You know the X-Files, right? The Fox television series about two FBI agents who investigate paranormal activities and are convinced the government is hiding proof of extraterrestrial life? The one where the lead characters always wear trench coats and want to get together romantically but never do? Of course you know. Everyone does ... now. The X-Files is a very successful television show. But it wasn't always that way. I used to be an X-Files junkie, staying in every Friday night with the lights turned off and an eerie glow emanating from my television screen. I even named my cat Scullie, after Dana Scully, the main female character. But I had to get out when I saw what was happening.
First, the show moved to Sunday night, a mistake in my book. But, since it was more acceptable to the masses to stay in and watch TV on Sundays, ratings skyrocketed. Then the circus began. Almost overnight David Duchovny became a teen idol and Gillian Anderson a household name. What started out four seasons ago as a cult television series with a small but loyal following has burgeoned into a national success during the past two years. Now, they've got X-Files fan clubs, websites, a book series, tons of hot-selling paraphernalia, lead actors quibbling over salary and most recently, a motion picture.
It's this insane X-Files frenzy that Oldsmobile is hoping to cash in on by presenting its revamped 1999 Intrigue as the vehicle of choice for Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in the just-released X-Files flick that is bringing hordes of Generation Xers and straggling Baby Boomers to the movies--and Oldsmobile dealerships. Regional marketing plans for Oldsmobile go something like this: "Come in and test-drive an Intrigue and we'll give you free tickets to the X-Files movie." According to Olds execs, dealers nationwide are absolutely flabbergasted by the sheer number of young twenty- and thirty-somethings appearing in their showrooms. Of course, they just want the movie tickets ... but wait until they drive the car. The "old" in Oldsmobile is going right down the tubes, and that's just what the company wanted when they signed on for this venture.
The car that the detectives drive in the movie is a silver 1999 Intrigue, with the all-new 3.5-liter twin cam V6 engine under the hood. With roots derived from the Aurora V8 premium engines, Oldsmobile has upped the ante in terms of power and performance in its hot-selling sedan. The 3.5-liter twin cam engine will be available at the beginning of the 1999 model year on the GLS trim level only. By year's end, the 3800 V6 engine that currently powers the Intrigue will be phased out and replaced by the premium 24-valve V6 as standard equipment on all models. The new engine will be exclusive to the Intrigue in 1999.
In early June, at a press event in Texas, journalists had the opportunity to drive several of these higher-powered Intrigues in the twisty hills outside of Austin. Most of us were duly impressed.
Thisis an Oldsmobile? I thought, as I rounded a high-speed curve, impressed with the car's tight handling and the powerful, quiet engine that had no problem catapulting me past other vehicles that were putzing along on the two-lane country road. Using new combustion technology and boasting 215 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 230 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm, the all-new twin cam engine offers a wide performance powerband that provides 90 percent of peak torque on tap from 1,600 rpm to 5,600 rpm. And from the driver's seat, that translates into one fun ride.
The twin cams and two-piece aluminum block design provide more stiffness and strength, which increases durability and decreases noise. This engine design is complemented by individual iron cylinder liners that are permanently cast into the block to provide a durable interface for the aluminum pistons. Three single-row roller chains and eight sprockets keep the valve timing synchronized with no required maintenance, and the crankshaft-triggered ignition system features dual crankshaft sensors, a single-cam sensor and coil-on-plug technology. With a 9.3:1 compression ratio optimized for thermal efficiency with regular fuel, the engine uses a bore/stroke ratio that enhances fuel economy, yet still provides plenty of low-end torque for those times when you just have to beat someone off the line or get away from aliens.
Engineers also equipped the Intrigue with a powertrain control module (PCM) that monitors and directs engine and transmission operations and predicts true oil life based on the owner's driving habits. More than 29 sensors communicate with the PCM, which is housed in the air cleaner, to provide temperature, speed, position and location settings for several powertrain functions.
Attributes of the new engine include a chain-driven camshaft, a coolant system design with an internal bypass that achieves rapid warm-up and improves emissions and fuel economy, and a "limp home" mode that allows the engine to run without damage in the event of a sudden coolant loss.
This engine was designed and tested in math-based computer simulation while engineers analyzed windage loss, intake fluid dynamics, structural stresses, noise, vibration and power. The 3.5-liter motor also offers single-size thick shell main and rod bearing inserts and an electric air-injection-reactor pump with exhaust manifold discharge. Also featured is cylinder head retention by long bolts, that thread deeply into the engine instead of deck surfaces, a centrifugal twin scroll water pump mounted to the front cover with thermostat controlling inlet passage, a roller follower valvetrain with static hydraulic lash adjuster, 36 mm intake valves and 28 mm exhaust valves.
To ensure the engine will be working at its full potential, GM engineers upgraded 70 percent of the components in the four-speed automatic transaxle that currently sits in the Intrigue, making for smoother shifts, increased use of torque and horsepower, and quieter performance. Also new on the Intrigue for '99 is a thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full function traction control and a grid-type radio antenna.
Fortunately, as you maneuver the Intrigue around town or cross-country, you probably won't be thinking much about transaxles or valvetrains. You won't even be thinking about the X-Files. Most likely, you'll just be enjoying the way this vehicle drives. It's got more power than you need, plenty of style and a smooth ride. Inside, the vehicle is comfortable, provides good visibility and has lots of extras that make the Intrigue a must to look at if you're shopping the Toyota Camry V6/VW Passat/Nissan Maxima/Honda Accord V6 segment. Hey, if it's good enough for Scully and Mulder, it's definitely worth investigating.
