The Carlton CDX was introduced in October 1988 as a special edition model but due to its popularity, it became part of the standard model range in 1989. The Carlton CDX was the top of the range model until October 1991 when the all new Carlton Diplomat was introduced. The CDX was originally available in saloon form only but in 1990 the 3.0i CDX estate was launched with the 12 valve straight six as used in the earlier GSi 3000s. The whole Carlton range was facelifted for the 1991 model year and the 3.0i CDX was dropped from the range. A new 2.6i 'Dual-Ram' engine was introduced for both saloon and estate versions of the CDX and the car gained a slightly improved specification. The Carlton 2.6i CDX models were available in both saloon and estate versions.
| Click on the link to go to specific details on this page | |
| Interior Features | Exterior Features |
| Colours & Trims | Options and Prices |
| Technical Specifications | |
The following details were as the range stood in October 1993.
Seats
Facia, Instruments and Controls
Heating and Ventilation
Audio Equipment
Interior Lighting
Additional Interior Features
Mechanical
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Styling
Wheels & Tyres
Additional Exterior Features
The following combinations of exterior colour and trim colour were available on the Carlton CDX.
| EXTERIOR COLOURS | TRIM COLOURS | |
| Solid Colours | ||
| Glacier White | Blue Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Kings Blue | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Burgundy Red | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Flame Red | Anthracite Ascot Velour | Anthracite Leather |
| Two-coat Metallic Colours | ||
| Diamond Black | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Smoke Grey | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Rembrandt Silver | Anthracite Ascot Velour | Anthracite Leather |
| Frost Blue | Blue Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Two-coat Pearlescent Colours | ||
| Spectral Blue | Blue Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Emerald Green | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Satin Red | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
| Rioja | Grey Ascot Velour | Grey Leather |
Being a model which was approaching top of the range, the Carlton CDX had very few optional extras available. The following options, however, were available on the CDX.
These are the prices of the Carlton 2.6i CDX saloon and estate and the dates that they were valid from.
| Carlton 2.6i CDX | Saloon | Estate |
| October 1990 | £21,600 | £22,259 |
| October 1991 | £21,535 | £22,285 |
| October 1992 | £21,237 | £21,602 |
| October 1993 | £23,089 | £23,504 |
Engine
2.6i (2594cc) Cat generating 150 PS (110kW) @ 5600 rpm and 162.3 lb.ft. (220Nm) of torque @ 3600 rpm. 6-cylinder, cam-in-head, Dual Ram intake system, hydraulic tappets and temperature-controlled viscous drive cooling fan. Motronic M1.5 engine management system. Activated charcoal evaporation control canister. Two ceramic monolith 3-way catalytic converters and Lambda sensor. Compression ratio 9.2:1.
Transmission
TYPE |
CLUTCH DIAMETER | GEAR RATIOS | FINAL DRIVE RATIOS | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Rev. | |||
| Manual | 240 mm | 3.95:1 | 2.19:1 | 1.39:1 | 1.00:1 | 0.84:1 | 3.53:1 | 3.70:1 |
| Automatic | - | 2.40:1 | 1.48:1 | 1.00:1 | 0.72:1 | - | 1.92:1 | 3.70:1 |
Hydraulically operated mechanical asbestos-free single plate clutch. Rear wheel drive.
Suspension
Front: Independent. MacPherson struts with damper cartridge, coil springs. Anti-roll bar. Negative scrub. Gas pressure dampers.
Rear: Independent. Semi-trailing arms and progressive rate miniblock coil springs with telescopic gas pressure dampers. Anti-roll bar. Manual rear suspension levelling.
Brakes
Dual circuit, servo assisted.
Front: 11.7 inch diameter discs
Rear: 10.6 inch diameter discs
Ventilated front discs. Deceleration controlled proportioning valve on estate cars. Asbestos-free brake pads. Handbrake-on and low brake fluid warning light. Front brake pad wear warning light. Electronic antilock braking system (ABS).
