Exploring the Enigmatic Lotus Carlton: The Ultimate Super Saloon from the Colorful Nineties

Remember the days of Nintendo and Playstation gaming marathons? In between rounds of Mario Kart and Donkey Kong, a particular automotive gem was discovered within the Gran Turismo series: the Lotus Carlton. A rare sighting indeed, this Opel saloon car was reimagined with Lotus engineering, transforming it into a formidable super saloon of the 90s. Among its peers in Belgium today, a pristine green model stands as testament to its bygone glory.

The term ‘super’ often implies an extraordinary narrative: Superman, supercharge, supercar. The super saloon is no exception. Renowned examples such as the BMW M5, Audi RS6, and Mercedes E-Class AMG come from the esteemed German trilogy. However, this term also applies to other charismatic contenders like the Jaguar XJR, Maserati Quattroporte and more.

Opel’s collaboration with Lotus resulted in a surprising twist in the super saloon narrative. Despite Opel’s genuine involvement in racing and rally, it was not typically associated with high-performance road vehicles. Nevertheless, the Lotus Carlton materialised, offering an intriguing blend of Lotus engineering and Opel sensibilities, thereby driving enthusiasts and collectors alike to reconsider what a super saloon could truly be.