autoevolution
 

Segment: Compact
Production years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

OLDSMOBILE Aurora 2000-2003 29 Photos
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The second generation of the Oldsmobile Aurora lasted only three years before GM dismissed it due to its low sales, despite being better at anything than its predecessor.

When Oldsmobile introduced the Aurora lineup, it tried to offer an upscale model to compete with other premium vehicles. On the second generation, it altered the strategy and made it closer to the sport sedan market. But the carmaker forgot to adjust the design accordingly. Instead, it tried to sell a premium-looking vehicle with a sporty drivetrain, which didn't end well.

The car's look featured the same unusual front fascia that sported horizontal, narrow headlights with rounded endings and a closed panel between them. Oldsmobile had to rely on the bumper-mounted lower grille to cool the engine, which didn't look too sporty. Designed in the full era of bio-design trend, the Aurora featured long, curved lines over the bodywork with slightly enlarged front and rear fenders. Its cab-forward look and sloped rear window created an image of a melted car rather than a sharp, sporty one.

Inside, Oldsmobile used its experience to create a comfortable, luxurious-looking interior. The fine leather upholstery and walnut veneers could suit any Cadillac or other premium brand but didn't match a sport sedan. In the instrument cluster, the designers considered that black dials and white needles could fit the owners' needs except that they needed better eyes, and most of the Oldsmobile's customers were not that young anymore.

Under the hood, the Aurora received a new, 3.5-liter V-6 in addition to the already known 4.0-liter V-8. Oldsmobile paired both of them with a four-speed automatic gearbox.

OLDSMOBILE Aurora 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
  2 gasoline engines
  • 3.5L V6 4AT FWD (215 HP)
  • 4.0L V8 4AT FWD (250 HP)

OLDSMOBILE Aurora
3.5L V6 4AT FWD (215 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.5L V6 4AT FWD (215 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:3473 cm3
Power:160 KW @ 5600 RPM
218 HP @ 5600 RPM
215 BHP @ 5600 RPM
Torque:260 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM
353 Nm @ 4400 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:126 mph (203 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Discs
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.3 in (5062 mm)
Width:72.9 in (1852 mm)
Height:56.7 in (1440 mm)
Front/rear Track:62.3/62.3 in (1,582/1,582 mm)
Wheelbase:112.2 in (2850 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.9 in (150 mm)
Cargo Volume:14.9 cuFT (422 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.32
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3627 lbs (1645 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km)
Highway:25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km)

OLDSMOBILE Aurora
4.0L V8 4AT FWD (250 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 4.0L V8 4AT FWD (250 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:3995 cm3
Power:186.4 KW @ 5600 RPM
253.5 HP @ 5600 RPM
250 BHP @ 5600 RPM
Torque:260 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM
353 Nm @ 4400 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:135 mph (217 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Discs
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.3 in (5062 mm)
Width:72.9 in (1852 mm)
Height:56.7 in (1440 mm)
Front/rear Track:62.3/62.3 in (1,582/1,582 mm)
Wheelbase:112.2 in (2850 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.9 in (150 mm)
Cargo Volume:14.9 cuFT (422 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.32
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3803 lbs (1725 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:15 mpg US (15.7 L/100Km)
Highway:23 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km)
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