Vauxhall Omega - All Car History - Volume 19

Produced from 1994 - 2003, the Vauxhall Omega was- June 1994: The 3.0 V6 petrol engine became
an executive car available as a saloon or an estate; itsavailable. September 1997: A fresh design saw a new
design was intended to rival other conventionalnose and tail design & more standard equipment
prestige cars including the Ford Granada/Scorpiobecame available.
& the Rover 800.- May 1998: An LPG option for 2.0-litre petrol-engine
The Omega had a good reputation; spacious,cars became available
comfortable, well-equipped & built for strong- October 1999: A re-styled, 2.2-litre petrol engine joined
performance. Unfortunately, this & other similara new range.
models were discontinued due to potential buyers- November 2000: The original 2.5TD engine was
being lured away by the 'better' reputation of rivalreplaced by a 2.2 DTI turbo diesel engine.
brands like the Audi A6 or the BMW 5-Series.- January 2001: The 2.5-litre engine was replaced by a
HISTORY2.6-litre V6 petrol engine, while the 3.0 engine was
Vauxhall have been offering large saloons since thereplaced by a 3.2-litre V6.
1950's, with the aim of rivalling those made by moreDID YOU KNOW?
prestigious brands (at the time) such as Ford. The best- Only one generation of Omega was available in the
known Vauxhall saloon was the Cresta, (also offeredUK. However, there was an earlier edition available in
as the Velox which was less highly specified).Europe - sold in the UK as the Carlton.
These cars were brought out in 1957, with the PB- The 1st generation Opel Omega - known as the
model being released in 1962. This was succeeded inCarlton in the UK - was available in Lotus form. At the
1965 by the PC model. These were discontinued intime of launch, it was the fastest ever family saloon
1972, when the Ventora and Victor FE were broughtwith the capability of speeds up to 177mph due to its
out. These cars were produced until 1978, after which377bhp engine.
they were replaced by the Royale and the 1st- The 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine which was available
generation Carlton. This version of the Carlton wasuntil 2000, was supplied by BMW. It was the exact
made until 1986, at which point, the 2nd edition Carltonsame engine as that which was fitted to the
went on sale. This was then replaced by the Omegacompany's 3 & 5 Series.
in 1993.- In the USA, the Omega was known as the Cadillac
VAUXHALL OMEGA TYPESCatera
- April 1994: Estate & Saloon versions of the- The plug was pulled on a new version of the Omega
Vauxhall Omega were launched with a choice of(the V8) which was due to go on sale in 2001,
either a 2.0 or 2.5-litre V6 petrol powerplants or abecause there were concerns regarding the potential
2.5-litre turbodiesel unitunreliability of the car.