The modern-day automotive world is a place with a seemingly strict hierarchy. It appears most manufacturers know their spot, sticking to making cars which they are best. And even when some of them step out of their comfort zone, this usually happens gradually. Still, there are exceptions to this rule, and one such was in the late 80s. This was when General Motors decided that Opel, a European manufacturer they owned, should make an extreme sports car. And they’ve concluded that the best way of doing this is if they teamed up with another manufacturer from their portfolio – Lotus. On paper, this may seem like a perfect bureaucratic recipe for disaster. But in reality, the car they came up with is one of the most fascinating 4-door sedans ever made – the legendary Lotus Omega.
Why was Lotus Omega even made?
In the 80s, Opel had a range of popular models that sold well. Their cars were praised by the drivers for their practicality and reliability. It was the same in the United Kingdom, where Opel was sold under the Vauxhall badge. But what both brands were missing, especially when compared with their main rivals, was excitement and hype. So, steps were taken to change this. For example, Opel made several hot versions of its cars, such as the Kadett GSI. They also participated in the prestigious German Touring Car Championship, DTM, with satisfying results. But none of this was enough to shake off the image of Opel’s cars being slightly dull.
Eventually, General Motors stepped in and proposed to create a car that would be not just fast but savage. Their idea was to take Opel’s flagship car, Omega, also known as Vauxhall Carlton, and spice it up. But this wasn’t going to be an easy task because these cars are comfortable Autobahn cruisers rather than agile racers. So, to tackle this challenge, GM rang up Lotus, a British car maker they also owned at the time. Their engineers could take just about any car in the world and make it go faster.
The overall plan was simple – Opel would manufacture a batch of semi-finished cars, which would serve as a starting point for the project. This meant building the chassis with an engine and some interior bits. These half-products were then loaded on the train and shipped off to Lotus’ factory, where their mechanical wizards did their magic. And what they turned this comfortable and slightly boring car into was mind-blowing.
How does Lotus Omega look?
Upon arriving at Norfolk, where the Lotus is based, the Opel Omega received a complete visual makeover. For a start, the car got an aggressive front bumper with big vents. The rear bumper was redesigned as well to match the new styling. And, of course, there was a massive rear spoiler sitting at the trail gate. But all these upgrades, stunning as they may have been, weren’t there just for the show. In fact, all these aerodynamic bits were carefully sculptured in the wind tunnel to generate a lot of downforce at high speeds.
But this aero-wizardry wasn’t the only thing to keep the car stable when the drivers put their foot down. Standard tires were replaced with much fatter ones fitted on uniquely shaped rims. These wheels were so big that they wouldn’t fit under stock wheel arches. Lotus engineers solve this problem by cutting them out and adding wide fender flares. And this wasn’t the only modification to the stock body made out of pure necessity. At the front, two large holes were made in the hood, with vents installed. These were needed to keep the engine bay cool down, as some exciting upgrades would happen here later.
Finally, the car received a coat of its signature-mark paint. In most photos and video footage, the Lotus Omega appears black. But in reality, the car was painted in Imperial green color. This is a dark shade of the famous British Racing Green, and it was the only option.
The mechanics inside the Lotus Omega
When designing their cars, Lotus’ engineers usually stick to the basic principle set by the company founder, Collin Chapman – simplify and add lightness. Such agile models can be quick even if their engines are not too powerful. But with its 3000 pounds of weight, Lotus Omega was anything but light. Which meant it had to have power. And a lot of it. This was done by modifying Opel’s 3-liter straight six engines, which served as a basis for the project. Pistons and other mechanical internals were replaced with bigger ones, increasing the capacity to 3.6 liters. This, on its own, would noticeably up the power. But designers, adamant this wasn’t enough, then went a step further and added two massive turbochargers. Lastly, the fuel system was tweaked so it could deliver enough gas.
The results were staggering, with the upgraded engine delivering 382 horsepower. But more mind-blowingly was the torque output, which went up to 419 pound-feet. But matting such a powerful engine to a standard transmission wasn’t an option, as it would blow it into pieces. General Motors, luckily, had just the right thing for this in its part basket – a six-speed manual gearbox used in Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Finally, to aid traction, a limited-slip differential was added, alongside some minor suspension upgrades. And that was just about it – in early 1990, the new Lotus Omega was ready to be unveiled to the world.
Lotus Omega – Performance and impressions
With all that power, the newly redesigned Lotus Omega was bound to be fast, and it was. The nearly 5-meter-long car would hit 60 in less than 6 seconds. And because Lotus, unlike most german manufacturers, didn’t care much about conventions, it had no electronic limiters. This resulted in a top speed of almost 180 mph. These figures are impressive even by today’s standards, but they only tell half a story. How all this power is delivered is probably the most fascinating aspect of this car. Anybody who drove the Lotus Omega was instantaneously fascinated with its relentless acceleration. This was thanks to those massive turbochargers and the mountain of torque they’d generate once they’ve spooled up.
In fact, Lotus Omega could easily outrun most Porsches or Ferraris at a time, both on the road or track. But as opposed to these sports cars, this was a 4-door saloon that could carry four adults in all their luggage. And this, as it turned out, meant Lotus and Opel had accidentally made the perfect getaway car. In several cases, thieves would steal the car from the owners’ garage to do robberies with it. The most prominent of such events happened in the United Kingdom, with the now-infamous 40 RA Lotus Omega. This car was used for a string of gas station and liquor-store raids that local police couldn’t stop. They said nothing could be done because none of their vehicles were even nearly fast enough to keep up with the elusive Lotus. Events such as this did create a lot of public concern, and there were even petitions to ban Lotus Omega. But this, luckily, never happened.
Could I buy a Lotus Omega?
Initially, General Motors planned to build and sell 1100 cars, with some being the right-hand model named Lotus Carlton. And thanks to the brutal performance and relatively competitive price, it sold well. However, the original plan was offset by a devastating recession in the early 90s. With stock markets crumbling, almost nobody would spend money on an exotic sports car. Consequently, GM pulled the plug in 1993, with the final production number ending at 950 vehicles.
In addition, some of these cars were crashed and destroyed over the years. But those that did survive are now quite valuable. Currently, prices for Lotus Omega start at $50,000, while mint examples might cost more than $100,000. Which is a bargain when considering what this car can do.
Lotus Omega – in short
Lotus Omega is a 4-door sedan made by Lotus, using the German-built Opel as a basis. Its purpose was to show the automotive world what a comfortable cruiser might be turned into. And what they made was one of the most striking cars of the time. With a top speed of 177 mph and blistering accelerations, it was one of the fastest vehicles on the road. And it also irreversibly improved Opel’s image.
