The Vauxhall Omega Estate B 2.0i, produced between 1994 and 1998, represents a significant offering in the large family car segment, specifically the station wagon (estate) body style. As a product of Vauxhall, the British arm of General Motors, the Omega Estate B was primarily marketed in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. It served as a practical and spacious vehicle aimed at families and individuals requiring substantial cargo capacity combined with comfortable long-distance cruising. While not officially sold in the United States, understanding its specifications and features provides insight into the European automotive landscape of the mid-1990s.
Vauxhall Omega Estate B: An Overview
The Omega Estate B was part of the second generation of the Omega line, building upon the success of its predecessor. It distinguished itself with a focus on refinement, interior space, and a relatively sophisticated chassis for its time. The 2.0i variant, equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 116 horsepower, was a popular choice, balancing performance with fuel economy. The estate body style, or station wagon, was crucial to the Omega’s appeal, offering a versatile and practical alternative to traditional sedans.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Omega Estate B 2.0i is a naturally aspirated, 1995 cc (121.74 cu. in.) inline-four cylinder engine, designated as the 20SE or X20SE. This engine delivers a maximum power output of 116 horsepower at 5400 rpm, and a torque figure of 205 Nm (151.2 lb.-ft.) at 1650 rpm. The engine’s power-to-litre ratio is 58.1 hp/l. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. This rear-wheel-drive configuration, while becoming less common in the 1990s, contributed to the Omega’s balanced handling characteristics. The vehicle achieves a maximum speed of 203 km/h (126.14 mph). The weight-to-power ratio is 12.6 kg/Hp, and the weight-to-torque ratio is 7.1 kg/Nm. Fuel consumption is rated at 10.8 l/100 km (21.8 US mpg) in urban driving conditions.
Design & Features
The Vauxhall Omega Estate B is a five-door, five-seat station wagon. Its design prioritizes practicality and space. The estate body style provides a generous 540 liters (19.07 cu. ft.) of trunk space with the rear seats up, expanding to a substantial 1800 liters (63.57 cu. ft.) when the rear seats are folded down. The vehicle’s dimensions are: length 4819 mm (189.72 in.), width 1786 mm (70.31 in.), and height 1545 mm (60.83 in.). The wheelbase measures 2730 mm (107.48 in.).
Safety features for the era included an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The front brakes are ventilated discs, while the rear brakes are solid discs. Suspension is independent, utilizing a McPherson strut setup at the front and a multi-link system at the rear, providing a comfortable ride and reasonable handling. Standard tire size is 195/65 R15, mounted on 6.5J x 15 wheels. The drag coefficient of 0.32 contributes to reasonable aerodynamic efficiency.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Vauxhall |
| Model | Omega |
| Generation | Omega Estate B |
| Type (Engine) | 2.0i (116 Hp) |
| Start of production | 1994 |
| End of production | 1998 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Station wagon (estate) |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 10.8 l/100 km (21.8 US mpg) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Maximum speed | 203 km/h (126.14 mph) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 12.6 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 7.1 kg/Nm |
| Power | 116 Hp @ 5400 rpm |
| Power per litre | 58.1 Hp/l |
| Torque | 205 Nm @ 1650 rpm (151.2 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Longitudinal |
| Engine Model/Code | 20SE, X20SE |
| Engine displacement | 1995 cm3 (121.74 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 86 mm (3.39 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 86 mm (3.39 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Engine oil capacity | 4.5 l (4.76 US qt | 3.96 UK qt) |
| Coolant | 9 l (9.51 US qt | 7.92 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1463-1524 kg (3225.36 – 3359.84 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 2085 kg (4596.64 lbs.) |
| Max load | 561-622 kg (1236.79 – 1371.28 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 540 l (19.07 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 1800 l (63.57 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 75 l (19.81 US gal | 16.5 UK gal) |
| Max. roof load | 100 kg (220.46 lbs.) |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%) | 1600 kg (3527.4 lbs.) |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes | 750 kg (1653.47 lbs.) |
| Permitted towbar download | 75 kg (165.35 lbs.) |
| Length | 4819 mm (189.72 in.) |
| Width | 1786 mm (70.31 in.) |
| Width including mirrors | 1960 mm (77.17 in.) |
| Height | 1545 mm (60.83 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2730 mm (107.48 in.) |
| Front track | 1514 mm (59.61 in.) |
| Rear track | 1528 mm (60.16 in.) |
| Rear overhang | 1170 mm (46.06 in.) |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.32 |
| Minimum turning circle | 10.2 m (33.46 ft.) |
| Drivetrain | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Gearbox type | Manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Independent, McPherson with coil spring and anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | Independent multi-link suspension |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Tires size | 195/65 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 6.5J x 15 |
The Vauxhall Omega Estate B 2.0i, while not a high-performance vehicle, offered a compelling package of space, comfort, and practicality for European buyers in the 1990s. Its rear-wheel-drive layout and independent suspension contributed to a driving experience that was considered refined for its class. Though largely unknown in the US market, it remains a representative example of European family car design and engineering from that era.
