Opel Astra V8 Coupé (Opel Team Phoenix) DTM '00

"A monster in the shape of an Astra; a DTM machine that terrorized the series in the year 2000."
*The Opel Astra was sold as the Vauxhall Astra in the UK. Germany's popular GT race, the DTM (Deutsch Tourenwagen Meisterschaft or German Touring Car Championship) disappeared in 1996 when its was absorbed by the ITCC.[1] (International Touring Car Championship). But in 2000, the DTM resurfaced with a new format. On the grid at the opening race were the Mercedes-Benz CLK Touring Car, the Audi TT-R Touring Car, and the Opel Astra V8 Touring Car.

Despite looking similar to the production Coupe, Opel's DTM machine was an entirely different car, purpose built to the details. Under the hood was a 4.0-liter V8 that cranked out 454 BHP. It was mated to a heavy-duty sequential 6-speed gearbox that managed the power sent to the rear wheels. Weighing in at a lean 1000 kg, the Astra DTM was a proverbial road rocket.

Opel Team Phoenix finished 1-2 in both the first and second races at Oschersleben, and registered yet another victory in the first race of the third round in Norisring. Opel temporarily stalled midway through the series, but regained its momentum at the end of the season. Although Opel missed winning the team championship, lead driver Manuel Reuter finished 2nd in the Driver's Championship. Opel's other drivers fared well, too, with a 5th and 6th place finish by Joachim Winkelhock and Bruno Arnsten, respectively. Teams running the Opel race car placed 2nd and 4th in the Constructor's Championship.