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In the 2004 season, the DTM will be sporting a “new look“: For the first time ever in the history of Europe’s leading touring car series, four-door saloons will be fielded. The name of Opel’s new contender: Vectra GTS V8.
Opel’s brand new DTM racer has been developed at the OPC DTM Center in
Bobingen near Augsburg, Germany. “Of course we’ve been able to benefit from the
experience gained in recent years. Nevertheless, the Vectra V8 is a completely
new design, which will open up a new chapter in our DTM history as well,” says
Opel motorsport director Volker Strycek. Strycek, a former DTM champion himself,
personally took the new Vectra V8 out on its first venture on the test track in
Colmar, France, in early February and was immediately taken with the new racer:
“The car handles very well, and the engine’s responsiveness is excellent.”
The body design of the new vehicle has been inspired by the Vectra GTS, the sportiest version of the Vectra model range. Following extensive aerodynamic tests, the development team opted for the fastback version, as this layout was found to offer advantages over the notchback model.
Underneath the Vectra’s body shell there is a highly effective safety structure consisting of a space frame, an integrated survival cell of high-strength carbon fibre reinforced plastic and programmed crash absorption structures. A DTM standard profile rear wing provides downforce at the rear axle. The design options for other aerodynamic components are prescribed in detail by DTM technical regulations.
The DTM Vectra’s primary suspension components are double wishbones front and rear, central wheel mounts, anti-roll bars at all four wheels, shock absorbers with adjustable jounce and rebound as well as power steering. The ventilated brake discs are made from carbon fibre, the aluminium brake calipers are standard DTM components.
The Opel Vectra GTS V8 is powered by a longitudinally mounted 4.0-litre V8 engine delivering 350 kW/476 hp. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels by a carbon fibre clutch and a longitudinally mounted sequential transaxle racing gearbox.
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 | Technical Specifications |
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| Engine: |
V8-engine, longitudinal at front, cylinder
bank angle 90°, cylinder interval 102 mm, four chain-operated
overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, two air-intake
restrictors with a diameter of 28 mm each |
| Displacement: |
3998 cc |
| Bore: |
93.0 mm |
| Stroke: |
73.0 mm |
| Compression: |
13.0:1 |
| Performance: |
approx. 348 kW/475 hp at 6,800 rpm |
| Max. torque: |
approx. 510 Nm at 5,500 rpm |
| Engine management: |
Bosch MS 2.9.2 |
| Exhaust gas
cleaning: |
three-way
catalytic converter |
| Lubrication: |
dry-sump |
|
Transmission: |
longitudinal transaxle competition gearbox
(DTM control part, manufacturer: X-trac) with six spur gears,
non-synchronised, sequential gearshift, fixed gear ratios,
variable total ratio; carbon fibre clutch, mechanical self-locking
differential; rear wheel drive |
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Bodywork: |
tubular frame with integrated CFK driver’s
safety cell, integrated safety concept with crash boxes at front
and rear as well as lateral crash structure, double-layer aerofoil
with DTM control profile |
| Fuel tank capacity: |
70 l |
| Length: |
4,883 mm |
| Width: |
1,850 mm |
| Height: |
1,250 mm |
| Wheelbase: |
2,800 mm |
| Track: |
1,600 mm front, 1,550 mm rear |
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Suspension: |
double wishbones front and rear, central
wheel mounts, stabilisers front and rear, shock absorbers with
adjustable drag and tow, power steering |
| Wheels: |
front 10x18 inch, rear 11x18 inch |
| Tyres: |
front 265/660 R18, rear 280/660 R18 (DTM
control tyres, manufacturer: Dunlop) |
| Brakes: |
front self-ventilated carbon discs (diameter
380 mm), rear self-ventilated carbon discs (diameter 340 mm),
aluminium brake callipers with six pistons front and four pistons
rear (DTM control parts, manufacturer: AP) |
| Minimum weight: |
1,080 kg, driver included |
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