Post by sall on Sept 2, 2015 8:19:08 GMT -6
Some info on the model and some of the changes throughout its run.
www.outrightolds.com/index.php/olds-model-guide/oldsmobile-aurora
Oldsmobile Aurora
When Chuck Jordan returned from General Motors’ European offices to become the automaker’s vice president of design in the late 1980s, he realized that “all the sedans on the road were dull, drab and boring. There was no character, no excitement.”
Secretly, Jordan set one of GM’s advanced design studios to work on a sedan that had character and excitement. The car was designed and a full-scale model was created. Jordan parked a full-scale model of the car in the hallway at GM’s headquarters, placing it so executives couldn’t avoid it as they walked past the car several times every day.
Chuck Jordan (far right) with Aerotech
At last, the day arrived when the head of Oldsmobile asked if he could have the design for his division, as its new flagship sedan.
And thus was born the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora. Nearly two decades later, that original Aurora, with its spaceship shape, grille-less nose and full-width tail lamp, still looks fresh and futuristic.
Designed as a halo car for the Oldsmobile brand, the Aurora’s mission also required it to distance itself from the Oldsmobile marque. Instead of the traditional rocket logo used on other Oldsmobile models of the period, the Aurora received a distinctive swirled-A logo that foretold the “launching rocket” Oldsmobile logo that would debut in 1997. The Aurora’s only labeled ties to the Oldsmobile brand were found on its engine cover and in the fine print on the audio system.
The logic behind such a bold marketing move was: First, Oldsmobile hoped to target a new demographic of buyer, one that previously would not have considered Oldsmobile. And second, it also looked to rivals for branding inspiration; Acura, for example, was built by Honda but sold as a premium brand through a separate dealer network, with few identifying links to its parent company.
While the Aurora was sold through Oldsmobile dealers, the brand still wanted to distinguish it as a premium model that broke the perceived Oldsmobile mold. The Aurora’s aerodynamic styling produced a drag coefficient of just 0.32, and set the design benchmark for Oldsmobile’s later models, such as the Alero and the Intrigue. While the Aurora’s primary mission was to attract luxury import buyers, its secondary mission was to draw younger buyers of all incomes into Oldsmobile dealerships. Those who could not afford an Aurora (or didn’t want a full-size sedan) could still drive away in a similarly styled Intrigue or Alero.
General Motors held little back during the Aurora’s development. It’s 4.0-liter V-8 engine, for example, was derived from Cadillac’s premium 4.6-liter Northstar V-8, which had been exclusively reserved for Cadillac models prior to the Aurora’s development. Output of the Aurora’s dual-overhead camshaft, 32-valve V-8 was rated at 250 horsepower, or better than one hp per cubic inch, and the engine was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that featured both a “normal” and a “performance” shift mode. In performance mode, the Aurora was
capable of an eight-second sprint from 0-60 MPH, yet still delivered fuel economy of 26 MPG highway and 17 MPG city.
In its initial Aurora brochure, Oldsmobile noted that the same 4.0-liter V-8 engine used in the Aurora had broken a 25,000-kilometer (15,500-mile) speed and endurance record previously held by Mercedes. At a time when many buyers still questioned the quality of American cars, Oldsmobile also pointed out that the Aurora’s first tuneup wasn’t needed until 100,000 miles, and that the car could be driven without any coolant (at reduced speeds) as far as 50 miles, thanks to sensors that would alternately shut down four of the car’s eight cylinders to reduce engine temperatures. As further evidence of the Aurora V-8's durability, Oldsmobile touted the fact that the engine contained 556 fewer parts than Lexus’s 4.0-liter V-8, yet it delivered the same 250hp and 260-lbs.ft. of torque.
A rigid and strong chassis structure was a design goal from both a ride quality and a safety perspective, and the Aurora’s engineers exceeded the car’s targets to the point that GM’s existing test equipment proved insufficient to crush the Aurora’s body. A 1997 Aurora brochure stated that, “The roof structure withstood more than 8,000 pounds of force in a crush-resistance test – far exceeding the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for passenger cars – before the test equipment simply gave out.”
Technology and amenities were also selling points for the Aurora. The standard features list was a lengthy one, including dual-zone automatic climate control, a trip computer, anti-lock brakes, traction control, a “dimensional” audio system, solar control glass, a remote-linked driver’s seat position memory, genuine burl walnut trim, magnetic variable-ratio power steering and dual front airbags.
In its debut year of 1995, Oldsmobile managed to sell nearly 46,000 Aurora sedans, but the car’s ambitious base price of $34,360 hampered second-year sales. While considerably less than the $43,500 commanded by a Mercedes-Benz E320 (a reported development benchmark for the Aurora), it was still a stretch from the Acura TL’s $29,950 base price. In the final year of the Aurora’s first generation, 1999, Oldsmobile would sell less than 19,000 units.
