One of the most headline-grabbing models of recent years, the Lotus-developed Opel Omega/Vauxhall Carlton caused a storm of controversy when it was revealed that this four-door production saloon could touch 175mph (282km/h), a performance bettered by only a handful of exotic supercars.

Lotus's then owners General Motors had conceived the project as a means of creating a high-performance flagship for its European marques, Opel's Omega with its 24-valve 3-litre straight six engine being chosen as the basis.

Enlarged to 3.6 litres and equipped with twin Garrett turbochargers, the latter produced 377bhp and 419lb/ft of torque.

A six-speed gearbox from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, limited-slip differential, racing suspension, ventilated disc brakes and improved aerodynamics ensured that the car's enormous potential could be safely controlled.

Around 1,100 examples were constructed between 1989 and 1992 - the Omega/Carlton split being approximately 700/400 - and the model can only become...