Yes, this car is an Omega. But as Vauxhallists in the UK we'll consider it a Carlton as they are the same. Saves any confusion, right? It's also not a Lotus Carlton, as the discussion about fast Vauxhalls will inevitably lead to. More discerning Vauxhall fans may think it's a GSI 3000. Not that either.
You wait for one homologation Carlton...
It's an Opel Omega (Carlton) Evo 500. It was built for DTM homologation in the early 90s to battle Merc 190s and BMW E30 M3s on track and off it. It was bigger than both and, um, less successful too but it's a homologation car and therefore pretty cool in our books. It was unknown round these parts until the other day and, quite frankly, we thought it deserved some wider recognition!
The Evo 500 was built with Irmscher - not just terrible grilles for Corsas then - and features loads of fantastically nerdy details that we love about these types of cars. Power was only up to 230hp (at 6,700rpm) from 204 of a GSI but the Evo had a new forged crank with eight rather than 12 counterweights; reciprocating masses are of course best kept low for the racing version spinning to 10,000rpm. The pistons were lighter by nearly 150g each and the conrods were modified too. Lots of tweaks for a racing application in a road car. It even had a different engine code.
Does the DTM get any cooler?
That spoiler is electrically adjustable too, which is an easy way to make any homologation car more appealing. And what's a racing car without downforce? All 500 made were Nova Black, Recaros were added in and the wheels were new too. The Evo cost 40,000 Deutsche marks more than an Omega 3000, which sounds a lot. And also a guarantee for extreme rarity.
Obviously finding an Omega Evo 500 for sale is incredibly difficult, but I will certainly be on the look out from now on. Perhaps a GSI 3000 will have to suffice; looks like someone bought a bargain with this 24v GSI making just £748 at auction last year... The point is cars for competition are always cool (as well as very expensive at the moment), but they become even more interesting when you've never heard of them before. So if anyone does have any more information on the Omega Evo 500 I would be really intrigued to know. Yes, really.