Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
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| Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais | |
|---|---|
| Oldsmobile | |
| Production | 1985-1991 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body Style | 2-Door Coupe 4-Door Sedan |
| Length | 179.3" |
| Width | 66.6" |
| Height | 52.4" |
| Wheelbase | 103.4" |
| Weight | 2500-2900 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual, FWD 3-Speed Automatic, FWD |
| Engine | 2.3L (138 cid) I4 (1988-1991) 2.4L (146 cid) I4 (1990-1991) 2.5L (151 cid) I4 (1985-1991) 3.0L (181 cid) V6 (1985-1987) |
| Power | 92-190 hp |
| Similar | Buick Somerset/Somerset Regal/Skylark Pontiac Grand Am |
| Platform | N |
Using a name that was formerly an up-level option package for the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupe (and a base-model Cadillac from 1965-1976), the Oldsmobile Calais was introduced as its own model in 1985 as a quasi-replacement for the unloved and maligned X-body Omega. The Calais was built on GM's new N-body that was also the basis for the Buick Somerset (later Somerset Regal, then Skylark) and of course the Pontiac Grand Am. The Calais wouldn't actually become the Cutlass Calais until 1988. Although the Calais wouldn't sell in the numbers achieved by the Grand Am, it was still a decent seller for Oldsmobile, and would undergo only minor changes until it was replaced by the Achieva in 1992.
Here's a quick year-to-year rundown:
1985-1991
When first introduced, Oldsmobile fancied the new Calais as a downsized alternative to its larger Cutlass Supreme coupe, which was still selling in very substantial numbers. The Calais shared many styling cues with its larger Cutlass Supreme brother, and the 2-door coupe model even used the "Calais Supreme" name in an attempt to cash in on the Supreme's success. Initially, a 2-door coupe would be the only bodystyle offered, and it was available in base, SL and GT. Base engine was the fuel-injected 92 hp Pontiac-built 2.5L (151 cid) "Iron Duke" I4, with the 110 hp Buick-built 3.0L (181 cid) V6 with a 2bbl carburetor as an option. Transmissions for the I4 were a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic, while the V6 was automatic only. All 3 trim levels could have either engine.
The new 1985 Calais was also the Indianapolis 500's Pace Car this year, and was driven at the start of the race by actor James Garner. As such, a limited-edition Pace Car edition was offered, with supposedly 2,998 examples produced. It was of course offered with the requisite Pace Car decals and special body cladding with contrasting lower 2-tone paint.
The biggest change for 1986 would be the addition of a 4-door sedan model, as well as the required Center High Mounted Stop Lamp. The coupe model carried on, and all engine, transmission and trim levels were the same as in 1985. For 1987, the Calais would get a new front clip with composite headlamps and the taillights added a separate amber turn signal portion at the bottom. Base and SL models got a new chrome grille, while the top-level GT got a body-colored panel in place of the grille, giving it a "grille-less" look. Engines and transmission choices carried over once again, but the 2.5 I4 got a horsepower boost to 98 (up from 92).
In 1988, the 3.0L V6 was dropped and a new 150 hp 16-valve 2.3L (138 cid) I4, known as the "Quad4", took its place. The 2.5 I4 remained the base engine. Base, SL and I-Series trim levels were still available, and the new Quad Four would become standard in the GT, which would be available with a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. The Calais would be officially renamed Cutlass Calais this year (which would temporarily bring the number of Cutlass models in the Oldsmobile lineup to 3, including the Cutlass Ciera and Cutlass Supreme Classic). Perhaps Oldsmobile felt making the Calais part of the "Cutlass" family would give it more cache and credibility - whether this was successful or a classic case of "Cutlass overkill" is subject to your own interpretation.
The 1989 Cutlass Calais got a small number of detail changes. A new S model, slotting between the base and SL models, and the GT was replaced with the International Series (I-Series)model. The latter model change was made late enough that the actual pre-production top-trim 1989 model year Calais's were still called 'GT'; only after many of the new road test were printed did Oldsmobile disclose that the 'GT' model was being dropped and replaced with the I-Series model.
