1998
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS WITH
WORLD CLASS BODY STRUCTURE
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Last year the all new Cutlass provided Oldsmobile a great leap ahead with an affordable mid-size sedan offering world-class body structure and major gains in roominess, comfort, convenience, and safety. Many customers who bought the new car representing one of this division's most highly respected nameplate found the quality and content of an Accord or Camry without the stigma of a high price.
Added Attractions - Buy The Cutlass Here
Little has been changed in the Cutlass recipe for 1998. The standard base model wears a new GL badge. The smoker's package initially offered as a dealer-installed option has been added to the standard equipment list. A cassette deck is now included with the GL model's AM/FM stereo radio. The color of the cluster trim plate has been changed from gray to black for better appearance. All Cutlasses are now certified as a Transitional Low Emissions Vehicle (TLEV) in 49 states.
Classy Chassis - Buy The Cutlass Here
Cutlass rides on a 107.0-inch wheelbase to provide a comfortable ride and significantly more interior room than either the Camry or the Accord. Exterior design is best described as a tasteful blend of intemational and traditional themes: eye-pleasing proportions, an integrated front-end treatment, minimal brightwork, and sculpted surfaces. Oldsmobile designers were striving for a subtle, handsome exterior appearance and feedback from customer clinics confirm that this objective has been achieved. In stark contrast to import-brand competition, the Cutlass is fully equipped with everything demanding customers expect in a mid-size family sedan, and then some. The list of standard features includes some items that other models can only hope for: 3 .1-liter V 6 engine with a four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission; anti-lock brakes; air conditioning; power-assisted steering, brakes, door locks; cruise control; AM/FM/ stereo and cassette; tilt steering; an aluminized stainless-steel exhaust system; next generation dual air bags; and daytime running lights with automatic activation of regular headlamps at dusk. Feature-conscious consumers are sure to have a field day with this new Cutlass. A popular Cutlass option is keyless entry. The activator fob's battery life is an outstanding five years which is often times double the competitor's service life. Rolling activation codes numbering in the billions exclude those who might attempt to outsmart the system.
Built Better - Buy The Cutlass Here
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is manufactured at GM's Oklahoma City facility -- long acknowledged as one of America's top-rated quality producers. One of many innovations is a doors-off manufacturing process that enables quality checks throughout the Cutlass assembly procedure. Workers suggested the use of a moving tool pallet in the manufacturing plant to ease the task of assembling chassis components. After all powertrain, suspension, brakes, exhaust system, and cooling system components are loaded onto the pallet and assembled together, they're lifted to meet the car body.
Advanced Construction - Buy The Cutlass Here
In addition to its robust uni-body built using proven safety-cage construction principles, Cutlass provides a full front subframe cradle to help support steering, suspension, and powertrain equipment with excellent isolation from the passenger compartment. The use of advanced hydroforming manufacturing techniques helped to make the cradle as light and stiff as possible. Beyond safety concerns, GM engineers set high standards for the Cutlass body structure's rigidity to minimize noise, vibration, and harshness and to provide a stable base for steering and suspension components. An engineering tool called "path analysis" allowed engineers to identify potential problem areas early in the development process so solutions could be immediately devised. The single-piece body-side ring in conjunction with large section roof rails gave the Cutlass an impressive 23.5 Hz beaming (longitudinal bending) natural frequency. The single-piece rear wheelhouse stamping is reinforced with a heavy-gauge cap where the rear-suspension strut attaches to the body; this stiffened mounting surface diminishes the road harshness transferred into the car through the rear tires and suspension. Other strategically placed reinforcements help stiffen the luggage pass-through opening behind the back seat, the base of the B pillars, and the lower portion of the rear door frame.
Suspension Gear - Buy The Cutlass Here
Smooth acting strut-type suspension hardware is used at each corner. Additional wheel location is provided by a lower control arm in front and a tri-link (one trailing, two lateral per side) arrangement in back. To minimize unsprung mass, cast aluminum knuckles are specified front and rear. Additional weight is saved in the use of aluminum front disc brake calipers. Rear brakes are drum type Delphi Chassis System's award-winning ABS VI is standard equipment. In the feel, the Cutlass interests of quick, linear steering response and sharp road power rack-and-pinion steering gear is mounted directly to the rear portion of the cradle through rubber isolators. On-center handling and course road noise performance is improved versus the 1997 model.
Engine Excellence - Buy The Cutlass Here
The proven 3100 V6 engine powering the Cutlass uses many advanced features such as aluminum cylinder heads to minimize weight, sequential fuel injection for ideal combustion, platinum-tipped spark plugs fired by a distributorless ignition system, and long life coolant. A large volume air cleaner with tuned inlet resonators keeps this engine quiet even at full-throttle. Peak ratings are 155 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm.
