Opel vows to field minimum of four new Vectras.

The 2004 DTM will be sporting a brand-new appearance as, instead of banking on coup?s, Audi, Mercedes and Opel will have to switch to four or five-door saloons.

Following extensive wind tunnel tests, Opel opted for the Vectra GTS five-door fastback saloon and, under the direction of chief design engineer Jean-Claude Martens, the DTM version of the car, powered by a 470bhp Opel four-litre V8, is being developed at the OPC DTM Centre - established by Opel last year in Bobingen near Augsburg. Suspension components of the Vectra GTS V8, installed in the Astra V8 Coup?, have successfully passed initial tests performed by test driver Marcel Tiemann at the Misano and Vallelunga race tracks in Italy.

The roll-out of the Vectra GTS V8 is scheduled for early February, and four cars will feature in the championship this season.

"We're completely on schedule at the moment," confirmed Opel motorsport director Volker Strycek, "Design and aerodynamics are currently the focal areas of our development work, and the preparation of the first vehicle is planned to start in early January.

"We're going to prepare at least four new Vectra GTS V8s and are determined to fight for victories in the 2004 DTM, as well. The Astra V8 Coup?, too, will be fielded in the series. We're continuing to pursue our objective of competing with a total of seven cars."