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Lotus Carlton
The Lotus Carlton (also called Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Lotus Omega and Opel Lotus Omega) is a version of the Vauxhall Carlton/Opel Omega A saloon upgraded by Lotus in order to be a high performance sports saloon. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation—Type 104 in this case.
Performance modifications started with an upgraded engine, which was enhanced by Lotus from the standard Opel 2,969 cc (3.0 L) 24-valve straight-six unit used in the GSi. The engine was enlarged to a capacity of 3,615 cc (3.6 L). Lotus then added two Garrett T25 turbochargers, which provide up to 0.7 bar (10 psi) of boost from about 2,500 rpm. The original distributor ignition system of the engine was replaced with a three-coil wasted spark system, and the distributor drive was re-purposed as a water pump drive for the water-air intercooler circuit. The intercooler itself was manufactured by Behr and is capable of reducing charge air temperature from 120 °C (248 °F) to 60 °C (140 °F).
In addition to the aforementioned engine modifications, Lotus made a number of engineering changes to the engine so that it would perform reliably with the higher power output. To cope with increased cylinder pressures of about 95 bar (9,500 kPa), the external webbing on the engine block was reinforced. The crankshaft was replaced as well; early development crankshafts were machined from billet steel in Italy, but production units were forged by Opel and sent to Maschinenfabrik Alfing Kessler for machining. The cylinder head was left mostly the same as the original 24-valve design, though the combustion chamber was machined to reduce the static compression ratio from 10.0:1 to 8.2:1. The engine was fitted with forged slipper pistons produced by Mahle. Piston connecting rods were replaced with new units made to an original Lotus design.
The same ZF 6-speed manual transmission as fitted to a contemporary Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 was used to transfer power output to the rear wheels via a rear limited-slip differential shared with the V8 Holden Commodore.
Exterior changes included the addition of a rear spoiler, cooling vents on the bonnet, Lotus badges on the front wings and bootlid, a body kit, and considerably wider wheel arches for the larger wheels. The car was only sold in one colour, a dark green called Imperial Green (similar to British racing green).
The rear suspension of the Omega, already praised by the automotive press,[citation needed] was modified by Lotus for better high-speed stability and improved handling dynamics, by adding a new suspension arm, and revising the bushings, to modify the toe and camber characteristics. To combat the problem of significant camber change at high speed and when fully laden, the self-leveling suspension from the Opel Senator was fitted. Also borrowed from the Senator was the Servotronic power steering system, which provides full power assistance at parking speeds and reduces assistance as the road speed increases. The Lotus engineers would have preferred using rack and pinion steering, but cost and space constraints limited them to the worm-and-roller arrangement.
Initial sketches for the wheels showed a split-rim composite design, but this was ultimately abandoned in favor of a monoblock wheel design, with cited concerns over the durability of the wheels in poor road conditions. The final design for the 17-inch (430 mm) wheels was manufactured by Ronal, along with Goodyear Eagle tyres that were wider than those used on the Omega. The tyre compound used was the same as that on the Esprit Turbo SE, with a combination of oils and low hysteresis. This allows for improved high-speed stability and better performance in wet conditions.
The car is fitted with 12.9 in (328 mm) brake discs at the front and 11.8 in (300 mm) discs in the rear, both manufactured by Portland Engineering in Dorset, along with four-piston AP calipers at the front and two-piston calipers at the rear.
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Lotus Carlton
The Lotus Carlton (also called Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Lotus Omega and Opel Lotus Omega) is a version of the Vauxhall Carlton/Opel Omega A saloon upgraded by Lotus in order to be a high performance sports saloon. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation—Type 104 in this case.
Performance modifications started with an upgraded engine, which was enhanced by Lotus from the standard Opel 2,969 cc (3.0 L) 24-valve straight-six unit used in the GSi. The engine was enlarged to a capacity of 3,615 cc (3.6 L). Lotus then added two Garrett T25 turbochargers, which provide up to 0.7 bar (10 psi) of boost from about 2,500 rpm. The original distributor ignition system of the engine was replaced with a three-coil wasted spark system, and the distributor drive was re-purposed as a water pump drive for the water-air intercooler circuit. The intercooler itself was manufactured by Behr and is capable of reducing charge air temperature from 120 °C (248 °F) to 60 °C (140 °F).
In addition to the aforementioned engine modifications, Lotus made a number of engineering changes to the engine so that it would perform reliably with the higher power output. To cope with increased cylinder pressures of about 95 bar (9,500 kPa), the external webbing on the engine block was reinforced. The crankshaft was replaced as well; early development crankshafts were machined from billet steel in Italy, but production units were forged by Opel and sent to Maschinenfabrik Alfing Kessler for machining. The cylinder head was left mostly the same as the original 24-valve design, though the combustion chamber was machined to reduce the static compression ratio from 10.0:1 to 8.2:1. The engine was fitted with forged slipper pistons produced by Mahle. Piston connecting rods were replaced with new units made to an original Lotus design.
The same ZF 6-speed manual transmission as fitted to a contemporary Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 was used to transfer power output to the rear wheels via a rear limited-slip differential shared with the V8 Holden Commodore.
Exterior changes included the addition of a rear spoiler, cooling vents on the bonnet, Lotus badges on the front wings and bootlid, a body kit, and considerably wider wheel arches for the larger wheels. The car was only sold in one colour, a dark green called Imperial Green (similar to British racing green).
The rear suspension of the Omega, already praised by the automotive press,[citation needed] was modified by Lotus for better high-speed stability and improved handling dynamics, by adding a new suspension arm, and revising the bushings, to modify the toe and camber characteristics. To combat the problem of significant camber change at high speed and when fully laden, the self-leveling suspension from the Opel Senator was fitted. Also borrowed from the Senator was the Servotronic power steering system, which provides full power assistance at parking speeds and reduces assistance as the road speed increases. The Lotus engineers would have preferred using rack and pinion steering, but cost and space constraints limited them to the worm-and-roller arrangement.
Initial sketches for the wheels showed a split-rim composite design, but this was ultimately abandoned in favor of a monoblock wheel design, with cited concerns over the durability of the wheels in poor road conditions. The final design for the 17-inch (430 mm) wheels was manufactured by Ronal, along with Goodyear Eagle tyres that were wider than those used on the Omega. The tyre compound used was the same as that on the Esprit Turbo SE, with a combination of oils and low hysteresis. This allows for improved high-speed stability and better performance in wet conditions.
The car is fitted with 12.9 in (328 mm) brake discs at the front and 11.8 in (300 mm) discs in the rear, both manufactured by Portland Engineering in Dorset, along with four-piston AP calipers at the front and two-piston calipers at the rear.