Test drive Opel Omega Sedan 1999 - 2003 sedan
Opel Omega-2002
Price and power - the main components of successThe old motto Adam Opel AG - more for less money - is the best suited to the new version of the flagship of the company from Ryusselsheim - Omega of the 2002 model year. Recently, this car with the V6 engine appeared in the salons of Russian official dealers. Not only the price looks convincing - less than 31 thousand dollars (and we are talking about business class), but also other parameters of the machine. Moreover, the updated Omega allows us to talk about changing the image of cars under this name.
Strictly speaking, it all started a couple of years ago, when the model went through restyling. Preserving such family German qualities as practicality and reliability, the car gained a more solid and at the same time dynamic appearance. The interior was seriously redesigned, the gamut of the engines expanded. But, in my opinion, only now that a new V6 of 2.6 liters appeared, Omega has seriously changed its character.
On the road
The stall is transferred to the handle of an automatic checkpoint to the D (Drive) position and throw my leg to the gas pedal, as I understand it, that there was no trace of the burgher's degree of previous versions. The car literally rushes forward, not allowing me to doubt that under the hood there are really 180 hp, but causing doubts exactly the accuracy of the dynamic characteristics indicated by the plant. - 10, 4 seconds to hundreds. According to subjective sensations, the large Omega accelerates even faster. Perhaps the matter is also a modified transmission that can quickly adapt to the individual driving style. And the torque of 240 Nm, which is reached already at 3400 rpm, provides uniform acceleration up to maximum speed.
Active driving is also promoted by the Servotronic system, which weights the steering wheel with speed growth. Of the other innovations - the Quick Power brake boiler, which is subsidizing the car, if the driver was sharply but not much pressed on the pedal. The pendants were good before, now it is just a role model: even on secondary Moscow roads, they are able to provide comfort, and in steep turns the roll of the body is not at all large. In a word, a great compromise between sports and comfort.
Despite the classic layout, the rear -wheel drive should not scare even an inexperienced driver. The electronic stabilization system, together with ABS, will suffer if the slippery coating or maneuver speed is too large under the wheels. Moreover, the system works, as they say, is ahead of lead. In a fraction of a second, before demolition of the rear wheels, electronics come into effect and brakes one or more wheels in order to maintain exchange rate stability. Moreover, the system behaves quite correctly, without interfering with the driver. The only thing that can upset the active driver is ... too quiet engine. Good temperament should still sound. In this sense, Omega remained faithful to the previous attitudes: the roar of the motor does not attract special attention of outsiders, and the exhaust system ends with a completely ordinary pipe, and not a chrome tip of seven centimeters in diameter. But maybe this is good?
In the cabin at home
So briefly, you can characterize the interior. All control levers are conveniently located, and even the one who is driving Omega for the first time will not have to read the instruction manual. All keys are equipped with appropriate iconograms, even in the dark. On the steering wheel are located the control buttons a very good audio system with a CD player. Moreover, they are also illuminated in the dark, which is not done by all manufacturers even in models of this class. In general, three levels of configuration are offered to choose from - Comfort, Elegance and Executive.
Elegance I went on is the cast discs of the 16th radius, a full electric package, xenon headlights, climate control, immobilizer and much more. The seats of the driver and the front passenger have a complete set of electric drive adjustments. At first, the audio system screen looks somewhat unusual. It is located not on the central console, but next to all the dials, directly on the instrument panel. However, you get used to it quickly, especially since such a layout distracts less from the road.
Price and competitors
Of course, there are plenty of competitors for Opel Omega-Volkswagen Passat, Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5th series, Nissan Maxima and many others. But there are undoubted advantages, the main of which is the price. Try to name at least one business class car with a leather salon, xenon and all that huge list of standard equipment that I already spoke about $ 30,990? And if you calculate the cost of operation, which are quite modest, take into account the guarantee (factory - 2 years, from a number of dealers - 3), then it is easy to conclude: the prospects of Omega V6 in the Russian market are very good.
Vasily Starikov
