Oldsmobile Intrigue

Oldsmobile Intrigue

Overview
Manufacturer	Oldsmobile (General Motors)
Production	May 5, 1997–June 14, 2002
Assembly	Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	W-body 2nd Gen
Related	Buick Century Buick Regal Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pontiac Grand Prix
Powertrain
Engine	3.8 L L36 OHV V6 3.5 L LX5 DOHC V6
Transmission	4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	109.0 in (2,769 mm)
Length	195.9 in (4,976 mm)
Width	73.6 in (1,869 mm)
Height	56.6 in (1,438 mm)
Curb weight	3,455 lb (1,567 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The Oldsmobile Intrigue is a mid-size sedan that was manufactured from 1998 through 2002 by Oldsmobile. The Intrigue's design cues were first seen in 1995 with the Oldsmobile Antares concept car. The Intrigue was the first casualty in the phase-out process of Oldsmobile.

The Aurora-inspired Intrigue was designed to compete more with Japanese automobiles, and replaced the aging Cutlass Supreme. Unlike the Cutlass Supreme, which was available as a 5- or 6-passenger sedan, coupe, or convertible, the Intrigue was strictly a 5-passenger, 4-door sedan. It went into production on May 5, 1997. Although similar to a range of mid-sized sedans from other GM divisions, including the Buick Century, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Intrigue sported a decidedly more "Euro" look and feel as part of its import-fighter position.

The Intrigue was available in three trim levels: base GX, mid-level GL, and high-end GLS. All models were well equipped with standard features such as V6 power, antilock brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, dual front airbags, and full power accessories. GL trim included the addition of a 6-way power adjustable driver's seat, 6-speaker audio system, foglamps, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Top-line GLS added 6-way power front passenger seat, faux woodgrain interior trim, steering wheel audio controls, leather seating, and full-function traction control.^[1]

All Intrigues were built at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas, where the Grand Prix was also built (the Buick Century and Regal, and the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo were all built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada). For the 1999 model year, a new 3.5 L DOHC engine was introduced it was a six-cylinder design based on Cadillac's Northstar V8, which was nicknamed the "Shortstar". The 3.5 L engine became standard for 2000, giving the Intrigue the most powerful standard engine of any W-body car.

Another exclusive was a standard 140 mph speedometer. With the Autobahn package the Intrigue came with larger 12-inch front brake rotors, being the first 2nd Gen W-body to incorporate bigger brakes. For 1998-99 models the Autobahn package consisted of a 3.29 differential ratio opposed to the standard 3.05, H-rated tires, 12-inch front brakes with ceramic pads, and a 128 mph speed limiter. For 2000 it was renamed Precision Sport Package which included everything from the Autobahn package except the larger 12-inch front brake rotors, and added the Precision Control System (also known as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)). For 2002 the Intrigue Final 500 Collector’s Edition cars came in a unique Dark Cherry Metallic paint and featured Aurora-styled 17x7.5-inch chrome wheels.

On June 14, 2002, the final Intrigue rolled off the assembly line as part of the Final 500 Collectors Edition.

Engines

1998–1999 OHV 3.8 L L36 (231 in³) V6 195 hp @ 5200 rpm, 220 lb·ft @ 4000 rpm
1999–2002 DOHC 3.5 L LX5 (212 in³) V6 215 hp @ 5600 rpm 234 lb·ft @ 4400 rpm (according to the Intrigue's owner's manual)

