Test drive Opel Omega Sedan 1999 - 2003 sedan
Caravan for a picnic
Four in Opel Omega, not counting the dog and luggageSooner or later, but Russia should turn from the country of sedans and jeeps for all occasions into a country of car diversity, on the roads of which there will be as many hatchbacks and station wagons as in Europe or America. To bring this time closer, manufacturers and dealers seem to do everything possible, expanding the lineup. One of the latest new products is Opel Omega Caravan. The car is practical and incredibly roomy.
My friend, a family and a detailed man, said in an apologetic tone: I'm afraid everything that we assembled for a picnic would not fit in the car. We'll have to make two walks. Of course, he was mistaken, because it was about Omega Caravan. And that, in front of the amazed audience, was accommodated in the trunk: a barbecue, a bag of special coal, a bucket of marined meat, four chairs, a folding table and a dozen more bags with all sorts of things. At the same time, I did not even have to fold the rear seats. Therefore, four people and a large dog are very comfortable in the cabin. Everyone, including the dog, despite the decent travel time, never wanted to stop to stretch his legs. This is what a business class car with a universal type car means.
A fan of some big jeep may notice that all this can fit his car plus another tent. Probably. However, if you take into account parameters such as efficiency, comfort, service costs, then universals undoubtedly win. It is not without reason that in Europe the demand for them is growing.
The Omega model is already familiar to our regular readers. But the station wagon, of course, is a special car, which is why I started these notes with the trunk, which not all spoke about. Its volume can vary from 540 to 1800 liters. The rear seats are folded entirely or in parts. If they are folded, then the salon can be turned even into a sleeping car. It is noteworthy that the back door leans so high that you can stand under it without bending your head. On the other hand, it is convenient to load the luggage, because the floor is located low. The bottom is covered with a special soft coating that prevents things that slide in every turn. In addition, you can purchase special nets under which fasteners are prepared in advance. A special curtain will hide the luggage from excessively curious.
Despite its functionality, Caravan has not lost a gram of solidity of Omega sedan. He does not look heavy. Despite the long roof and a huge back door, the car is elegant. You can’t even refuse the stern in some elegance thanks to the original lighting technology.
Inside, this is all the same Opel Omega, however, it seemed to me that the legs for the legs of the rear passengers in the station wagon even more than in the sedan. In a word, it is convenient for everyone, including the driver. It may be a slightly harsh seat, but it must be borne in mind that for the test the editorial office received a car almost in the basic configuration and with one of the weakest gasoline engines with a volume of 2.2 liters, as well as with a mechanical gearbox. However, this equipment includes electric drives of all four glasses, heated mirrors and the same electric drive, front and side airbags, an audio system with a cassette player and the possibility of control using buttons on the steering wheel and a number of options, which are listed too long. Despite the mechanical adjustments of the driver's seat, you can change its height with an electric drive. The steering column moves up and down. In a word, there are no problems with landing. And finally, the excellent sound insulation of the salon is pleasing. The engine is heard only at high speeds, and then if the musical system is muffled.
rest assured
Opel Omega Caravan belongs to the type of cars that you can rely on. Of course, with such an engine, according to its running qualities, it does not have an outstanding dynamics, but Caravan was not created for races. Nevertheless, acceleration provides a confident and even, without sharp pickups in the entire range of the engine speed. Perhaps, the high adhesion pedal, which is unusual for Opel. The programs switch clearly, you will not confuse them.
But the clearance we appreciated when we moved from the highway to the village track. Let me remind you that the car was quite loaded, nevertheless, no problems on the lane did not arise, never once we hooked the bottom on a stone or hill. Undoubtedly, the pendants are configured precisely under Caravan so that the car can cope with the load and provide comfort. Of course, in corners the car was grabbed more than a sedan, but small potholes or fossae swallowed almost imperceptibly for passages. Yes, and did not sank the food, despite the load.
Separately, it is worth saying about the almost ideal weight breeding of this rear -wheel drive car. At high speed, control of the machine is not lost for a second, it does not matter whether the trunk is full or empty. This is also facilitated by excellent steering. The steering wheel is noticeably heavier with an increase in speed, and the feedback does not cause any complaints. The same applies to the brakes of the car. To moderately, a hard pedal has a rather short stroke, and the standardly installed ABS will make up the skid and preserve the controllability of the car on slippery coating even with sharp braking.
... And the picnic was a success. And no extra walkers, please notice. My thorough family friend asked on the way back: how much is Caravan for the people? I honestly answered: 24,990 dollars. And he also said that now official dealers are conducting a special action, so for this money there is also a chance to get a separate climate control system for the driver and the front passenger. Here, as usual, we started talking about competitors-the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 series, Mitsubishi Galant and, of course, about the VW Passat Variant. As a result, a friend said that he should conduct additional marketing. And what to conduct it - and so everything is clear ...
Andrey Osipov
