Test drive Opel Omega Sedan 1999 - 2003 sedan
Wolf in sheep's clothing
Isn't it a rather rubbed literary stamp? But it is difficult to come up with anything else that just as accurately defines in a nutshell the essence of Opel Lotus Omega - a car that hides real racing units under the serial shell and capable of demonstrating its potential - in the hands of an experienced driver. For some time now, in Germany - after a series of serious accidents with Opel Lotus Omega - they began to demand a sports license from those who wanted to purchase this car. What is the reason? Is the basic car - Opel Omega of the previous generation, popular in Russia, the SECOND Handic model is so bad in limit modes? Or did Lotus experts who participated in the development of the machine failed with the task?
No, the reputation of both companies deserves trust. In addition, Lotus had previously participated in two similar projects. In the 60s, in the wake of cooperation with Ford, the Lotus Cortina model, which was not successfully involved in the ring races (among the riders, was the legendary Jim Clark). And in the late 70s, together with the Peugeot-Citroen-Talbot group, a rally version of the Talbot Sunbeam hatchback was prepared with the Lotus prefix, which won the 1981 world ... In general, neither Opel nor Lotus are guilty of accidents. The point is in a man at the wheel and his driver's qualities, including prudence and composure. Perhaps the external similarity of the usual serial Omega and its sports derivative played an angry joke. It is difficult to expect such agility from the outwardly quite a family car. To control such a machine, serious skills are needed - we were convinced of this from our own experience.
It all started in the early nineties - at that time Lotus belonged to the General Motors corporation and partly performed the functions of its brain center in the field of new developments and advanced technologies. The engineering potential of the British company was decided to use to create a sports version of the middle class Sedan Opel Omega, which would be able to take part in the then -promising body championships (such as German DTM). 
The recipe chose a simple - a powerful engine and the corresponding transmission and chassis plus a practically untouched serial body (only with small external changes like spoilers, threshold lining, etc.). The cars that went on sale have changed the salon and its equipment for more expensive ones. A good example of factory tuning. 
This is not to say that the sports career of Opel Lotus Omega was dazzling, but in outsiders the car was not listed, and its road versions diverged around the world. Several such cars were in Russia, one of them was found in Moscow ... In a number of other omeg, the machine is released by color. The first time we saw it with the bright sun - the expensive metallic was so shimmering that it was not easy to determine the color of the car. In cloudy weather, it became clear - without a shade of British Racing Green, traditional for English racing machines, there were no ...
With a careful inspection of the difference between the car from its serial counterparts, they are visible immediately. The front bumper, the threshold lining and the rear spoiler are undoubtedly made specifically for this machine. They differ from standard and wheeled wheels, and rubber. It is impossible not to mention the two Lotus emblems located on the front wings, and the inscription on the rear panel is Lotus Omega. This is outside. And what's inside?
Under the hood, in a longitudinal six with a working volume of 3637 cm cubic meter, in a row six. With two turbochargers. The engine develops a crazy power of 382 hp. (5200 vol./Min.). To match her and torque - 554 Nm (4200 rpm.). The power pressure on the drive wheels is transmitted by a powerful clutch mechanism and a six -speed gearbox. To stop such a projectile, the best forces are attracted - ventilated discs on all wheels with real racing mechanisms AP Racing.
The salon seems to be an expensive living room with upholstered leather furniture. It seems that even the upholstery of the ceiling made of leather. German -made cars have always been distinguished by a high level of comfort. This one is no exception. The front seats of the sports type with good side support of the pillow and back allow you to comfortably arrange - for this there is longitudinal and vertical adjustments, in addition, you can change the angle of inclination of the back and configure the lumbar support. If this is not enough for you, we recommend adjusting the steering column. 
Torpedo in form - as on the old Omega. Attention was attracted by the clock, with arrows and a calm dial, reminiscent of Braun homemade alarms. All devices are made in black and white colors, without fashionable coloring fields for numbers in different things. The scales are large, well read. The steering wheel does not interfere with monitoring of the devices, the shape and material of the rim uphol (again the skin) provide reliable and comfortable holding. The lever of a six -speed box has appropriate clarity and sensitivity. The pedals are conveniently located, the moves are small in size, and the efforts seem to correspond to the features of the wards of the mechanisms - the accelerator is slightly tight, the clutch pedal is also not soft, the brake requires slightly more attention in comparison with the same in a regular car.
On the cover of the glove compartment, a small leather pillow with the Lotus emblem and the chipman was decorated with a monogram (let the passenger remember which car rides). The rear seat - as in all omega - spacious and comfortable. Passenger growth - without restrictions.
The owner of the car launched the engine when I was still outside. The car came to life. The space around was filled with sounds, among which it was possible to distinguish the buzz of the fuel pump of the injection system and the thinnest whistle of turbines of the supercharger. The engine itself in idle sounded solid and noble. For the first time I did not shoot, I wanted to try the joint work of gas and clutch. The car moved smoothly. Everything is clear here: Opel Lotus Omega is quite suitable for crowds in traffic jams - the legs will not get tired of the constant work by pedals, and the steering wheel amplifier is here to the place.
Now we really start. The car fell off the place without slipping of the wheels - the clutch drive is very accurate. This is the dynamics! The engine easily spins - the place where the car literally just stood was already somewhere far behind.
How to not recall the three comrades of Remarus, the episode with the competition of Karl with the usual car is serial and, in general, the German ordinary appearance can act on some drivers like a red rag: they say that this is still weaving in front of me in the trash, Also, Label was put on - some kind of Lotus, now I will show him!
He will not show anything, but it will only be dumbfounded for some time to contemplate the back of the car rapidly moving forward. And only a look thrown on his own speedometer may console an unlucky rider. The power supply seems endless. A drunken sense of flight, control over a huge force ... It seems that you can do everything - including a U -turn on the spot. The steering wheel is up to the side, a sharp press on the gas pedal, the main thing is not to miss the moment of returning the steering wheel, otherwise you can go to the second circle ...
But with the power of the jokes are bad. The danger lies in wait in corners: it seems that the car will allow them to pass almost without discharge of gas, or even with the addition of revolutions at the output, but the moment of the breakdown of the rear wheels will not be long in coming, and here it will be required experience and driver’s skill. If they (and even better - a sports license) you have, then you can fully enjoy the machine - its controllability is phenomenal. The suspension literally glues the wheels to the road. Small irregularities are swallowed unnoticed, it shakes significantly on larger cars - but for such a car it is in the order of things.
The native element Opel Lotus Omega is a German autobahn, where you can properly promote the motor, stick the sixth - and enjoy the speed, coupled with comfort. But even in a city where speed and direction of movement often change, the car obediently follows the will of the driver. This fully applies to the slowdown of the car - the brakes are magnificent. This is what happens when professionals take up the matter - however, the names of Lotus and Ap Racing speak for themselves. Opel Lotus Omega is a car at the junction: with obvious racing manners, but also perfectly adapted for driving on ordinary roads. Machines that passed through the hands of Lotus specialists have always been distinguished by this. This year for the company is an anniversary, it is 50. Congratulations and - keep it up!
Sergey Ivanov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 12/98]
