17 October 2002: Opel has launched its fastest-ever volume production car, the Vectra GTS 5-door coupe powered by the 211bhp 3.2-litre V6 ECOTEC engine.

The car also has a 1.8-litre 122bhp engine option, and the price range is from E29,150-E44,160. It comes in Sport and Elegance specifications

In keeping with its sporty looks, the GTS has had suspension tweaking to make the most of the power available in its senior specification, and the car rides lower than its saloon sibling. There is also a wide range of electronic driver aid, which proved themselves to a group of us today at Mondello Park racing circuit.

Included among these is Cornering Brake Control which regulates braking in individual wheels when it sense trouble while cornering. There's also an Electronic Stability Programme, and Opel has designed an Interactive Driving System involving detailed improvements to the suspension and chassis, allied with the ABS and CBC, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist.

The systems particularly proved their worth when the car was driven hard around a skid-pan wet surface test area, and simulating an emergency stop while going hard around a bend provided an impressive experience of the systems 'taking control' when a driver has lost it.

Equally, as a passenger in the new car, being driven hard around the racing circuit, I found that everything felt very in control, while a similar drive in an older Vectra with nothing other than standard ABS led to much more dramatic cornering, and uncomfortable movement.

In performance terms, the two new cars can do the 0-62mph in 11.2sec and 7.4sec in different engine configurations. The top-of-the-range car can be specified with a new 5-speed adaptive automatic transmission, which also has 'tiptronic-style' manual capability.

Visually - apart from the 'fastback' styling, the front of the GTS has an extended 'power scoop' airdam under the front number-plate, and the 'stacked' headlamps surrounds have been darkened to further distinguish the car coming up in the rear-view mirror.

Interior detailing includes special sports seats, which felt pretty good, although on a frosty morning the leather was a little on the chilly side for a while. A distinctive steering wheel has a leather cover, and chrome inserts on the wheel and in the gearshift emphasise the car's younger nature.

It is a very aerodynamically-efficient car, with a Cd rating of 0.28, and Opel claims the noise levels are class-leading thanks to such features as a very sophisticated door seal design and careful positioning of the windscreen wipers, among other elements.

Aluminium has been used in suspension components, chassis and in manufacture of the bonnet. Safety elements already familiar in the Vectra range include six airbags and Opel's Pedal Release System. The front seats have Active Head Restraints, which move to an optimum protective position in the event of a rear impact.

The car is aimed at a younger buyer than is the Vectra saloon launched earlier this year, and may well represent up to 25 per cent of sales here, according to Iede Aukema, managing director of Opel Ireland.

The Vectra is a solid car, gaining quite a few new owners in its third-generation format. Along with the saloon and the GTS now launched here, the range will be further extended next year with the arrival of the wagon version and the Signum.