- 257
- Deep inside
- N1Spandel
LS1 in the Omega B, the last Opel with rear-wheel-drive? Hell yes!
Why this was never built is a mystery, given that the car was scheduled for launch in autumn 2000.
Development however turned out to be difficult. The 5.7L V8 didn't fit in the Omega's engine bay, which in parts dated back to the 1960's Rekord. This required a redesigned engine bay, but the 4L60E automatic transmission turned out to be a much bigger problem. The transmission apparently was not able to withstand 6000rpm for a longer period of time, and fixing the issues would have delayed the launch by several months. In the end, this led to the cancellation of the Omega V8 project.
It would probably have been easier to convert the Holden Commodore (which was built on the same platform) to left-hand-drive and slap Opel badges on it.
In the end 32 Omega V8 prototypes and pre-production cars have been built, many of which are still in use at the Opel plant in Rüsselsheim.
Facts:
5650cc OHV LS1 V8 engine, 310bhp, 450Nm
4-speed GM 4L60E automatic transmission, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 in 6.9s, 250kph (155mph) limited
Why this was never built is a mystery, given that the car was scheduled for launch in autumn 2000.
Development however turned out to be difficult. The 5.7L V8 didn't fit in the Omega's engine bay, which in parts dated back to the 1960's Rekord. This required a redesigned engine bay, but the 4L60E automatic transmission turned out to be a much bigger problem. The transmission apparently was not able to withstand 6000rpm for a longer period of time, and fixing the issues would have delayed the launch by several months. In the end, this led to the cancellation of the Omega V8 project.
It would probably have been easier to convert the Holden Commodore (which was built on the same platform) to left-hand-drive and slap Opel badges on it.
In the end 32 Omega V8 prototypes and pre-production cars have been built, many of which are still in use at the Opel plant in Rüsselsheim.
Facts:
5650cc OHV LS1 V8 engine, 310bhp, 450Nm
4-speed GM 4L60E automatic transmission, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 in 6.9s, 250kph (155mph) limited
