OPEL Omega Sedan 1999-2003 Photos, engines & full specs

Opel introduced in 1999 a final facelift for its largest car from the European market, the Omega, trying to save its sedan from extinction.

The Omega was the last RWD sedan built by Opel/Vauxhall in Europe. Its platform might not have been so suitable for European customers, but it indeed suited well the Australian buyers when they received it as a Holden Commodore. But GM couldn't compete with the home-grown BMW 5-series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in terms of performance and image. While the premium market didn't suit Opel's product, they were too expensive for the mass-market vehicles such as the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 605/607, or the Alfa Romeo 164.

The 1999 version was the last facelift for the aging Omega. While it kept the same wheelbase, it was 11 cm (4.3") longer than its non-facelifted version. The redesigned front end meant that Opel installed a new bumper, grille, and headlights. Since its wheelbase remained the same, the carmaker extended both bumpers and redesigned them, so the car had an imposing presence. At the back, the taillights sported a white, clear, upper side with a clear-cut design.

Inside the last of the Omega station-wagon was the addition of a new center console that could include a GPS navigation system with a small color display on it. It was not a common feature for a mass-market brand.

Under the hood, there were new engines. The latest developed 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine developed in-house and built in a state-of-the-art factory in Kaiserslautern – Germany. It featured a new, direct-injection system with four valves per/cylinder. Opel also improved the gasoline units, but their fuel efficiency was not that good.