Oldsmobile Omega Third Generation 1980–1984
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
1984 Oldsmobile Omega sedan
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1979–1984 |
| Model years | 1980–1984 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
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| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform | X-body |
| Related |
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| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Transmission |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105 in (2,667.0 mm) |
| Length | 181.8 in (4,617.7 mm) |
| Width | 69.8 in (1,772.9 mm) |
| Height | 53.7 in (1,364.0 mm) |
The X-bodies were all-new front-wheel drive cars for 1980.
Engine choices were now limited to Pontiac's Iron Duke inline-four engine and the new corporate 2.8 L LE2 V6 designed specifically for this platform. Unlike the Chevrolet Citation, which the car was based upon, the Omega range consisted of a 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan, with upright styling and a distinctive split grille.
Aside from the standard and brougham models produced in all five years, sportier models were also built. These included the SX coupe (replaced by the ES in 1982), ES sedan, and pioneering plastic-fendered SportOmega, which came with wild red-and-orange striping, white-over-gray paint, and a sloping front grille assembly shared with the SX and ES.
Beginning in 1982, the Chevrolet high-output (130 horsepower) 2.8L V6 became available on ES models.
The X-body Omega, like its sister vehicles (the Chevrolet Citation, Pontiac Phoenix and Buick Skylark, proved fairly trouble-prone early on, necessitating an astounding number of government-mandated recalls for braking problems, fluid leaks and suspension issues. While Omega was the only one of the four X-cars to sell better in 1981 than in 1980 (147,918 versus 134,323), starting in 1982, production fell dramatically. Only 77,469 Omegas were built in '82, with 53,926 in 1983 and 52,986 in swan-song 1984.
For 1985, the Omega was replaced by the N-body Calais.