First, the show moved to Sunday night, a mistake in my book. But, since it was more acceptable to the masses to stay in and watch TV on Sundays, ratings skyrocketed. Then the circus began. Almost overnight David Duchovny became a teen idol and Gillian Anderson a household name. What started out four seasons ago as a cult television series with a small but loyal following has burgeoned into a national success during the past two years. Now, they've got X-Files fan clubs, websites, a book series, tons of hot-selling paraphernalia, lead actors quibbling over salary and most recently, a motion picture.
It's this insane X-Files frenzy that Oldsmobile is hoping to cash in on by presenting its revamped 1999 Intrigue as the vehicle of choice for Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in the just-released X-Files flick that is bringing hordes of Generation Xers and straggling Baby Boomers to the movies--and Oldsmobile dealerships. Regional marketing plans for Oldsmobile go something like this: "Come in and test-drive an Intrigue and we'll give you free tickets to the X-Files movie." According to Olds execs, dealers nationwide are absolutely flabbergasted by the sheer number of young twenty- and thirty-somethings appearing in their showrooms. Of course, they just want the movie tickets ... but wait until they drive the car. The "old" in Oldsmobile is going right down the tubes, and that's just what the company wanted when they signed on for this venture.
The car that the detectives drive in the movie is a silver 1999 Intrigue, with the all-new 3.5-liter twin cam V6 engine under the hood. With roots derived from the Aurora V8 premium engines, Oldsmobile has upped the ante in terms of power and performance in its hot-selling sedan. The 3.5-liter twin cam engine will be available at the beginning of the 1999 model year on the GLS trim level only. By year's end, the 3800 V6 engine that currently powers the Intrigue will be phased out and replaced by the premium 24-valve V6 as standard equipment on all models. The new engine will be exclusive to the Intrigue in 1999.
In early June, at a press event in Texas, journalists had the opportunity to drive several of these higher-powered Intrigues in the twisty hills outside of Austin. Most of us were duly impressed.
Thisis an Oldsmobile? I thought, as I rounded a high-speed curve, impressed with the car's tight handling and the powerful, quiet engine that had no problem catapulting me past other vehicles that were putzing along on the two-lane country road. Using new combustion technology and boasting 215 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 230 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm, the all-new twin cam engine offers a wide performance powerband that provides 90 percent of peak torque on tap from 1,600 rpm to 5,600 rpm. And from the driver's seat, that translates into one fun ride.
The twin cams and two-piece aluminum block design provide more stiffness and strength, which increases durability and decreases noise. This engine design is complemented by individual iron cylinder liners that are permanently cast into the block to provide a durable interface for the aluminum pistons. Three single-row roller chains and eight sprockets keep the valve timing synchronized with no required maintenance, and the crankshaft-triggered ignition system features dual crankshaft sensors, a single-cam sensor and coil-on-plug technology. With a 9.3:1 compression ratio optimized for thermal efficiency with regular fuel, the engine uses a bore/stroke ratio that enhances fuel economy, yet still provides plenty of low-end torque for those times when you just have to beat someone off the line or get away from aliens.
Engineers also equipped the Intrigue with a powertrain control module (PCM) that monitors and directs engine and transmission operations and predicts true oil life based on the owner's driving habits. More than 29 sensors communicate with the PCM, which is housed in the air cleaner, to provide temperature, speed, position and location settings for several powertrain functions.
Attributes of the new engine include a chain-driven camshaft, a coolant system design with an internal bypass that achieves rapid warm-up and improves emissions and fuel economy, and a "limp home" mode that allows the engine to run without damage in the event of a sudden coolant loss.
This engine was designed and tested in math-based computer simulation while engineers analyzed windage loss, intake fluid dynamics, structural stresses, noise, vibration and power. The 3.5-liter motor also offers single-size thick shell main and rod bearing inserts and an electric air-injection-reactor pump with exhaust manifold discharge. Also featured is cylinder head retention by long bolts, that thread deeply into the engine instead of deck surfaces, a centrifugal twin scroll water pump mounted to the front cover with thermostat controlling inlet passage, a roller follower valvetrain with static hydraulic lash adjuster, 36 mm intake valves and 28 mm exhaust valves.
To ensure the engine will be working at its full potential, GM engineers upgraded 70 percent of the components in the four-speed automatic transaxle that currently sits in the Intrigue, making for smoother shifts, increased use of torque and horsepower, and quieter performance. Also new on the Intrigue for '99 is a thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full function traction control and a grid-type radio antenna.
Fortunately, as you maneuver the Intrigue around town or cross-country, you probably won't be thinking much about transaxles or valvetrains. You won't even be thinking about the X-Files. Most likely, you'll just be enjoying the way this vehicle drives. It's got more power than you need, plenty of style and a smooth ride. Inside, the vehicle is comfortable, provides good visibility and has lots of extras that make the Intrigue a must to look at if you're shopping the Toyota Camry V6/VW Passat/Nissan Maxima/Honda Accord V6 segment. Hey, if it's good enough for Scully and Mulder, it's definitely worth investigating.
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