Background: It's an Intriguing time for Oldsmobile. For years, Oldsmobile got great mileage from its upscale, all-American-car image. It was a plan not dissimilar from GM's Buick Division and for decades, both never considered threatened from Japanese carmakers who for the most part, were content with smaller-scale vehicles. But then the automotive world evolved in a different direction. Global competition began to take hold. Luxury nameplates like Lexus and Acura entered the picture and Oldsmobile lost luster and sales. Oldsmobile's sales plummeted in the early 1990s from heyday sales as recently as the in the mid 1980s. It was time for Oldsmobile to re-invent itself. Over the last five years, Oldsmobile has transformed into an import-fighting division, battling back to regain buyers who tend to visit non-domestic dealerships. Since 1994, Oldsmobile has introduced its Flagship Aurora sedan, the new 1997 Cutlass sedan and mid-size, 1998 Intrigue sedan. Oldsmobile's 1999 Alero compact offering debuts next month During this same time period, the automaker dropped its cylindrical rocket logo in favor of a circular icon. On August 21, 1997, Oldsmobile became the first American automaker to celebrate its centennial celebration, the first to reach 100 years in business.
New for 1998: Since the front-wheel drive, five-passenger Intrigue debuted last year as a 1998 edition, it's all new. It replaced the Cutlass Supreme in Oldsmobile's marketing mix. The four-door Intrigue shares the same automotive platform as GM's Pontiac Grand Prix and the Buick Regal, but visually, the three look distinctly different. It's a well-equipped sedan with one powertrain offering. General Motors assembles Intrigue at its Kansas City, Mo. assembly facility.
Trim Levels: Intrigue and Intrigue GL are the two offerings one finds at Oldsmobile dealers. The GL edition includes such step-up features automatic dual-zone air conditioning, heated side-view mirrors, fog lamps and remote keyless entry.
Engine: The sole powertrain is General Motors' 3.8-liter, 24-valve V-6 Series II engine delivering 195 horsepower. This engine is found in other GM products and boasts more power than the six-cylinder Camry and Nissan Maxima.
Safety features: Intrigue is well stocked with safety features including: dual air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, daytime running lights, PASSlock anti-theft deterrent, front and rear crumple zones and child safety rear door locks.
Price: Our up-level Intrigue GL had a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $22,100. With optional equipment including leather seats, compact disc player, steering wheel-mounted secondary radio controls and heavy-duty brakes, the bottom line totaled $24,370 including a $550 destination charge. Base Intrigues start around $20,700
Standard equipment: Intrigue is well equipped with air conditioning, power steering, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, four-speed electronic automatic transmission, rear-window defroster, rack and pinion power assist steering along with power windows and power locks standard.
Optional equipment: Leather interior nuances, steering wheel radio controls and special radial tires are optional in the upper-level GL edition only. Rear seats with the 60/40 split, compact disc player and a six speaker sound system are standard fare in GL and optional in the Base edition. Moonroofs, rear spoilers and 12-unit compact disc changers are optional in both editions.
Interior: The instrument panel includes a second vertical gear shift indicator surrounded by circular odometer and tachometer gauges. Smaller fuel and engine temperature gauges flank the ends. Fuel and truck release levers, conveniently found on the instrument panel instead of the floor where many sedans place them, are within easy reach of the driver. The digital clock is incorporated into the radio's frequency display. Our Intrigue placed dual automatic climate control settings below the radio/compact disc/cassette player unit. Between the front bucket seats is a flip-to storage bin/arm rest. A retractable cup holder folds out from the front and there is a second cup-holder in front of the floor-mounted automatic transmission. A portable ash tray can be positioned in the cup holder if so desired. Headlights twist on from the turn signal stalk and windshield wipers operate from a right-hand side stalk. The large interior door handles are easy to locate, even in the dark while power lock and window buttons on the driver's door were small in scale. The ignition switch is found on the dashboard, not the steering column and cruise control functions are mounted on the steering wheel. By incorporating triple door seals, unit-body construction and tightly mounted side glass windows, Intrigue's interior keeps most road noises on the outside. Seating comfort: Intrigue boasts more leg room than Nissan Maxima and more headroom than the Ford Taurus. And there's enough room for three full-size adults in back, a claim not all mid-size sedans offer. Retracting dual cup holders are also found in back. Blind spots are minimized so drivers have good road perception in all directions. Drivers of the GL edition enjoy the comforts of a six-way adjustable power front seat. Cloth seats come standard and leather seating is available in GL. Head and leg room in front and back is average for the mid-size sedan category.
Exterior: Very little chrome enhancements decorate Intrigue's exterior. Front headlights are long, rectangular and wrap around into the front fenders. It's front hood slopes down to the circular Oldsmobile logo placed between the front headlights. The traditional front grille is virtually non-existent on this car. The four flush-mounted exterior door handles are body color as are oval-designed fold-away, side-view mirrors. Large, sixteen-inch, Goodyear Eagle aluminum wheels come standard. The radio antenna, molded into the rear window in our GL edition, should be safe through dozens of car washes. Exterior color choices include: bright white, silver, blue, charcoal, green, black, gold, purple, red and green-gray.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 109.0 inches Overall length: 195.9 inches Overall width: 73.6 inches Overall height: 56.6 inches Front headroom: 39.3 inches Ground clearance (front): 5.8 inches Curb weight: 3,515 pounds
Fuel Economy: Intrigue checks in at 19 miles per gallon city and 29 m.p.g. highway, better than average figures in its class. The tank holds 18.5 gallons of unleaded fuel. The locking fuel tank door, found on the left back fender, includes a tethered cap.
Trunk: Kudos to the folks at Oldsmobile for incorporating a "honking" big trunk. Intrigue's trunk features 16 cubic feet of room, almost two cubic feet more than Toyota's Camry or the Nissan Maxima. It's flat, long design holds golf clubs and grocery bags simultaneously with room to spare. Speaking of spares, the temporary spare tire stows under a flat floored bottom.
Target Market: Oldsmobile expects half of all Intrigue owners to be women and half professionals. The age range is expected in the late 30s to early 40s with an annual household income above $60,000.
Final thoughts: Of Oldsmobile's 29,151 total April sales, Intrigue led the pack with 9,173 units. Oldsmobile now markets two, recently redesigned mid-size offerings; the Intrigue and the new Cutlass sedan. But Intrigue is more of the entry-luxury variety, competing with vehicles including the Audi A6 and Lexus ES 300, but costing thousands less. Cutlass is better positioned at heart of the family mid-size segment including Toyota Camry and Honda Accord customers. With a starting price near $21,000, Intrigue is priced closer to Camry's $20,248 price tag and Nissan Maxima's $21,989 asking price. For an under $25,000 vehicle, our Intrigue GL test drive car was impressive to say the least. A large trunk, good fuel economy, loads of standard equipment, an above average level of safety features and smooth suspension in elegant surroundings have this vehicle living up to its name. |