Electrics
90 amp alternator
44 Ah maintenance-free battery
Estate Load Space
| (in) | (mm) | |
| Maximum length - rear seat down: | 79.4 | 2016 |
| Maximum length - rear seat up: | 46.1 | 1172 |
| Maximum width rear floor: | 57.2 | 1452 |
| Width between wheel arches: | 44.4 | 1129 |
| Maximum cargo height: | 30.0 | 763 |
Load Capacities (VDA method)
| litres (cu.ft.) | Seat up | Seat down |
| Saloon | 520 (18.4) | 870 (30.7) |
| Estate (to glass line) | 540 (19.1) | 1020 (36.0) |
| Estate (to roof) | 960 (33.9) | 1850 (65.3) |
Performance & Fuel Economy
Model |
Transmission |
PERFORMANCE |
FUEL ECONOMY mpg (litres/100km) |
|||
| Maximum Speed (mph) | Acceleration 0-62mph (s) | Simulated urban driving | Constant 56mph | Constant 75mph | ||
| 2.6i Cat. Saloon | 5-speed manual | 134 | 9.8 | 20.0 (14.1) | 36.7 (7.7) | 30.1 (9.4) |
| 2.6i Cat. Saloon | 4-speed automatic | 131 | 10.8 | 19.5 (14.5) | 36.7 (7.7) | 30.1 (9.4) |
| 2.6i Cat. Estate | 5-speed manual | 130 | 10.5 | 20.0 (14.1) | 35.8 (7.9) | 28.8 (9.8) |
| 2.6i Cat. Estate | 4-speed automatic | 127 | 11.5 | 19.5 (14.5) | 35.8 (7.9) | 28.8 (9.8) |
Weights & Towing Data
| Kerbweight (kg) | Gross vehicle weight (kg) | Max. roof rack load (kg) | Maximum towing weights (kg) | Max trailer noseweight load (kg) | Rear overhang (metres) | Speed (mph) per 1000rpm manual transmission | ||||||
| Trailer with brakes | Trailer without brakes | |||||||||||
| Man | Auto | Man | Auto | Man | Auto | 4th | 5th | |||||
| 4-dr saloon | 1441 | 1461 | 1955 | 1955 | 100 | 1700 | 1700 | 720 | 75 | 1.08 | 19.5 | 23.2 |
| 5-dr estate | 1486 | 1506 | 2080 | 2080 | 100 | 1600 | 1500 | 720 | 75 | 1.12 | 19.5 | 23.2 |
Wheels
7J x 15 multi-spoke alloy wheels
6J x 15 steel spare
Tyres
195/65 R 15 low profile
Fuel Capacities
Saloon - 16.5 Imperial Gallons (75 litres)
Estate - 15.4 Imperial Gallons (70 litres)
Steering
Speed sensitive power assisted recirculating ball system.
Energy absorbing steering column.
3.2 turns lock-to-lock.
Turning circle - 10.1m (33.1 ft)
Body
Aerodynamic drag co-efficients:
Saloon - Cd 0.28
Estate - Cd 0.32
All steel body with extensive anti-corrosion protection. Safety crumple zones, front and rear. Rigid passenger safety cell. Concealed windscreen wipers. Flush fitting glass all-round. Flush door handles. Concealed rear towing eye. Single two-way key operated locks and ignition. Burst proof door locks. Child-proof rear door locks. Tailgate assist struts on estate. Polypropylene front bumper/valance and rear bumper capable of withstanding impacts up to 2.5mph without permanent damage.
Anti-Corrosion Protection
Partial use of zinc-coated sheet metal, zinc phosphated bodyshell primered electrostatically (cathodic). All weld seams and joints sealed with special compound. Areas prone to stone damage on underbody coated with stone-impact primer. Anti-corrosion primers used extensively on bonnet, boot lid, tailgate, doors, wings and other panels. Paint finish applied electrostatically. PVC coating applied to wheel arches and other underbody areas. Polymer reinforced anti-corrosion wax pumped into door sills and other underbody cavities. Plastic front wheel arch liners.
Audio
4870 stereo system