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NEWcars: 2000 Vauxhall / Opel Omega, 04 September 1999 Further information
The Omega will appeal to many current luxury car buyers. GM hope.

(Vauxhall press release - 02 September 1999)

  • Sharp new styling
  • Emphasis on technology
  • New interior
  • New safety features
  • Debut for new 2.2-litre engine
  • October on-sale date
  • Aiming for German luxury car makers

We previewed the new Omega from GM in July and now we can substantially detail the UK range.

Its purposeful styling, functional interior and innovative safety, comfort and convenience features should ensure its continued UK leadership of the upper midsize segment, outside the major luxury market.

A new 2.2-litre petrol engine, with four valves per cylinder, heads a long list of technical improvements, offering drivers more torque than any other engine in this class.

With the focus on safety an integral part of Omega development, other new features include the refined DSA (Dynamic Safety) chassis (first seen in the Opel / Vauxhall Zafira, higher-performance brakes, active head restraints on the front seats and a mechanical rear seat-back locking system for the estate.

Interior comfort is enhanced through the intelligent dual-zone electronic climate control for the driver and front passenger sides of the car and is supported by air quality and sunlight sensors. The luxury interior is complemented by a new generation of audio, communication and navigation systems in double-DIN format.

Just how fully Vauxhall's designers and engineers have revised the Omega is evident from the fact that more than a third of the car's components have been changed, with 3,000 of the 8,000 individual parts redesigned or modified. Investments in the product and the production process amounted to �100 million.

The UK and Germany are the two most important national markets for the Omega accounting for 22 per cent (UK) and 55 per cent (Germany) of the total sales volume. The majority of British customers prefer the Omega saloon, with one quarter of all buyers last year opting for the estate. Yet the estate has been exceptionally popular in several countries. Almost everywhere, its share of total Omega sales has been well above the average for this market segment. Last year, the overall estate share of the European mid-size segment was 30 per cent, compared with 47 per cent of Omega buyers who chose the estate.

In 1998, the Omega�s 2.0-litre, 16v entry-level unit was the European engine of choice, with 49 per cent of buyers opting for this 135bhp petrol engine. At 21 per cent, the 168bhp 2.5-litre V6 was the second-most popular power plant while places three and four went to two diesel units: the 2.5-litre, in-line six (11 per cent) and the 2.0 DTI 16v with seven per cent of Omega sales.

However, the majority of British buyers preferred the more powerful six-cylinder models. Almost half chose the 2.5-litre V6 engine (against only 12 per cent in Germany). 38 per cent of British buyers chose the 2.0 16v engine.

Varying preferences are evident in the choice of optional extras too. The British were especially interested in communication and entertainment features: 16 per cent (Germany: four per cent) decided to buy a radio-integrated mobile phone, and 53 per cent (Germany: 41 per cent) ordered a top audio system with CD player. UK buyers tended to be less safety conscious than their German counterparts, with only 18 per cent choosing the advanced xenon headlamp technology against Germany's 47 per cent.

Vauxhall's marketing experts predict that the target group for the new Omega will be similarly structured to that for the previous model.

According to their analysis, the Omega is likely to attract demanding customers who expect luxury and high performance. They frequently use their Omega for long-distance business trips and they value, along with the traditional excellent price-performance ratio, its superior road behaviour, its generous space and the innovative communication technologies.

Purchasers of the new Omega can choose between saloon and estate as well as from five different petrol and diesel engines with power outputs from 125 to 205bhp.

Every Omega comes with standard safety features such as active head restraints for the front seats, front and side airbags, three-point automatic seat belts, height-adjustable head restraints for all five passengers and a four-channel ABS braking system with electronic control.

The well-equipped GLS entry-level version has luxury features such as central locking with radio-operated remote control for doors and boot, intelligent electronic air conditioning with air quality sensor, 16-inch alloy wheels, heated windscreen washer nozzles, two-tone horn, electric driver's seat height adjustment, and a height-adjustable steering column.

The CD equipment line up offers the CAR 2005 radio/CD, alarm, front fog lamps, and driver and passenger tilt and lumbar adjustment on heated front seats as well as electric seat height adjustment for passenger as well as driver.

CDX adds a CAR 2006 CD and autochanger, cruise control, electric sunroof and xenon headlamps with washers.

At the Elite 2.5 V6 and 2.5 TD level, owners get a Bose sound system on top of the CAR 2006 audio equipment, automatic self-levelling rear suspension, smart 17-inch alloys, and metallic or pearlescent paint as standard.

