There`s not much in the way of new sheet metal at Oldsmobile for 1989, but plenty of new engines, increased standard equipment and name changes.
The most noticeable change at Olds for 1989 is the addition of more powerful engines. Two V-6s, a 3.1 liter and a 3.3 liter, join the lineup, and a higher output 2.3-liter Quad Four is on the way.
In the 1988 model year, more than 125,000 Quad Four engines were sold to Olds, Buick and Pontiac customers in the compact N-body Olds Calais, Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am. The 16-valve, 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Quad Four develops 150 horsepower.
A 180 h.p. Quad Four will be available late in the year in the Calais International Series with a 5-speed manual transmission only and a claimed zero-to-60-miles-an-hour time of 7.5 seconds.
A significant change for `89 is that Olds no longer offers a subcompact. The compact Calais N-body becomes the smallest Olds for `89 as the subcompact Firenza is gone.
One way to avoid the look-alike rap is to drop a car or two, which is what GM has done for 1989 with the departure of the J-body Firenza and Cadillac Cimarron.
Coming up is a lengthening and remake on the Toronado for 1990 and the introduction of a luxury coupe called Silhouette in the 1991 time frame. But here`s a summary of what`s new at Olds for 1989:
– Calais. The compact N-body Calais is the smallest and lowest-priced car in Olds` stable, with a $9,995 base price on the two-door coupe. And what does Olds call a $9,995 car? Value Leader! The car will be equipped only with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, but a choice of 5-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Options will be limited.
The 150 horsepower, 2.3-liter Quad Four engine is optional in all Calais models, except the International Series in which it`s standard. A 180-horsepower Quad Four will be offered in the Calais International Series at midyear.
A new optional engine for the Calais and midsize Ciera is a fuel-injected 3300, or 3.3-liter V-6, that develops 160 horsepower. It`s an update of the 3- liter V-6, which has been dropped from the N-body for 1989.
In addition to the 3.3 as standard, the Calais International Series sports ground effects plastic rockers, wheel well lips and front air dam.
– Ciera. The roof line has been rounded and on four-door models the rear window is more steeply sloped, somewhat like the roof treatment on the Supreme. Front and rear ends get cosmetic touchup.
The optional 3.8-liter V-6 engine has been replaced by the 3.3-liter V-6. Olds says the 3.3 with automatic is about a half second quicker than the 3.8 in a zero-to-60-m.p.h. run.
The top-of-the-line International Series gets the 3.3-liter V-6 as standard. A driver information center, body side moldings, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle also are new.
The upgraded Ciera Brougham has been redesignated the SL. On the wagon, the front end gets new cosmetics and the hood ornament has been dropped. The 3.3 V-6 is standard. The Cruiser Brougham has been renamed the Cruiser SL.
– Cutlass Supreme. A new 3.1-liter V-6 will join the 2.8-liter V-6 in the Supreme after the first of the year. The 3.1 will be available with automatic transmission only, the 2.8 with 5-speed only. As previously disclosed (Autos, July 18), plans for offering a Quad Four in the Supreme have been delayed, probably until after 1989.
The 3.1 develops 138 horsepower versus 130 from the 2.8 liter. Why not a 160-horsepower 3.3-liter V-6 in the Supreme? Because it`s obvious the 2.8 will be phased out and the 3.1 will become the standard power plant, with a Quad Four as an option.
Antilock brakes will be an option for the first time. Other new options include power sunroof, extendable underhood lamp, remote lock control and integral compact disc player. Air conditioning has been made standard and is one reason the `89 Supreme two-door coupe base price moves up to $14,295 from $12,846.
– 88. The Delta 88 has been renamed the 88 Royale, and the Delta designation has been dropped. Air bags remain an option.
– 98. Automatic seat belts are standard in front, lap/shoulder belts in the rear. Driver side air bag is a new option for all 98s. The grille and flat hood ornament are new, along with color-keyed body side moldings and door edge guards. A compact disc player is a new option along with steering wheel touch controls for climate control and radio. Antilock brakes are optional.
– 98 Touring Sedan. Goodyear GT+4 all-season performance tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels, steering wheel touch controls and rear seat lap/shoulder belts are new.
– Toronado. Bucket seats with console are standard up front.
– Trofeo. Top-of-the-line Toronado has antilock brakes as standard. Body colored front air dam and rocker extensions are new. Automatic door locks, electric rear view mirror, electric fuel filler door release, twilight sentinel, illuminated visor vanity mirrors and reading lamps are new standard equipment.
– Custom Cruiser wagon. The sole V-8 powered rear-wheel-drive model stays in the Olds lineup.
As for safety features, a driver`s side air bag is optional on the 88 Royale and 98; rear seat lap/shoulder belts are standard on all Olds cars; and antilock brakes are optional on the 98, Toronado and Cutlass Supreme and standard on the Trofeo and 98 touring sedan.
Toronado and Trofeo also offer optional visual information centers, a cathode ray tube in the center of the dash in which you touch the screen to manage climate control and entertainment functions as well as keep track of oil changes and travel direction with a compass. Differing from the Buick system introduced a few years back, the Olds CRT data are in color.
Steering wheel controls for climate control and radio functions are optional in the Cutlass Supreme SL and International, 98 and Toronado and standard in the 98 Touring Sedan and Trofeo. Pontiac started housing radio controls in the steering wheel a few years ago.
A new remote lock control is optional for the Cutlass Supreme (standard on International), using a miniature radio transmitter to lock or unlock the doors or trunk lid from outside the car.
LEXUS/INFINITI
We`d have bet the ranch that Midwestern motorists were eagerly awaiting the arrival next fall of the full-size luxury Toyota Lexus and Nissan Infiniti.
The Toyota Cressida and Nissan Maxima have been popular, but neither Toyota nor Nissan offers a bigger, more luxurious car for owners who want to move up. Lexus and Infiniti will fill that need.
Our assumptions changed, though, after we asked for reader opinions about the cars when a major importer called to get a feel for Midwesterner reactions.
Here are some typical replies:
”I doubt I`d part with my `86 (Chevy) Z-24 for either. Sounds too much like just another yuppiemobile.” James Klick, Romeoville.
”Adult toys. I wouldn`t trade my Taurus wagon for one.” Bill Hurd, Chicago.
”Another yuppie-aimed Japanese product with a fancy name that makes no sense. No way I`d dump my Grand Am for one.” Ben Horbacz, Woodridge.
”I`ll stick with domestics. When you need parts or repairs, they`re here.” A.J. Roth Jr., Wilmette.
There were a few favorable comments:
”If Lexus or Infiniti are as good as my Toyota Camry and the price is $25,000, I would buy one and trade in my `86 Buick Electra.” Gene Kromolicki, Hoffman Estates.
John Liston of Downers Grove sent along a picture of his car, with a license plate bracket reading: ”My next car will be a Lexus.”
Another importer called about our reader sampling.
He doesn`t expect many domestic owners to switch to the more expensive Lexus or Infiniti so much as he does those who drive a Mercedes 190 or BMW 3 series.
NOTES
A model car swap meet will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hillside Holiday Inn, 4400 Frontage Road. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children younger than 12. ———-
Jim Mateja`s Autos column appears Sunday and Monday in The Tribune.