The second generation of the Aurora, which debuted in February 2000 for the 2001 model year, was originally supposed to take Oldsmobile even further to the luxury side of the scale (creating more room for additional models within the brand), but economic realities caused GM to downsize its total product offerings. While the second-generation Aurora still retained the 4.0-liter V-8 atop the range, it also debuted a 3.5-liter V-6 variant of the engine (for 2001 and 2002 only), good for an output of 215 horsepower.
The lower-priced Aurora may have helped boost Oldsmobile’s falling sales, but 10 months after the second-generation Aurora’s debut (and seven months after its second appearance as an Indianapolis 500 pace car), General Motors announced plans to shutter its oldest division in the coming years. Perhaps equally damaging, the 2nd generation Aurora never managed to feel as “special” as its predecessor, perhaps due to styling that was no longer innovative, but prevalent throughout the Oldsmobile lineup.
Year-to-year changes
1995 Oldsmobile Aurora:
Oldsmobiles all new flagship model was launched in the spring of '94. It was built on the all new G-Body luxury front-wheel drive platform along with the Buick Riviera. Only one well equipped trim level was offered. Power came from an exclusive 4.0 V8 derived from the highly praised Cadillac Northstar. Aurora marked a new direction for Oldsmobile in terms of styling and marketing. It become the styling insperation for all Oldsmobile vehicles for the rest of the decade. It also marked the change towards attracting more affluent import-oriented buyers to the division.
1996 Oldsmobile Aurora:
Oldsmobile made some minor revisions to the Aurora including new rear glass which had less distortion than previous models. Further revisions included daytime running lights and OBD II compliant On-Board Diagnostic. Tweaking the climate control and safety alarm, a revised keyless entry system with new features was added. A 12 disc BOSE CD changer was made optional, and the short list of optional equipment was expanded to include Chrome wheels and a gold trim package. The 96-99 models had the passenger temperature toggle button on the middle right portion of the instrument panel replaced with an air recirculator button.
1997 Oldsmobile Aurora:
A new in-dash CD player for the BOSE sound system highlighted the improvements. Another new feature was a tilt-down right-outside mirror that enhances the driver's view of close objects, whenever the shifter is placed in reverse. The underside of the door handles have been slightly recontoured to minimize slipping fingers when the handles are pulled. Seat belt release buttons were moved from the face of the buckle to the end for improved convenience. An electronic compass was added to the inside rear-view mirror. Larger front brakes came along with cast aluminum front control arms and steering knuckles. The rear ashtray assembly was changed from a click-lock face to a pull-up face. Finally, the spare tire cover and jack cradle assembly was changed from the jack and cover being bolted down to one where the jack sat in a plastic "bucket" inside the spare with the cover simply placed on top. On some 1997's a modest Olds badge returns to the right-rear corner of the car along with the Aurora name.
1998 Oldsmobile Aurora:
The 1998 model had a few relatively minor refinement changes to the brakes, suspension, steering and emissions controls. New front control arm design with front hydraulic bushing and rear cross axis ball joint for enhanced ride smoothness and better isolation from road noise and vibration. Internal rebound springs added to front struts for improved body motion control and to minimize crash-through. Increased wheel travel (3 mm) and redesigned jounce bumpers for softer feel at full travel. Dual durometer cradle mounts for improved isolation.
Premium valving/damping in front and rear struts for a higher refinement in calibration. New more accurate wheel sensors for improved ABS actuation. New steering calibration for more on-center feel and reduced parking effort.
GM's optional OnStar system available was standard this year uses a dedicated button on the cellular telephone putting drivers in contact with an information center that can provide them with emergency assistance. The system uses no transmitters to determine the vehicle's location and provide route information to any destination.
1999 Oldsmobile Aurora:
The last year for the original Aurora, changes for 1999 included additional engine mounts for improved engine stability. No model year 2000 models were produced.
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora:
Aurora was all new and went on sale in early 2000. The new car was smaller on the outside with less agressive styling. Interior space actually increased, though trunk space dipped slightly. The interior featured real wood trim and a new gated shifter. A V6 became the standard engine for the first time. Aurora was now Oldsmobile's only full size car. There was a new V6 version along with a lower price to cover some of the market lost by the Eighty-Eight and LSS.
2002 Oldsmobile Aurora:
A navigation radio supplements the OnStar system for easy-to-follow driving directions. Three new exterior colors debut along with chrome exhaust tips.
2003 Oldsmobile Aurora:
The V6 has been dropped in the final year of production making the Aurora one of the few V8-only sedans on the market. Two new exterior colors, Bordeaux Red and Steel Blue, have also been added for the Aurora's going-away party.