Top of the range Elite 3.0 V6 has leather seat trim, or a no-cost option of leather sports seats, and the latest audio/navigation system in readiness for the launch of a satellite-aided Siemens navigation service during 2000.

The new Omega MV6 sets itself apart from the luxury-oriented version with suspension settings tuned to more agile driving coupled with a reduction in drive height of 15mm; unique 17-inch alloy wheels with special tyres, sport seats and an aluminium-look centre console. There is special MV6 visual treatment to the front end, too.

Over and above this, Omega customers can upgrade their cars on an individual basis from a comprehensive range of optional extras. This includes 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels in various spoke designs, anchor points for the Vauxhall Fix child seat system, ride-height control, limited-slip differential, five-stage heated front and rear seats, power sunroof, a four-speed automatic transmission with various driving programmes and advanced, integrated audio, mobile phone and navigation systems.

Styling
The Omega 2000 designers worked to one clear objective: to emphasise the Vauxhall flagship�s elegance and sense of purpose. One of the most important styling cues is the V-shaped bonnet contour, which with its bold lines highlights the confident character of new Omega.

The chrome-surround radiator grille is integrated into the bonnet and gives the front section an altogether more cohesive appearance.

New clear-glass headlamps reinforce the car's up-market statement as well as providing improved lighting along the side of the road. The front bumper has been restyled and colour-keyed in tune with the elegant overall line and the fog lights are set further out to increase the area of lighting ahead.

The heated exterior mirrors have been redesigned for excellent wide-angle view particularly in poor weather, and also to minimise high-speed wind noise. They can also be electrically adjusted, and as an option, may be electrically folded in.

The windscreen washer jets are concealed in the bonnet cowl where they are better protected against dirt.

Headlamps are cleaned more effectively through improvements to the high-pressure washing system, with new fixed jets spraying the glass more accurately than the previous retractable version.

A new range of wheels makes a significant contribution to the fresh overall appearance of Vauxhall�s flagship. In particular, the wheels with internal balance weights opened up new scope for the stylists. Alongside the colour-keyed side protection mouldings and door sills, the modified wheel designs underline Omega's good looks.

Moving up from the GLS version which now has new design 16 inch alloy wheels, the line-up includes five further designs of alloys, in 16-inch and 17-inch sizes.

By lowering the rear bumper the designers have succeeded in rounding off the appearance of new Omega. The boot lid bears a chrome-plated Vauxhall emblem and has an integrated handle without a mechanical lock barrel - the boot is unlocked either by remote-control key or from inside the car. Most prominent styling cues for the estate are new tail lights with striking two-tone design, chunky protection mouldings and - as on the saloon - a restyled rear skirt.

Interior
New Omega retains its predecessor's generous dimensions, making it one of the roomiest and most versatile touring and family cars in its class. With a wheelbase of 2730mm and length, width and height dimensions of 4898mm, 1776mm and 1455mm (estate: 4898/1776/1505mm) it offers high loading capacity as well as luxury accommodation for up to five occupants.

The load-carrying capacity is up to 530 litres for the saloon and 1,800 litres for the estate, among the best figures in its class. In the estate, objects up to about 3m long can be carried with the front passenger seat-back folded down (option). The so-called "black box" volume - the industry's designation for the largest rectangular-shaped object that fits into a car - is 1,235 litres for the estate.

The spacious interior has all the latest gizmos

Functionality and quality were the top priorities in re-designing the Omega�s interior. High-grade, wear-resistant seat upholstery is available in velour and flat-woven fabric. There is a choice of six patterns and three special colours - charcoal, grey and light beige - to harmonise with the chosen body colour.

An elegant new, four-spoke steering wheel and the smart door panel trim, which echoes the cockpit design, fulfil the dual aim of optimising quality and functionality. The steering wheel has remote controls for the audio system. Front doors have enclosed compartments and open bins with ample storage space. The wide central armrest incorporates an extra storage compartment, a large bin and a cup holder.

For better access, power switches for the windows and the outside mirrors have been relocated to the door armrest.

The logical layout of the centre console provides maximum driver and front passenger convenience while its surround sets it apart from the adjacent areas. In the GLS the surround is "soft paint" black whereas fine wood trim has been chosen for the CD, CDX and Elite versions; the MV6 an aluminium finish. The redesigned console also accommodates the switch clusters for the climate control system and the new double DIN slot for the audio system.

The intelligent, automatic heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which can be operated separately by the driver and front passenger, is a classic example.

