Opel Omega

The original Omega went into production in September 1986, as a replacement for the final version of the Opel Rekord, which had been in production since 1978. Sales began in November. The body was designed as an evolution of the previous Opel design theme engineered more towards aerodynamics in view of higher fuel prices and the general drive towards more fuel efficiency. The result was a remarkable drag coefficient of 0.28 (0.32 for the Caravan). The whole development program cost two billion Deutschmarks. The UK market version of the final generation of Rekord had been marketed as the Vauxhall Carlton, and this nameplate was retained for the new car.

Late in 1986, it was voted European Car of the Year for 1987, ahead of the highly acclaimed new versions of the Audi 80 and BMW 7 Series.[1] Compared to the Rekord, the Omega featured many modern technological advances, which were new to Opel in general, if not to the volume segment European automotive market.

These included electronic engine management, ABS, on board computer (which displayed parameters such as momentary fuel consumption or average speed), air conditioned glove compartment and even the then fashionable LCD instrument cluster (available in CD version from 1987 but dropped in 1991). More importantly, the Omega came with a self diagnose system (which is now a standard feature in present-day cars), whose output could be read by appropriately equipped authorised service stations.

All the Omega models used a longitudinally mounted engine with a rear-wheel drive setup, with a five speed manual transmission or four speed automatic transmission. The engine range consisted of 1.8 L, 2.0 L and 2.4 L four cylinder units (as well as 2.0 L, 2.3 L diesel, and 2.3 L turbodiesel) to 2.6 L, 3.0 L, and 3.0 L-24v six cylinder units. The 1.8 L and 2.0 L four cylinder petrol engines were all based on the Family II design, whilst the six cylinder units and the 2.4 L four cylinder were based on the older Opel cam-in-head engine family.

In Brazil, the car was sold as the Chevrolet Omega and powered by 2.0 L I4 (C20NE and C20YE) or 3.0 L I6 (C30NE) Opel engines until 1994. Since the discontinuation of the Omega A in Germany, General Motors do Brasil needed new engines to continue production and the 2.0 L I4 was replaced by 2.2 L I4 engine (C22NE) (116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp), 197 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft)), and the 3.0 L I6 was replaced by 4.1 L (250ci) Chevrolet Straight-6 engine C41GE (168 PS (124 kW; 166 hp), 285 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft)), which was tuned by Lotus and equipped with multi port fuel injection. The Chevrolet Omega was produced until 1998.[2][3][4]

The four basic trim levels were LS, GL, GLS and CD (from least to most expensive). The base LS was clearly intended for the fleet market, with the sedan unavailable to individual customers in some markets. The LS Caravan was also available as a panel van with rear side windows covered, with body coloured foil rather than replaced by solid panels.

For the year of 1991, the Omega A was afforded a facelift, which encompassed slight alterations to front and rear fascias, as well as interior materials and additional sound dampening. The until then base 1.8 L engine was dropped. The LS and GLS trim levels were also dropped, while the CD was joined by Club and CD Diamant.

This options package was introduced in 1988, and could be added onto the GLS, LS and CD trim version. It included alloy wheels, metallic paint, tinted windows, stereo with cassette player, various leather trim in the interior, as well as a painted grille and door mirrors. It sold well and the package was kept after the facelift and a similar system with the same name was used for the Omega B.[6]

The Omega 3000 was the sports version of the Omega A model range. It featured a straight-6, 3.0 litre, twelve valve engine, which produced 177 PS (130 kW). Other modifications from the base model included a lowered suspension and limited slip differential, as well as different fascias and a rear spoiler. The car had a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph), and accelerated from 0–100 km/h in 8.8 seconds. The catalyzed version of the engine originally only had 156 PS (115 kW). The uncatalyzed model was discontinued in August 1988. In countries where the Omega 3000 was sold as a Vauxhall, it was called the Carlton GSi 3000.

In October 1989, the Omega 3000 received an optional new engine with 24 valves, two overhead camshafts, and a variable intake manifold (Opel Dual Ram system). It also used a more advanced engine control unit. Power increased to 204 PS (150 kW), which increased top speed to 240 km/h (149 mph), and 0–100 km/h time dropped to 7.6 seconds. At the same time, output of the catalyzed two-valve version increased to 177 PS (130 kW), the same as the uncatalyzed original.

Omega Evolution 500

This was a limited series model produced together with Irmscher. It was built so Opel could compete in the DTM. The car had a three-litre straight-6 producing 230 bhp (172 kW; 233 PS). The car accelerated from 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and had a top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph).

