped to Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk. There, the transformation began.
The 3.0-litre engine was re-engineered into a 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six, delivering 377 bhp and 419 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed manual gearbox borrowed from the Corvette ZR-1, one of the few boxes at the time strong enough to handle that kind of torque.
The result?
A 176 mph super saloon that could hit 60 mph in just over 5 seconds, performance figures that left even some supercars behind.
Built to drive
Lotus didn’t just add power, they refined everything. Suspension was reworked, with stiffer springs, recalibrated dampers and uprated AP Racing brakes. The 17-inch wheels sat under subtly flared arches, giving it a wider stance and better grip.
Finished in Imperial Green, its only factory colour, the Carlton looked understated but menacing.
A notorious chapter
Of course, you can’t talk about the Lotus Carlton without mentioning its most infamous story. In 1993, one stolen example was used by a gang in a string of ram-raids across the West Midlands.
With a top speed far above what any patrol car could reach, the Carlton became the centre of a national media frenzy.
Headlines called for it to be banned and Politicians debated its place on UK roads.
But behind the controversy: this was a car built to show that British engineering could take on the best in the world and win.
Appreciating such a rare collectible
Just 950 Lotus Carlton and Opel Omega Lotus models were ever built, with only 286 delivered in right-hand drive for the UK. Fewer than 200 are believed to remain on UK roads today.
This level of rarity, combined with its cult following and growing appreciation, has pushed values up year after year.
Enthusiasts and collectors alike now recognise the Carlton as one of the standout cars of the ’90s performance era.
A special example at Sasso Automotive
We’re proud to offer one of the best-preserved Lotus Carltons available today.
This car has had just two previous owners and comes with a Lotus Certificate of Vehicle Provenance, confirming its authenticity. It presents in superb condition, both inside and out and shows all the signs of careful ownership and low mileage.
The Lotus Carlton isn’t just rare, it’s a true piece of British performance car history.
Iconic, controversial and celebrated in equal measure, this is a rare chance to own one of the most talked-about saloons ever built.
Contact the team on +44 (0)1482 847771 or email us at [email protected] to arrange a private viewing.