Opel Astra V8 Coupe

Opel
Astra V8 Coupé
Production period:	2000-2003
Class :	race car
Racing series	Touring car prototype (DTM)
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Gasoline engine
Length:	4470 mm
Width:	1850 mm
Height:	1250 mm
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :	1050 kg
Previous model	Opel Calibra V6 4 × 4
successor	Opel Vectra GTS V8

The Opel Astra V8 Coupé is a prototype racing car from Adam Opel AG , which was designed for exclusive use in the DTM and competed there against the Abt-Audi TT-R and the Mercedes CLK from 2000 to 2003 . The Astra was the first model from Opel for the new German Touring Car Masters .

DTM

The Astra V8 Coupé for the 2001 DTM season at the 2001 IAA

The Astra V8 Coupé for the 2002 DTM season with the "ears" on the side of the rear wing

The Astra V8 Coupé for the 2003 DTM season

As early as 1998 at the Essen Motor Show, Opel showed a DTM touring car based on the Opel Astra Coupé, which showed developments in German touring car racing. In 2000, Opel presented the Astra Coupé for the 2000 DTM season . This season was the most successful for the Astra Coupé with eight race wins and the runner-up for Manuel Reuter . In the following years, the Astra was no longer capable of winning in the DTM.

In the 2001 DTM season it was permissible to increase the wheelbase due to regulations and to deviate from the standard wheelbase. In addition, the rear wing was allowed to be positioned further behind the car this season. Opel built a completely new development of the Astra with a lot of complicated technology that overwhelmed the teams.

In the 2002 DTM season, Opel took advantage of a loophole in the regulations: the new double-decker standard rear wing presented at the season opener in Hockenheim had two "ears" on the sides. However, these aerodynamic aids were declared as rear wing holders. Nevertheless, Opel was not able to convince much this season; the best result was Alain Menu's third place at the Sachsenring .

The aerodynamics of the vehicles were adjusted again in the 2003 DTM season . So Opel was again made some concessions, but the "ears" were forbidden. Even so, Opel was not very competitive. However, Peter Dumbreck , coming from Mercedes-Benz , who even achieved second place at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz , was able to set accents again and again . Although brought Scheider in Zandvoort pole position, but after a failed pit stop it turned out in the lead.

24-hour race at the Nürburgring

Overall winner of the Nürburgring 24-hour race in 2003

The Opel works team and their Phoenix team started in 2003 with a slightly modified DTM car from the previous year at the Nürburgring 24-hour race . The Astra had already been tested on the Nordschleife as part of VLN races . In the 24-hour race, they competed against the works teams from Audi (who also fielded a DTM car with the TT-R) and BMW in the battle for overall victory. After 24 hours the Opel team, unsuccessful in the DTM, celebrated a sovereign victory. The following year, Opel tried to defend victory. While the DTM had meanwhile switched to the Opel Vectra GTS V8 , the Nordschleife continued with a modified 2003 DTM Astra. However, it was not possible to build on the previous year's success. This ended Opel's works involvement in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

Other uses

The modified Astras for the Nordschleife went into private hands. The Schall team drove the Astra V8 Coupé for several years as part of the VLN. Other Astras from the DTM are still used in hill climbs.

Opel Astra OPC X-treme

The Astra OPC X-treme at the IAA 2001

Based on the 2000 DTM version of the Opel Astra, Opel presented a civil version for road traffic under the name Opel Astra OPC X-treme . The engine had an output of 444 hp and 530 Nm. Despite several customer inquiries, this vehicle was never produced in small series.

Web links

Commons : Opel Astra V8 Coupé DTM  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ autobild.de: wing salad according to the DTM recipe. May 14, 2002, accessed January 2, 2012 . 
2. ↑ autobild.de: Only for X-tremists. February 10, 2002, accessed January 27, 2012 .