Efficient Transmission - Buy The Cutlass Here
Hydra-Matic's 4T40E transaxle provides the ideal powertrain mate to the 3100 V6. The powertrain control module senses operating variables and manages both the engine and transaxle to assure seamless operation. Each forward gear has an over-rurming clutch to maintain robust upshift calibrations. In addition, there's engine braking in all forward gears for optimum control on steep grades. A viscous-type electronically controlled torque converter clutch has variable levels of engagement so driver and passengers are never disturbed by this aspect of the transaxle's operation.
Interior Design - Buy The Cutlass Here
The Cutlass interior layout begins with a cockpit which places instruments and controls as the top priority. A shroud over the instrument cluster sweeps right to also encompass the centrally located sound-system and HVAC control panels. And, the Oldsmobile family of radios is conveniently positioned above HVAC for easy access. By integrating the dash panel sculpture with the center console, additional storage space is provided and a look of tidy integration is achieved. Subtle wood paneling gives the interior a warm luxurious feeling. Face-level air vents are neatly integrated into the windshield pillar trim panels. The ignition switch is dash-mounted so there's no awkward twist of the wrist necessary to start this Cutlass. And instead of rotating the key 135 degrees, as is usually necessary, the arc between off and start positions is a more convenient 90 degrees. The lock module has been specifically designed for tamper resistance. In addition, PASSlock II is provided to defeat engine operation if any attempt is made to start the car without the proper key. Lighting and wiper functions are stalk-mounted for easy use. Cruise control switches are a thumb's-throw away on the steering wheel's wide upper spokes. Four large white-on-black analog dials (tachometer, speedometer, fuel level, water temperature) are positioned for perfect legibility. Behind the scenes, a microprocessor manages the instruments' functions. The PRNDL display is a vacuum fluorescent two-color device for easy reading. Warning lamps are lit with reliable light-emitting diodes to eliminate the nuisance of a burned-out indicator bulb. Practically every control or interior switch is backlit for night time convenience. Theater dimming fades illumination gradually after doors are closed during entry or exit. Power mirror and window switches are conveniently placed on the appropriate armrests. A pleasant chime reminder alerts the driver when a seat belt isn't fastened, the key is left in the ignition, the headlamps have been left on, or that a turn signal has been flashing more than 3/4 mile. A check gauges chime will also call the driver's attention to low oil pressure, high coolant temperature, low fuel, low coolant level, a door ajar, brake system problems, and low electrical voltage.
Intelligent Electrics - Buy The Cutlass Here
Providing more features than customers expect in the Cutlass is facilitated by a fully integrated electrical system which wires the powertrain control module, the microprocessor based instrument cluster, and other smart devices together on the same party line for optimum use of operating information, such as road speed, engine rpm, and ambient temperature. Accidentally leaving an interior lamp on in most cars will discharge the battery. That's not the case in the Cutlass. Twenty minutes after the ignition switch is turned off, any interior lamp inadvertently left on will automatically be switched off Battery rundown protection has already demonstrated that it can also extend the battery's useful service life. In the unlikely event a jump start is someday necessary, the new Cutlass has extended-length battery terminal bolts to provide a more convenient means of attaching jumper cables. Another unique touch is a dual-zone rear-window defogger. This distributes power first to the central region of the glass to provide rear visibility as quickly as possible; a few minutes later, the outer periphery receives power to finish the job.
Cool Cupholders - Buy The Cutlass Here
Virtually every new car or truck on the road has a cup holder or two. The Cutlass provides one for each outboard passenger. Drivers who enjoy their morning coffee on their commute to work will particularly appreciate a pullout cupholder conveniently located to the left of the steering wheel.
Beyond the Competition - Buy The Cutlass Here
Customers have increasingly demanded luxuriously quiet and comfortable medium sized cars. Acknowledging what's been achieved, Cutlass engineers hiked the bar much higher. Providing a very stiff body structure was the first step in the permanent elimination of squeaks and rattles. Next, the body spent several days in the wind tunnel to minimize aerodynamic drag. In addition to obvious fuel efficiency benefits, smooth air flow past the car's exterior pays major quietness dividends. Special features are a U-shaped windshield seal to minimize wind disturbance in that critical area. Wipers are hidden from the air stream. A new frame under-glass door design creates a more rigid assembly that seals better and provides extra vehicle security. Double seals around the door opening block both wind noise and moisture. Exterior break-away mirrors are tuned to usher the air past without a ruffle. The radio antenna has a spiral-ground groove to prevent wind whistles. Seals around door handles and lock rods keep air from rattling around the door cavities. The boot around the steering shaft is double walled to block engine noise from the interior. More than a dozen acoustical baffles are strategically located in cavities of the car body. When exposed to the heat of paint baking ovens, they expand to block noise transmission. Similar deadeners are positioned on the roof panel. The floorpan's central tunnel has a sandwich construction with a layer of expandable foam between two sheets of steel. Noise absorbers are positioned on both sides of the lower dash panel. Various undercarpet mats and acoustical materials help stop noise transmission in the floorpan area. The final sound barrier is a one piece shell-molded layer of carpeting.