When Chuck Jordan returned from General Motors’ European offices to become the automaker’s vice president of design in the late 1980s, he realized that “all the sedans on the road were dull, drab and boring. There was no character, no excitement.”
Secretly, Jordan set one of GM’s advanced design studios to work on a sedan that had character and excitement. The car was designed and a full-scale model was created. Jordan parked a full-scale model of the car in the hallway at GM’s headquarters, placing it so executives couldn’t avoid it as they walked past the car several times every day.
Chuck Jordan (far right) with Aerotech
At last, the day arrived when the head of Oldsmobile asked if he could have the design for his division, as its new flagship sedan.
And thus was born the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora. Nearly two decades later, that original Aurora, with its spaceship shape, grille-less nose and full-width tail lamp, still looks fresh and futuristic.
Designed as a halo car for the Oldsmobile brand, the Aurora’s mission also required it to distance itself from the Oldsmobile marque. Instead of the traditional rocket logo used on other Oldsmobile models of the period, the Aurora received a distinctive swirled-A logo that foretold the “launching rocket” Oldsmobile logo that would debut in 1997. The Aurora’s only labeled ties to the Oldsmobile brand were found on its engine cover and in the fine print on the audio system.
The logic behind such a bold marketing move was: First, Oldsmobile hoped to target a new demographic of buyer, one that previously would not have considered Oldsmobile. And second, it also looked to rivals for branding inspiration; Acura, for example, was built by Honda but sold as a premium brand through a separate dealer network, with few identifying links to its parent company.
While the Aurora was sold through Oldsmobile dealers, the brand still wanted to distinguish it as a premium model that broke the perceived Oldsmobile mold. The Aurora’s aerodynamic styling produced a drag coefficient of just 0.32, and set the design benchmark for Oldsmobile’s later models, such as the Alero and the Intrigue. While the Aurora’s primary mission was to attract luxury import buyers, its secondary mission was to draw younger buyers of all incomes into Oldsmobile dealerships. Those who could not afford an Aurora (or didn’t want a full-size sedan) could still drive away in a similarly styled Intrigue or Alero.
General Motors held little back during the Aurora’s development. It’s 4.0-liter V-8 engine, for example, was derived from Cadillac’s premium 4.6-liter Northstar V-8, which had been exclusively reserved for Cadillac models prior to the Aurora’s development. Output of the Aurora’s dual-overhead camshaft, 32-valve V-8 was rated at 250 horsepower, or better than one hp per cubic inch, and the engine was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that featured both a “normal” and a “performance” shift mode. In performance mode, the Aurora was
capable of an eight-second sprint from 0-60 MPH, yet still delivered fuel economy of 26 MPG highway and 17 MPG city.
In its initial Aurora brochure, Oldsmobile noted that the same 4.0-liter V-8 engine used in the Aurora had broken a 25,000-kilometer (15,500-mile) speed and endurance record previously held by Mercedes. At a time when many buyers still questioned the quality of American cars, Oldsmobile also pointed out that the Aurora’s first tuneup wasn’t needed until 100,000 miles, and that the car could be driven without any coolant (at reduced speeds) as far as 50 miles, thanks to sensors that would alternately shut down four of the car’s eight cylinders to reduce engine temperatures. As further evidence of the Aurora V-8's durability, Oldsmobile touted the fact that the engine contained 556 fewer parts than Lexus’s 4.0-liter V-8, yet it delivered the same 250hp and 260-lbs.ft. of torque.
A rigid and strong chassis structure was a design goal from both a ride quality and a safety perspective, and the Aurora’s engineers exceeded the car’s targets to the point that GM’s existing test equipment proved insufficient to crush the Aurora’s body. A 1997 Aurora brochure stated that, “The roof structure withstood more than 8,000 pounds of force in a crush-resistance test – far exceeding the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for passenger cars – before the test equipment simply gave out.”
Technology and amenities were also selling points for the Aurora. The standard features list was a lengthy one, including dual-zone automatic climate control, a trip computer, anti-lock brakes, traction control, a “dimensional” audio system, solar control glass, a remote-linked driver’s seat position memory, genuine burl walnut trim, magnetic variable-ratio power steering and dual front airbags.
In its debut year of 1995, Oldsmobile managed to sell nearly 46,000 Aurora sedans, but the car’s ambitious base price of $34,360 hampered second-year sales. While considerably less than the $43,500 commanded by a Mercedes-Benz E320 (a reported development benchmark for the Aurora), it was still a stretch from the Acura TL’s $29,950 base price. In the final year of the Aurora’s first generation, 1999, Oldsmobile would sell less than 19,000 units.
