The Oldsmobile Aurora was launched in 1995. It was a luxurious 4-door sedan riding on the same Cadillac-derived "G-body" platform as the 2-door Buick Riviera. It was introduced to bring new life to Oldsmobile, but the first few years of Aurora did not even feature the Oldsmobile name. There was even a rumor at the time that the name of the whole Oldsmobile marque would be changed to "Aurora"!
1995
The 1995 Aurora introduced Oldsmobile's "Aurora" L47 V8, a DOHC engine based on Cadillac's Northstar. The vehicle was lauded at the time for this excellent engine, its high build quality, and refined ride. Oldsmobile quickly launched other new models with the Aurora look, including the Intrigue and redesigned Eighty-Eight.
The first-generation Aurora went into production on January 31, 1994. All Auroras were built in Orion , Michigan with the Buick LeSabre (2000–present), Buick Park Avenue (1997–present), Buick Riviera (1995–8), Oldsmobile 88, Oldsmobile 98 and Pontiac Bonneville. Production of the first-generation Aurora ended on June 25, 1999.
Engines:
- 1995-1999 L47 4.0 L (244 in³) V8
2001
The second generation Aurora went into production in early 2000 as a 2001 model. It used a new less-expensive version of the G platform with a shorter wheelbase. Unlike the original Aurora, this platform was shared with other GM Divisions, with Buick offering the G-body Park Avenue and LeSabre and Pontiac offering the Bonneville.
Oldsmobile also offered a V6 option in the Aurora for the first time. The V6 in question was the 3500, a cut-down relation of the DOHC V8 which was dubbed the "Shortstar". The V6 Aurora was cancelled for the final year of production, 2003.
The second generation Aurora went into production on November 10, 1999. The Final 500 Aurora V6s rolled off the assembly line on June 21, 2002. The Final 500 Aurora V8s rolled off the assembly line on March 28, 2003. The Orion, Michigan plant built a total of 7,217 of the 2nd generation Auroras.
Engines:
- 2001-2002 3500 3.5 L (214 in³) V6
- 2001-2003 L47 4.0 L (244 in³) V8
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