DRL Daylight Running Lamps - Buy The Cutlass Here
Above and beyond primary safety features--ABS brakes, robust body construction, and effective occupant restraints--the Cutlass provides another category of protection. Standard daytime running lamps (DRL) make the car more visible to on-coming traffic and less likely to be involved in an accident. This approach has already proven very effective but the Cutlass takes DRI. one step further. As daylight diminishes, the regular lights--including tail lamps and the illumination of interior controls--are automatically switched on. This automatic system can be bypassed at anytime by simply twisting the stalk-mounted headlamp switch. Some owners mistakenly believe that DRL wastes fuel and shortens headlamp bulb life. Actually, both effects are insignificant. The extra fuel consumption amounts to an extra two gas tanks over the full life of the vehicle. The deterioration of bulb life is too small to measure.
Rear Design - Buy The Cutlass Here
Five-mph front and rear bumpers are engineered into the Cutlass to protect both ends of the car--including lighting systems--from parking lot damage. A blow-molded composite plastic beam in front supports the fascia and absorbs impact energy with no moving parts. The rear design is a patented bumper bar covered with a foam energy absorber. To keep the Cutlass out of the hands of thieves, an innovative PASSlock security system is provided. Whenever the ignition switch is operated normally with the proper key, a coded signal is generated by a magnetic field and dispatched to the powertrain control computer authorizing normal engine operation. Any attempt to operate the switch by another means (such as hotwiring, or with a screwdriver after the lock is broken) will disable the magnetic field so the coded signal cannot be sent to the powertrain control computer. The engine will start and run for a moment and then immediately shut down.
Amenities - Buy The Cutlass Here
A special Cutlass feature with comfort and safety benefits is a patented child comfort guide that keeps the shoulder belt away from a youngster's face and neck. This handy guide is attached to an elastic cord anchored between the seat back and rear quarter trim. One of the most popular options in the mid-sized class is keyless entry and this is another area where Cutlass advances the state of the art. Battery life has been extended to five years (compared to three years in conventional systems). It's possible to operate the system with up to four different transmitters to accommodate more members of the family. By using rolling actuation codes--a different signal each time the transmitter is used--thieves are prevented from monitoring, recording, and repeating the signal to gain access to the car. A special military-grade algorithm provides billions of available encryption codes.
Exterior - Buy The Cutlass Here
To assure long-lasting beauty, the new Cutlass is finished with a state-of the-art basecoat--clearcoat paint job. This six-step process begins with a phosphate coating of the bare body-in-white. Next, an electrodeposition (ELPO) primer is applied by immersing the entire car body. The third coat is a spray-on primer-surfacer. To enhance chip resistance, a special anti-chip primer is used in vulnerable areas such as the front portion of the hood and the rocker panels. Step five is the base color coat. A final clear coat provides a surface highly resistant to water spotting and acid etching.
Buying A Cutlass - Buy The Cutlass Here
The act of buying a new Cutlass is also out of the ordinary. Retail personnel who greet prospects are schooled at Oldsmobile's very focused training at the Vision Center in the fine art of consultative sales practices. This method keeps the customer in charge with knowledgeable agents available to assist the selection process. Adopted initially for the Aurora, Oldsmobile's Straight forward Approach to selling and servicing its cars has already roven to be a major hit with hard-nosed shoppers who expect...arid deserve...the most car for their money. In a recent J.D. Power study on sales practices, the Cutlass was rated number one in its segment.
Final Assembly Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sales Volume (calendar year 1996): 434
Recent Product History: All-new model for 1997
Competitive Strengths: Smooth, quiet, efficient V6 powertrain
Distinctive design with high level of content
Excellent value at an attractive price
Quiet, comfortable, attractive interior
World-class body structure
Controlled ride and handling
Copyright © 1985-2001 AutoPricing / VIS. All rights reserved. *Values are subjective opinions based on the Staff of NABA / VIS and recent market conditions. National Automobile Bankers Associates / Vehicle Information Services is not responsible for actual or claimed deviation. Copyright 1993-2001 NABA/VIS. Auto Pricing a service of VIS. 561-394-0610
