Oldsmobile Series 88 Tenth Generation 1992–1999
| Tenth generation | |
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1996–1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
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| Overview | |
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| Model years | 1992–1999 |
| Assembly | Orion Township, Michigan (Orion Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | H-body |
| Related |
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| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Transmission |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in (2,814 mm) |
| Length |
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The Oldsmobile Eighty Eight was redesigned for 1992, following the redesign of the Ninety Eight the previous year.
This would prove to be the last Eighty Eight or 88 model from Oldsmobile (along with its performance LSS and Regency models) before being discontinued in 1999 with the 2001 Aurora V6 as a replacement. The 3.8 L Buick V6 was still the only engine, but output increased to 170 hp (130 kW) and 220 lb·ft (300 N·m) of torque.
The Eighty-Eight's front and rear were restyled for 1996 to bear more resemblance to the flagship Aurora.
In the 1996 model year, GM renamed the model from "Eighty Eight Royale" to three models – Eighty Eight, Eighty Eight LS and LSS (A "Luxury Sports Sedan" targeted to male European car buyers, available with a supercharged V6 and a floor mounted gear shifter). It is important to note, however, early LSS models (1995) were rarely equipped with the 3800 Supercharged engine. The LSS was an originally a trim level package on the 88 starting in 1992. In 1996 the LSS received Aurora-inspired seats. 1996 was the final year that the original-style rocket (in black and silver) appeared on a hood emblem. 1997 would welcome the new Oldsmobile logo on all Eighty-Eight trims except the Regency.
After the demise of the Ninety-Eight in 1996, Oldsmobile added the Regency to the 1997 and 1998 lineups, which used the same front fenders and chrome grille as the Ninety-Eight sedan but kept the standard Eighty-Eight body. The Regency featured a long list of standard features including traction control, leather upholstery, dual 6-way power seats with power lumbar and a driver's side memory function, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and an electronic level control for the rear suspension. A driver's side electrochromic outside mirror was also standard on the Regency, a feature that even Cadillac didn't offer as standard equipment. The interior day/night auto-dimming mirror was linked to the outside mirror and dimmed both with the same intensity at the same time. Some of these options, like the 2-driver memory feature, were not available on the Eighty-Eight Royale or LSS.
All four vehicles used the same 110.8 in (2,810 mm) wheelbase and shared an updated version of the H-body. The suspension tuning, interior appointments, and certain exterior trim was used to differentiate the three models.
Engines:
- 1992–1994 3.8 L (231 in³) 3800 Series I V6, 170 hp (130 kW)
- 1995–1999 3.8 L (231 in³) 3800 Series II V6, 205 hp (155 kW)
- 1995 3.8 L (231 in³) supercharged 3800 Series I V6, 225 hp (170 kW) which was only installed on 100 vehicles of its kind.
- 1996–1999 3.8 L (231 in³) supercharged 3800 Series II V6, 240 hp (190 kW)
From 1992 to 1999, the Eighty Eight was produced in Lake Orion, Michigan.
Year-to-year changes:
- 1992: The redesign.
- 1993: Trunk mounted key cover emblem removed.
- 1994: The first facelift: Front grill and headlamps were redesigned, 'sculpted' aluminum turbine rims were made available. A major redesign to the dash added a passenger side airbag and made it less cluttered and more modern. A new model was introduced, the Luxury Sport Sedan (LSS). Engineers fitted bucket seats (a pair of right-hand halves of the standard 60/40 split bench seat), floor shifter and a center console (borrowed from the previous generation Pontiac Bonneville SSE) into the interior, and full instrumentation for the dash. Higher spring rates and larger diameter stabilizer bars for the front and rear suspension gave the LSS a firm ride and more controlled handling.
- 1995: The 3.8L V6 engine was bumped from 170 hp (130 kW) to 205 hp (153 kW). All models shared this same 3.8L engine. The optional 3800 Supercharged engine, making 225 hp (168 kW), was an available option for the LSS, and later other models. First OEM GPS system introduced by any manufacturer, as an option.
- 1996: The second facelift: New front grill and new round headlights, all body trim was changed to give the car a cleaner, more aerodynamic appearance. Tailamps and rear reflector bar were slightly reshaped. All models were renamed from Eighty Eight Royale to Eighty Eight and Eighty Eight LS ([LS] which migrated from an 88 Royale trim). The LSS continued with the same changes to the exterior as other models, the addition of Aurora styled seats, but the same center console was retained for one more year. The supercharged LSS engine was bumped from 225 hp (168 kW) to 240 hp (180 kW).
- 1997: An upscale, "fully loaded" version of the Eighty-Eight was introduced as the Oldsmobile Regency to satisfy previous Ninety-Eight buyers. All Oldsmobile Eighty Eight and LSS models (except for the Regency) changed badges from the '80s Oldsmobile "Rocket" logo to the 1997–2004 Oldsmobile "Rocket Oval" logo, inspired by the Aurora's logo. The center console on bucket seat cars was also redesigned to fit up against the lower part of the dash, allowed for rear passenger vents, and 2 cupholders for front the occupants.
1998: Last year for the Regency which kept the old "Rocket" logo. The last Oldsmobile Regency rolled off the assembly line on June 18, 1998.
- 1999: Last year for both Eighty Eight and LSS models. This was also the last Oldsmobile sedan to have 6-passenger seating as an option. The last Oldsmobile LSS was produced on September 23, 1998. The last Oldsmobile Eighty Eight 50th Anniversary Edition was manufactured on January 6, 1999.