General Motors’ European operation Opel has confirmed that a compact coupe-roadster will be introduced in 2004 with an electro-hydraulically operated, retractable steel roof. The car will be sold as a Vauxhall in the UK.

“This car is another important milestone on our way to having attractive, niche-models accounting for around 20% of our product range,” said Vauxhall Motors chairman and managing director Kevin Wale.

The French coachbuilder, Groupe Henri Heuliez S.A., will build the new Opel/Vauxhall which is expected to be effectively a replacement for the Corsa-based Tigra coupe, dropped several years ago.

The name and further details will be announced later.