This means the system is immune to false temperature measurements caused by heat from components like the audio system or unsuitable air-outlet settings. The result is a stable in-car climate that greatly enhances comfort on every journey.

Air-conditioning specialists at Vauxhall's International Technical Development Centre (ITDC) have produced a process control software with more than 200 sets of environmental parameters to match the chosen settings under the most diverse conditions. Conventional climate control systems use around 20 sets of operating characteristics.

Even when the new Omega has been parked, the system continues to monitor outside conditions like temperature and sunlight for two hours, and uses the measurements to prepare itself for the next journey. The climate control system also provides individual fan settings when in automatic mode.

The dual-zone sun sensor registers not only the strength of the sun�s rays but also their direction to ensure accurate climate control for both sides of the car. Once set, the electronic climate control system adapts automatically to changing conditions.

Air quality in Omega's passenger compartment is closely monitored by an Air Quality Sensor (AQS) which uses chemical reactions on its surface to detect potentially harmful vapours in the air entering the vehicle.

If specified thresholds are exceeded, the system switches automatically to recirculation mode. It operates dynamically, never recirculating the air in the passenger compartment long enough for it to become stale. In inner-city areas, for example, sufficient fresh air remains available even if there are pollutant emissions in the surrounding air. A pollen filter traps particles and unpleasant odours before they reach the passenger compartment.

The communication systems for the new Omega are an integral part of its comfortable interior. The operating controls for the new double-DIN format audio system are well-spaced with a clear button and switch layout. Additional functions are easy to add at a later stage.

State-of-the-art audio technology is represented by the new CDR 2005/CCR 2006 (each with 4 x 20 watts) equipment generations with a cassette player, a CD player, or a cassette player with CD changer, all of which can be operated from the steering-wheel controls. Cassette players, as opposed to standard CD equipment, are a no-cost option.

Combined audio and mobile phone functions are provided by the CCRT 2008 unit. Perfect integration makes extra consoles and wiring unnecessary.

Both modes can be operated from the steering wheel remote controls. The standard hands-free device permits ease of use of the telephone. The telephone system can be operated with either a large SIM card or a small card with an adapter and has all the features associated with a modern mobile phone system.

In conjunction with the CCR 2006 and CCRT 2008 versions, which come with integrated four-CD changers, Omega buyers can opt for a specially developed, high-grade, Bose Sound System. It has eight treble, wide band and bass loudspeakers (seven in the station wagon) for perfect hi-fi enjoyment. The CD changer is integrated in the console, a major advantage over space-consuming glove-compartment or load-bay solutions.

A state-of-the-art combined audio and navigation system, NCDR 2013, will be available next year.

The entertainment section consists of a 4 x 20-watt hi-fi system with a CD player and changer, while the electronic "scout" service is provided by a satellite-aided Siemens navigation device with an extremely fast 32-bit processor.

Once the Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is available in the UK, drivers will be able to access constantly updated traffic news in short-message format. A wide choice of information is available -- traffic conditions, weather, waiting times, warnings, up-to-the minute news etc.

Drivers will also be able to ask the navigation system to work out a traffic-jam avoiding alternative route. This advanced system can be extended later by means of a software update to incorporate a dynamic route-guidance function. TMC data is then automatically utilised by the navigation system when selecting the route.

Supporting the navigation system's audio output, visual route guidance is now provided through a centrally integrated multi-information display monitor with a 5-inch screen. Detailed road maps can also be displayed in conjunction with the optional colour monitor.

The map can be shown in the direction of travel or facing north. The 32-bit processor ensures fast route calculation and map display. Using a special atlas function, map sections can be shown in different scales from detailed close-ups (1 inch to 270 yds) to regional overviews which depict 30 miles on just one-third of an inch on the display. Points of interest may be superimposed on the screen.

The system's CD-ROMs store information on hotels, car-parks, restaurants, hospitals, filling stations, airports and rail stations.

And when you want the navigation system to guide you home from your holiday, you need only push the special "home" button.

All the combined radio/navigation systems have a "Digital Sound Processor" (DSP) which, depending on the sound source, can make different controls available.

For the first time, Vauxhall is offering this generation of systems with Programme Type Information (PTY). Wherever radio channels support this system with the appropriate signals, drivers can select their favourite type of programme from a list including pop, rock, jazz, light classical, news, sport etc.

Current audio settings and computer functions are simultaneously shown on the central display. The navigation/radio systems are operated by a push-and-turn button with pop-up menus on the monitor. The display begins with a home page which splits into main and sub menus in a clear, easy-to-follow structure.

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