The second generation of the Aurora, which debuted in February 2000 for the 2001 model year, was originally supposed to take Oldsmobile even further to the luxury side of the scale (creating more room for additional models within the brand), but economic realities caused GM to downsize its total product offerings. While the second-generation Aurora still retained the 4.0-liter V-8 atop the range, it also debuted a 3.5-liter V-6 variant of the engine (for 2001 and 2002 only), good for an output of 215 horsepower.
The lower-priced Aurora may have helped boost Oldsmobile’s falling sales, but 10 months after the second-generation Aurora’s debut (and seven months after its second appearance as an Indianapolis 500 pace car), General Motors announced plans to shutter its oldest division in the coming years. Perhaps equally damaging, the 2nd generation Aurora never managed to feel as “special” as its predecessor, perhaps due to styling that was no longer innovative, but prevalent throughout the Oldsmobile lineup.
Year-to-year changes
1995 Oldsmobile Aurora:
Oldsmobiles all new flagship model was launched in the spring of '94. It was built on the all new G-Body luxury front-wheel drive platform along with the Buick Riviera. Only one well equipped trim level was offered. Power came from an exclusive 4.0 V8 derived from the highly praised Cadillac Northstar. Aurora marked a new direction for Oldsmobile in terms of styling and marketing. It become the styling insperation for all Oldsmobile vehicles for the rest of the decade. It also marked the change towards attracting more affluent import-oriented buyers to the division.
1996 Oldsmobile Aurora:
Oldsmobile made some minor revisions to the Aurora including new rear glass which had less distortion than previous models. Further revisions included daytime running lights and OBD II compliant On-Board Diagnostic. Tweaking the climate control and safety alarm, a revised keyless entry system with new features was added. A 12 disc BOSE CD changer was made optional, and the short list of optional equipment was expanded to include Chrome wheels and a gold trim package. The 96-99 models had the passenger temperature toggle button on the middle right portion of the instrument panel replaced with an air recirculator button.
1997 Oldsmobile Aurora:
A new in-dash CD player for the BOSE sound system highlighted the improvements. Another new feature was a tilt-down right-outside mirror that enhances the driver's view of close objects, whenever the shifter is placed in reverse. The underside of the door handles have been slightly recontoured to minimize slipping fingers when the handles are pulled. Seat belt release buttons were moved from the face of the buckle to the end for improved convenience. An electronic compass was added to the inside rear-view mirror. Larger front brakes came along with cast aluminum front control arms and steering knuckles. The rear ashtray assembly was changed from a click-lock face to a pull-up face. Finally, the spare tire cover and jack cradle assembly was changed from the jack and cover being bolted down to one where the jack sat in a plastic "bucket" inside the spare with the cover simply placed on top. On some 1997's a modest Olds badge returns to the right-rear corner of the car along with the Aurora name.
1998 Oldsmobile Aurora:
The 1998 model had a few relatively minor refinement changes to the brakes, suspension, steering and emissions controls. New front control arm design with front hydraulic bushing and rear cross axis ball joint for enhanced ride smoothness and better isolation from road noise and vibration. Internal rebound springs added to front struts for improved body motion control and to minimize crash-through. Increased wheel travel (3 mm) and redesigned jounce bumpers for softer feel at full travel. Dual durometer cradle mounts for improved isolation.
Premium valving/damping in front and rear struts for a higher refinement in calibration. New more accurate wheel sensors for improved ABS actuation. New steering calibration for more on-center feel and reduced parking effort.
GM's optional OnStar system available was standard this year uses a dedicated button on the cellular telephone putting drivers in contact with an information center that can provide them with emergency assistance. The system uses no transmitters to determine the vehicle's location and provide route information to any destination.
1999 Oldsmobile Aurora:
The last year for the original Aurora, changes for 1999 included additional engine mounts for improved engine stability. No model year 2000 models were produced.
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora:
Aurora was all new and went on sale in early 2000. The new car was smaller on the outside with less agressive styling. Interior space actually increased, though trunk space dipped slightly. The interior featured real wood trim and a new gated shifter. A V6 became the standard engine for the first time. Aurora was now Oldsmobile's only full size car. There was a new V6 version along with a lower price to cover some of the market lost by the Eighty-Eight and LSS.
2002 Oldsmobile Aurora:
A navigation radio supplements the OnStar system for easy-to-follow driving directions. Three new exterior colors debut along with chrome exhaust tips.
2003 Oldsmobile Aurora:
The V6 has been dropped in the final year of production making the Aurora one of the few V8-only sedans on the market. Two new exterior colors, Bordeaux Red and Steel Blue, have also been added for the Aurora's going-away party.
www.outrightolds.com/index.php/olds-model-guide/oldsmobile-aurora
