Performance Review: Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Carlton Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Lotus Carlton has a 3615cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Carlton shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Carlton's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1663 kgs (3666 lbs) this makes the Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Carlton shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3615cc 24V St6 engine produces 377 bhp (281 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 419 lb-ft (568.0 Nm) @ 568 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus Carlton you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet 997 (251.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Carlton.

The Lotus Carlton has a Power to weight ratio of 226.6 bhp per ton and 251.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Carlton competing with the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet 997 (251.6 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Audi A6 RS6 Avant Plus 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo (251.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lotus Carlton generating around 251.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Ford Mustang GT 500 (276.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (276.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.4 secs, this made the Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo as fast as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs) the or the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs). This Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the and the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Carlton and the 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Carlton on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.38 secs @ 102.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (13.32 secs), the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo GSR (13.32 secs), and the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco R 2.0 Turbo (13.33 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 175mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 Carlton equals the 2021 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (186 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo then how about the 2021 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (186 mph), the 2021 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (186 mph), or the 2021 Porsche Cayenne GT 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (186 mph).

Related Links:

1990 Carlton Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison