Opel Senator

Opel Senator: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Opel Senator catalogue covers two Sedan generations: the first from 1978 to 1987 and the second from 1987 to 1993. Choosing between them is mainly a question of drivetrain specification. The first generation ranges from a 1,979 cc, 100 hp 2.0 MT to a 2,969 cc, 154 hp 3.0 MT among the listed versions.

The Opel Senator catalogue covers two Sedan generations: the first from 1978 to 1987 and the second from 1987 to 1993. Choosing between them is mainly a question of drivetrain specification. The first generation ranges from a 1,979 cc, 100 hp 2.0 MT to a 2,969 cc, 154 hp 3.0 MT among the listed versions. The second starts with 140 hp 2.5 models and extends to the 3,983 cc, 272 hp 4.0 MT and 4.0 AT. Every listed Senator is Gasoline, naturally aspirated and RWD. Buyers prioritizing performance should examine the 204 hp 3.0 or 272 hp 4.0 versions; the 140 hp 2.5 MT is the second generation’s most economical version with complete consumption data.

Opel Senator generations: what changed?

The first-generation Opel Senator was offered as a Sedan from 1978 to 1987. The database identifies 18 modifications, of which 12 are shown here. They include Inline engines with either 4 or 6 cylinders, displacements from 1,979 to 2,969 cc, and outputs from 100 to 154 hp. Transmission choices are 4-speed Manual and 3-speed Automatic, always with RWD. For someone comparing an Opel Senator 1980 with later cars, this generation provides the lowest-output entry point and the only listed 4-cylinder choices.

The second-generation Opel Senator was offered as a Sedan from 1987 to 1993 in 12 modifications. All listed engines have 6 cylinders in an Inline layout and are mounted Front, longitudinal. Displacement runs from 2,490 to 3,983 cc, while power ranges from 140 to 272 hp. The transmissions are 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic, and every version is RWD. Compared with the first generation’s listed transmissions, both Manual and Automatic models gain one forward gear.

Opel Senator engine and specs

Repeated names are distinguished by power because the database contains several different 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT, 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT specifications.

Among first-generation engines, the 2.0 MT produces 50.5 hp per litre, while the 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT produce 52.3 hp per litre. The three 2.5 output levels produce approximately 46.2, 52.2 and 56.2 hp per litre. The 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT produce 50 hp per litre, and the 3.0 MT reaches about 51.9 hp per litre.

In the second generation, the 2.5 models produce approximately 56.2 hp per litre, the 2.6 models 57.8 hp per litre, and the 154 hp 3.0 models 51.9 hp per litre. The 177 hp 3.0 versions deliver 59.6 hp per litre, while the 204 hp 3.0 versions reach 68.7 hp per litre. The 4.0 MT and 4.0 AT produce approximately 68.3 hp per litre. On this calculation, the 204 hp 3.0 has the highest specific output in the catalogue, narrowly ahead of the 272 hp 4.0.

Opel Senator performance and fuel economy

The second-generation 2.6 MT is 0.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the 2.5 MT, but its combined consumption is 0.8 L/100 km higher. Moving from the 177 hp 3.0 MT to the 204 hp 3.0 MT adds 27 hp, cuts acceleration time by 1.2 seconds and raises top speed by 27 km/h. It also lowers the measured combined figure by 0.4 L/100 km.

The 204 hp 3.0 AT is 1.5 seconds quicker and 27 km/h faster than the 177 hp 3.0 AT. Both record 9 L/100 km combined, while the 204 hp version uses 0.7 L/100 km less in the city and 0.2 L/100 km more on the highway.

The 4.0 MT and 4.0 AT provide the maximum recorded performance: 6.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 255 km/h. That is 1.3 seconds quicker and 15 km/h faster than the 204 hp 3.0 MT. Fuel consumption for both 4.0 versions is not measured.

First-generation performance coverage is less complete. The 2.2 MT records 12 seconds to 100 km/h, the 130 hp 2.5 MT 11.5 seconds, the 140 hp 2.5 MT 11 seconds, and the 2.8 MT 10 seconds. Acceleration for the other listed first-generation versions is not measured. Top speed and city, highway and combined consumption are not measured for every listed first-generation version.

Opel Senator dimensions, weight and capacity

Exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Opel Senator version, so the supplied data cannot support a numerical Opel Senator dimensions comparison.

Every listed version has 140 mm of ground clearance. First-generation kerb weight, gross weight and fuel-tank capacity are not measured. Wheel sizes are also not measured.

In the second generation, the 2.5 MT, 2.6 MT, 3.0 MT (177 hp) and 3.0 MT (204 hp) each have a 1,455 kg kerb weight. At that weight, their power-to-weight results are approximately 10.4, 9.7, 8.2 and 7.1 kg per hp respectively. Kerb weight for the 2.5 AT, 2.6 AT and all listed 3.0 AT versions is not measured. Kerb weight for the 154 hp 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT is also not measured.

The 4.0 MT and 4.0 AT each weigh 1,640 kg, equivalent to approximately 6.0 kg per hp. They are 185 kg heavier than the second-generation Manual versions with a recorded 1,455 kg kerb weight, but their 272 hp output gives them the best measured weight-per-horsepower result.

Gross weight is 2,005 kg for all second-generation 2.5, 2.6, 177 hp 3.0, 204 hp 3.0 and 4.0 versions. Gross weight for the 154 hp 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT is not measured. Every second-generation version has a 75 L tank; wheel sizes are not measured.

Which Opel Senator version should you buy?

For the lowest measured fuel consumption, choose the second-generation 2.5 MT. Its 8.6 L/100 km combined result is the best available, paired with 140 hp, 205 Nm, an 11-second acceleration time and a 210 km/h top speed. It also has the lightest recorded second-generation kerb weight at 1,455 kg, shared with several more powerful Manual versions.

For a modest step above the 2.5 MT, the 2.6 MT adds 10 hp and 15 Nm. It is 0.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 3 km/h faster, although combined consumption rises from 8.6 to 9.4 L/100 km. The 2.6 AT retains the same 150 hp and 220 Nm but is 1 second slower than the 2.6 MT and 5 km/h slower at maximum speed.

For the strongest balance of measured acceleration, speed and economy, the second-generation 3.0 AT (204 hp) is a compelling Automatic. Against the 3.0 AT (177 hp), it adds 27 hp and 30 Nm while keeping combined consumption at 9 L/100 km. The 3.0 MT (204 hp) is quicker still at 7.8 seconds and reaches 240 km/h, although its combined consumption is 0.2 L/100 km higher than that of the 204 hp Automatic.

Choose the 4.0 MT or 4.0 AT when maximum performance is the priority. Both deliver 272 hp and 395 Nm, complete 0–100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and reach 255 km/h. Their measured performance is identical despite the different gearboxes. Their consumption is not measured, so no economy comparison with the 3.0 versions is possible.

Within the first generation, the 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT share 115 hp and 188 Nm, while the Manual has 4 speeds and the Automatic has 3. The three listed 2.5 output levels make the choice clearer: 115, 130 or 140 hp from the same 2,490 cc displacement. The 140 hp 2.5 versions provide 25 hp more than the 115 hp versions without increasing displacement. For the recorded Manual models, acceleration improves from 11.5 seconds in the 130 hp 2.5 MT to 11 seconds in the 140 hp 2.5 MT.

The first-generation 2.8 MT offers the same 140 hp as the strongest first-generation 2.5 MT but uses 310 cc more displacement. The first-generation 3.0 MT adds 14 hp over both, although its acceleration and top speed are not measured. Buyers who require fully documented performance and economy therefore have much more comparative information among the second-generation versions.

No purchase-price, sale, reliability, problems, interior or coupe data is supplied. Those points cannot be used to rank the versions. Based strictly on the measured specifications, the 2.5 MT is the economy choice, the 3.0 AT (204 hp) is the measured all-round Automatic choice, the 3.0 MT (204 hp) is the faster 3.0, and the 4.0 MT or 4.0 AT is the outright performance choice.