Year-to-year changes

1998: The Oldsmobile Intrigue was introduced as an all new model. Available in base, GL, and GLS trim, all featured the 3.8 L V6 and 4-speed automatic transmission standard.
1999: For the beginning of this model year, the DOHC 3.5 L "Shortstar" engine was standard in the top-line GLS and optional on mid-level GL and base GX models. Early GLS models could be ordered with the 3.8L instead of the standard (for GLS) 3.5 L, but later on the 3.8 L was phased out and the 3.5 L became standard on all models. Decklids now wore a small Oldsmobile badge. In the previous model year, there was a complaint that some people couldn't tell that Intrigues were Oldsmobiles. If you look closely, you can read 'Oldsmobile' molded in the backup light lens in the taillight housing on all model years. All models now got a thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel. New to the option list was GM's OnStar emergency/communications system. Integrated rear radio antenna was standard this year and after.
2000: New wheels featured a fancier six-spoke design. New to the option list for 2000 was an antiskid system called the Precision Control System. Precision Control System was designed to help keep the car on its intended path by selective braking of one or more individual wheels. Though optional on all models, GX buyers had to order optional traction control to get the new antiskid system. Heated power front seats were now standard on GLS models. Standard leather door inserts trim not cloth, Retained accessory power was standard this year. "Oldsmobile" emblem on deck lid is larger than on 1999 models, although some early 2000 models carried the smaller version. A new gold-trim package was also available. New automatic headlights were now standard on all models.
2001: On GX models, traction control became standard instead of optional. Premium Leather and Precision Sport option packages were also available for this year.
2002: GLS models now featured a two-tone interior with sterling accents, as well as standard HomeLink, sunroof, and driver lumbar. All models featured new family of radios with RDS and standard CD player (borrowed from the newly redesigned Aurora). Tropic Teal and Indigo Blue were two new exterior colors. All models had new LATCH (Lower Anchor and Top tether for Children) in three rear seat positions. Sun & Sound package was available on GL models (includes Bose sound system and sunroof). New winchester headliner was inside. Production of the Intrigue ended in June 2002 as part of the phaseout of the Oldsmobile brand. The Final 500 Collectors Edition versions came in a unique Dark Cherry Metallic paint with special classic-style Oldsmobile emblems and featured Aurora-styled 17-inch chrome wheels. Owners also received a special commemorative packet.

Final 500 #499 was the last retail model and was special-ordered by a member of the Southern California Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America

In popular culture and film

The Oldsmobile Intrigue was featured in several scenes and promotions for the 1998 X-Files movie, The X-Files: Fight the Future. As the model's launch coincided with the release of the film, its producers and GM's executives at the time felt the car's name and appearance fit with the aesthetic of the X-Files franchise. Their creative teams launched a national campaign which included an expo tour around "'alternative' venues such as decomissioned [sic] military bases and airplane hangars [throughout the United States]."^[2]^[3]
A 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue appears in the highway chase scene of the first sequel of The Matrix films, The Matrix Reloaded.^[4]

References

↑ Oldsmobile Factory Sales Brochure "1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue"
↑ Stanley, T.L. (January 12, 1998). "FOX, GM Generate Intrigue Around X-po". Brandweek. Prometheus Global Media. 39 (2). |access-date= requires |url= (help)
↑ "Co-Marketing the Truth in the 'X-Files' and the Oldsmobile Intrigue". International Association of Business Communicators. Detroit. November 17, 1998.
↑ The Wachowski Brothers (Director) (May 7, 2003). The Matrix Reloaded (Motion picture). Warner Brothers.

External links

« previous — Oldsmobile road car timeline, 1980s–2004
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
Type	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
Compact car	Starfire		Firenza
Compact car	Omega					Cutlass Calais							Achieva							Alero
Mid-size car	Cutlass		Cutlass Ciera															Cutlass
Mid-size car	Cutlass Supreme								Cutlass Supreme										Intrigue
Mid-size station wagon	Cutlass Cruiser				Cutlass Ciera Cruiser
Full-size car	Eighty-Eight						Eighty-Eight						Eighty-Eight
																	LSS
	Ninety-Eight					Ninety-Eight						Ninety-Eight						Regency
																Aurora						Aurora
Full-size station wagon	Custom Cruiser											Custom Cruiser
Personal luxury car	Toronado						Toronado
Minivan											Silhouette							Silhouette
SUV												Bravada					Bravada						Bravada

Oldsmobile

Category
Vehicles

Historic models

Cars	442 88 98 Achieva Alero Aurora Curved Dash Custom Cruiser Cutlass Cutlass Calais Cutlass Ciera Cutlass Cruiser Cutlass Supreme F-85 Firenza Intrigue Jetstar I Limited Touring Omega Series 60 Series 70 Oldsmobile Series 90 Starfire Toronado Vista Cruiser

SUVs	Bravada

Minivans	Silhouette

Concept models

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