The nose was revised slightly again, and in the rear, the taillights lost their separate amber turn signals and went back to solid red, and the license plate was relocated to the bumper from in between the taillights. The 2.5 I4 got another power boost to 110 hp, the Quad 4 remained the same at 150.
For the 1990 model year, the big news was the forth coming High Output 'LGO' version of the Quad4 engine.
The difference between a a High Output and the regular version of the Quad4 was, the compression ratio was bumped up from 9.5:1 to 10:1, longer duration & higher lift camshafts were used, higher flowing intake and exhaust manifolds, as well as more aggressive fuel and timing maps.
The High Output Quad4 produced 180 hp - When it was initially released, this was the highest power to displacement naturally aspirated regular production engine being built/offered in North America.
Debuting as a precursor to the 1990 model year, 200 late 1989 model year I-series coupes were built with the new 'LGO' version of the Quad4. Since the Quad4 was an in-house Oldsmobile engine designed specifically for the Calais (and other GM N & L bodies), the very first road tests of the new 180hp Quad4-HO engine were all done in a 1989 Calais I-Series coupe.
All 200 LGO powered I-Series cars were red on grey coupes with fairly standard appointments.
The Quad4-HO was only available with a 5 speed manual transmission. The regular Quad4 'LD2' remained an option to the I-series and S model, while the 110 hp 2.5 I4 remained standard on the base and S models.
All models got revised dashboard gauge graphics.
Some of the changes to the Calais for the 1990 model year were; the LGO became the standard engine for the I-Series, a manual transmissoin was no longer available in the S model whe nthe Quad4 was opted.
Oldsmobile resurrected a hallowed badge on the as a special package for the Calais-S coupe for the 1990 model year (probably to the disappointment of some hardcore Oldsmobile fans), the 4-4-2 (last used in 1987 on the Cutlass Supreme coupe). In this iteration, "4-4-2" signified 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, and 2 overhead camshafts. The full name for the final version of the 442 was "Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad442". Calais 442's could only be ordered as LGO coupes, with select monochromatic color schemes, with a specific suspension package complete with 14" five spoke wheels c/w 215/60r14 Eagle GT+4 tires.
All 1990 model year Quad4 'LD2' engines used a new exhaust manifold (revised with longer runners from prior years), and started using the new 'LGO' intake manifold; these changes added 10hp to the 'LD2' engine's rating. Previously rated at 150hp, the 1990 'LD2' was now rated at 160hp. Unlike changes made with the Quad4 engine, either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic could be had with the 2.5L engine for either the base or S model for this year.
For 1991, the only changes to be seen on the Calais was new 3-spoke steering wheel debuted, and for the 442 new 15" aluminum wheels were to replace the 14" ones used through the 1990 model year.
Late in the 1991 model year Oldsmobile had another announcement regarding the Calais platform, but this time it was to debut the "W41" option on the 442 as the precursor to the Calais 442's model replacement - the Achieva SCX.
Just as in the limited production 1989 Quad4-HO I-Series built, 200 442's were slated to be built with the new 'W41' engine (final production was actually 204).
The 'W41' engine was in fact an Oldsmobile specific variant of the Quad4-HO (LGO) which was only built for three model years, 1991, 1992, and 1993.
When compared to the regular production Quad4-HO, the 'W41' engine had yet longer duration camshafts, as well as yet more aggressive fuel and timing maps. The 'W41 engine to was rated at 190 hp for the 1991 & 1992 model years, then as a result of exhaust port changes to the cylinder head, the engine was re-rated at 185hp for the 1993 model year.
The Cutlass Calais would be replaced by the Acheiva for 1992.
Competitors
- Chrysler LeBaron
- Dodge Aries/Spirit
- Ford Tempo
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Elantra
- Mercury Topaz
- Nissan Stanza
- Plymouth Reliant/Acclaim
- Subaru GL
- Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Jetta
See Also
