The sports, 2-seat roadster called the Speedster was presented by Opel in 1999, while the first vehicles reached buyers only in 2000. It has some design features common with the Lotus Elite model, and is produced at the British Lotus company. The Speedster is driven by an engine placed centrally before the rear axle. Since the beginning of 2003, this has been a turbocharged 2.0-liter 200 hp unit. The Speedster is a niche model, whose task is to improve the image of the Opel brand.