The racing version used on the track had 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS), accelerated to 100 km/h (62 mph) in about 5 seconds, and could reach nearly 300 km/h (186 mph). It did not, however, achieve great success.[6]

Lotus Omega

In 1989, Opel sanctioned a high performance version of the Omega built in cooperation with Lotus. This version was named the Lotus Omega or Lotus Carlton depending on whether the base car was sold as an Opel Omega or Vauxhall Carlton in their respective European markets. The car was built using a variety of parts from other GM suppliers and manufacturers. The engine was based on Opel's standard 3.0 litre 24 valve, which was handed to Lotus to modify.

As a result, engine capacity rose to 3.6 litres; in addition, two Garrett T25 turbochargers were installed along with a water cooled intercooler. The engine management was also modified and the ignition changed to an AC Delco type (same system as the Lotus Esprit uses). The result was a 377 bhp (281 kW; 382 PS) high performance engine.

This Omega also inherited a larger differential from Holden's Commodore with a 45% LSD, whereas the gearbox was a six speed manual ZF gearbox fitted to the Corvette ZR1. The tyres were custom made by Goodyear, and can be recognised by the small Greek letter Ω (Omega) on the side. These were required as this car could reach 280 to 300 km/h (186 mph), which made this Omega the world's fastest production sedan at the time.

This was a controversial fact given that the other major German manufacturers producing high performance cars had been fitting speed limiters to not allow maximum speeds higher than 250 km/h (155 mph). The 1,663 kg (3,666 lb) car accelerated from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds, 0–160 km/h (99 mph) in 11.5 seconds.[7][8]

In the end of 1999, the Omega received a facelift and a 2.2 L 16 valve engine was added to the range as an eventual replacement for the 2.0 L.

The following year, a 3.2 L V6 engine replaced the 3.0 L V6 unit, and a 2.6 L V6 engine replaced the 2.5 L V6 unit. Year 2001 brought also brand new diesel 2.5 DTI engine from BMW, with "Common Rail" system.

The V8.com concept car project was meant to be a "mobile office" it was built on Omega station wagon which was elongated by 130mm, to provide more space for the passengers and additional equipment; containing separate 9.5 inch LCD screens for all passengers, internet access and integrated video conference mobile phone system with separate cameras and microphones providing passengers hands free operation. Additionally the car was equipped with Xenon headlights, and Advanced Frontlighting System (AFS), automatically adjustable to the road conditions.

Hence the name it was powered by a GM LS1 V8 engine.

The car debuted at Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1999.[11][12]

Opel was planning to upgrade its flagship Omega model with a powerful GM LS1 V8 engine used in the Chevrolet Corvette. Unlike the V8.com which was a concept car, this model was intended to go into the serial production. The Omega V8 was shown publicly for the first time at the 70th Geneva Motor Show ( 2–12 March 2000). The V8 engined version was to be put on sale autumn 2000.[13]

The reasons for cancelling production plans were concerns about whether the engine was vollgasfest (German, "Full throttle resistant"). There was fear the engine might overheat and be damaged if driven flat out on the Autobahn for long periods of time.[14] Holden did equip its Commodore (which was a re-engineered Omega for Australian market) with the same engine. A version of this platform was used for the Holden Monaro which was marketed in the United States as the fourth generation Pontiac GTO, and in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Monaro.

In the United Kingdom, the Vauxhall Omega proved to be a successful saloon[15] despite being slated in many reviews for heavy depreciation[16] and unreliability.[17][18] Omegas were a regular sight on United Kingdom roads, sporting police livery and as covert traffic surveillance cars.[19] However, just four years after the introduction of its latest incarnation, Omega B2, and seventeen years since introduction of Omega A, production of this model ended without a successor. On 25 June 2003, the last Omega rolled out of the factory in Rüsselsheim – it was a silver 3.2 L V6 Omega B2, number 797,011.

Following the demise of its direct rivals, the Ford Scorpio and Rover 800, the former due to its controversial styling, Opel/Vauxhall found themselves competing against BMW's 5 Series, with minimal sales success. Apart from the Australian reengineered Holden Commodore models that carried on until 2006 for the sedan (wagons and utilities until 2007), production of the Omega ended in 2003 with no direct replacement. In Europe, the gap in the range was indirectly filled by more "expensive" versions of the then existing Vectra and Signum. Remaining stocks of the car were sold into 2004.

Stories and photographs of a "new" successor appeared in the motoring press one year later. However, in the case of Auto Express, its October 2004 article simply featured the Holden Torana TT36 concept car, which itself previewed the 2006 Holden Commodore.[20] Nevertheless, Holden contributed in the Omega badge remaining alive by it, for the entry level model of its new Commodore. Unlike prior models since 1978, this new Holden was no longer based on an Omega platform.

As of June 2020, there are only 16,283 Vauxhall Omegas left in the United Kingdom. 13,160 of them still taxed, while 3,123 are on SORNs.[21]