Oldsmobile Intrigue Overview

Like all car makers these days, General Motors is working to create chassis that can support a wide variety of products, and thus reduce the number of platforms in its manufacturing programs.

From the manufacturer's point of view, the obvious payoff is reduced cost. But what about you?

Judging by the new Olds Intrigue, we think you'll do just fine. This 1998 replacement for the Cutlass Supreme does have a lot in common with a number of other GM mid-size entries--the Buick Century and Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevy Lumina, for example--but it has its own character and, in fact, may be one of the best interpretations of GM's new W-car group.

It's a little more smooth and compliant than the Grand Prix on rough surfaces, it's more agile than the Century and it has enough punch to keep pace with the Japanese V6 sedans Olds hopes to challenge--notably, the Nissan Maxima and Toyota Camry. And, as you'd expect with its higher purchase price, it's far more luxurious than the Lumina.