Oldsmobile Intrigue

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Oldsmobile Intrigue
Oldsmobile-Intrigue.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
ProductionMay 5, 1997–June 14, 2002
Model years 1998–2002
Assembly Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Designer Brigid O'Kane (1993) [1]
Pete Lawlis, interior [2]
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size car
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform W-body 2nd Gen/GMX170
Related
Powertrain
Engine 3.8 L L36 OHV V6
3.5 L LX5 DOHC V6
Transmission 4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 109.0 in (2,769 mm)
Length195.9 in (4,976 mm)
Width73.6 in (1,869 mm)
Height56.6 in (1,438 mm)
Curb weight 3,455 lb (1,567 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The Oldsmobile Intrigue is a mid-size sedan that was manufactured from 1997 through 2002 by Oldsmobile. The Intrigue's design cues were first seen in 1995 with the Oldsmobile Antares concept car, being unveiled in production form in January 1996 at the North American International Auto Show. The Intrigue was the first casualty in the three-year phase-out process of Oldsmobile; Olds' remaining models would last an additional year or two.

Contents

The Oldsmobile Intrigue was introduced on May 5, 1997 as a 1998 model, and replaced the aging Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. It rode on the second-generation of the W-body, which it shared with the Buick Regal. The Oldsmobile Intrigue was supposed to compete with upscale Japanese and European imports such as Acura and BMW. [3] The Oldsmobile Intrigue was heavily inspired by the Oldsmobile Aurora and the 1995 Oldsmobile Antares concept.

History

Oldsmobile Intrigue rear 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL in Silver, rear left.jpg
Oldsmobile Intrigue rear

The Intrigue was available in three trim levels: base GX, mid-level GL, and high-end GLS. All models were equipped with standard features such as V6 power, antilock brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, dual front airbags, and full power accessories. GL trim included the addition of a 6-way power adjustable driver's seat, 6-speaker audio system, foglamps, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Top-line GLS added 6-way power front passenger seat, faux woodgrain interior trim, steering wheel audio controls, leather seating, full-function traction control, and a six-speaker Bose sound system. [4]

All Intrigues were built at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas, where the Grand Prix was also built (the Buick Century and Regal, and the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo were all built in Oshawa, Ontario). For the 1999 model year, a new 3.5 L DOHC engine was introduced. It was a six-cylinder design based on Cadillac's Northstar V8, which was nicknamed the "Shortstar". The 3.5 L engine became standard for 2000, giving the Intrigue the most powerful standard engine of any W-body car.

Another exclusive was a standard 140 mph speedometer. With the Autobahn package the Intrigue came with larger 12-inch front brake rotors, being the first 2nd Gen W-body to incorporate bigger brakes. For 1998-99 models the Autobahn package consisted of a 3.29 differential ratio opposed to the standard 3.05, H-rated tires, 12-inch front brakes with ceramic pads, and a 128 mph speed limiter. For 2000 it was renamed Precision Sport Package which included everything from the Autobahn package except the larger 12-inch front brake rotors, and added the Precision Control System (also known as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)).[ citation needed ] For 2002 the Intrigue Final 500 Collector’s Edition cars came in a unique Dark Cherry Metallic paint and featured Aurora-styled 17x7.5-inch chrome wheels.

On June 14, 2002, the final Intrigue rolled off the assembly line as part of the Final 500 Collectors Edition.[ citation needed ]

Year-to-year changes

Final 500 #499 was the last retail model and was special-ordered by a member of the Southern California Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America.

One-Off Variants

Engines

Sales

199723,460
199890,563
199990,057
200064,109
200139,395
200215,015
2003789
200455

Source: [6]

XFilesExpo1998.jpg

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References

  1. "Brigid O'Kane - Interim Director, School of Design" (PDF). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  2. "Oldsmobile Intrigue and Antares" . Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  3. Richard Truett. "Oldsmobile reinvents itself". Orlando Sentinel .
  4. Oldsmobile Factory Sales Brochure "1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue"
  5. "Oldsmobile's collection 2". YouTube .
  6. GM US Databook 2005 autointell.com
  7. Stanley, T.L. (January 12, 1998). "FOX, GM Generate Intrigue Around X-po". Brandweek. Prometheus Global Media. 39 (2).
  8. "Co-Marketing the Truth in the 'X-Files' and the Oldsmobile Intrigue". International Association of Business Communicators. Detroit. November 17, 1998.