Opel Omega 3000 24V
The Opel Omega A was one of the most significant cars Opel ever produced. Named after the last letter of the Greek alphabet to symbolize that it was the final word in mid-size luxury sedans, the Omega won the prestigious European Car of the Year award in 1987 — beating the Fiat Croma and Volkswagen Passat. The 3000 24V variant was the performance flagship that demonstrated Opel could compete with BMW at its own game.
The Omega was designed as a thoroughly modern executive sedan with excellent aerodynamics (Cd 0.28 — outstanding for 1986), a spacious interior, and refined mechanicals. The range-topping 3000 24V used the same 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve inline-six as the Senator B, producing 204 hp. In the lighter Omega body, this engine provided genuinely exciting performance — 0-100 km/h in under 8 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h.
The Omega's chassis was a step forward from the Senator. The MacPherson strut front suspension replaced the Senator's double-wishbone setup but proved equally effective. The semi-trailing arm rear suspension provided good compliance and handling balance. The overall driving experience was neutral, composed, and surprisingly engaging for a car that was primarily designed as a comfortable cruiser.
The Omega 3000 was also available with a standard body or a more aggressive '3000' body kit that included wider wheel arches, deeper front and rear bumpers, and unique alloy wheels. The Irmscher-tuned Omega 3000 pushed power further, approaching 230 hp with modified engine management and exhaust.
Beyond the standard 3000 24V, the Omega spawned the legendary Lotus Omega (1990-1992) — a collaboration between Opel and Lotus Engineering that produced 377 hp from a twin-turbocharged version of the straight-six. The Lotus Omega was the fastest production sedan in the world at its launch, capable of 283 km/h.
The standard Omega 3000 24V may not have the Lotus version's exotic power, but it offered 90% of the driving experience at a fraction of the cost and with significantly better reliability. It was a genuine sleeper — an ordinary-looking Opel that could embarrass many more expensive and prestigious competitors on the autobahn.
Rust is the biggest concern — check sills, floor pans, rear wheel arches, and the boot floor. The 3.0L 24V engine is the same unit as in the Senator — robust but check timing chain guides on high-mileage cars. The Getrag manual gearbox is preferable to the automatic. The MacPherson strut front suspension is easier and cheaper to maintain than the Senator's double-wishbone setup. Parts availability is reasonable through Opel specialists. The Omega 3000 body kit (wide arches) is desirable. Interior trim holds up well but headlining can sag. Clean, low-mileage 3000 24V examples are becoming scarce.
Total Omega A production was substantial, but specific 3000 24V numbers are not publicly available. The Omega A was produced from 1986-1993/94. Available as sedan and estate (Caravan). The 3000 was offered from 1987, with the 24V version from 1989. The Lotus Omega (Carlton in UK) was produced 1990-1992 with 950 units built. The Omega was also sold as the Vauxhall Carlton in the UK.