Oct 7, 2020 · Vauxhall needed to address that, so in 1986 it launched the GSi 3000. It packed a straight-six 3.0 engine with 12-valves and 177bhp. It wasn’t like a normal Carlton. Instead, it borrowed heavily from its sporty siblings like the Astra GTE, with bucket seats, rainbow trim and even a digital dash in some models.

Prior to the Lotus tuned version, the range topper was the GSi 3000 upon which the Lotus Carlton was based. At launch in 1986 it had 177 hp (130 kW) giving it a top speed of 134 mph (216 km/h). [4]

With a 2969cc in-line six engine, the Carlton 3000 GSI 24V pushes out just north of 200bhp. This gives a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. Famously in a 0-100mph dash, the Carlton was capable of outrunning the BMW 535i.

With 177bhp on tap, the original 1986 bespoilered Carlton GSi3000 was capable of topping 135mph, and doing it all day long. In 1990, power was increased by topping the 2969cc straight-six with a new 24-valve cylinder head, resulting in a maximum power of 204bhp.

The top performer in the Vauxhall range was this GSi 3000 featuring the C3.0i 24v engine with M1.5 Motronic engine management and Dual Ram variable intake system. Power output of 201bhp at 6000rpm and fistfuls of torque measuring 270Nm at 3600rpm, the car accelerates to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149mph!

May 2, 2022 · The Vauxhall Carlton GSi 3000. Isn't it just magnificent? Yes, yes and yes, are all right answers. Fair play, it isn't the 24-valver that MB spotted.

While the Lotus Carlton has gone on to be a high-rolling poster-child of performance, the GSi model has been all but forgotten. And this, dear reader, is criminal. An outstanding car, many were crudely converted to Lotus replicas, while many went the way of the scrap man.

The Carlton 3000 GSi is a rear wheel drive saloon (sedan) motor car with a front placed engine, sold by Vauxhall. Its engine is a naturally aspirated petrol, 3 litre, single overhead camshaft 6 cylinder with 2 valves per cylinder.

Jul 7, 2014 · The November 1989 debut of the (deep breath) Vauxhall Carlton GSi 3000 24v was unmarked by a formal British launch, or the hypocritical welter of 170 mph words that accompanied the twin turbo Lotus Carlton. Yet the GSi flagship of the Carlton mass production line is a more significant sports saloon than the Lotus variant.

Powered by a 3-litre straight-six engine developing some 177bhp / 183lbft of torque, the range-topping GSi 3000 variant was capable of 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds and 139mph when fitted with five-speed manual transmission. Gaining a 24-valve cylinder head for 1990, the GSi 3000 formed the basis of the legendary Lotus Carlton super saloon.