Oldsmobile Achieva

The oddly-named Oldsmobile Achieva was introduced in 1992 to replace the previous Cutlass Calais. The Achieva shared the same front wheel drive platform as the Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am, all of which were redesigned for 1992. The Achieva was a moderate success for Oldsmobile, but it was ultimately grossly overshadowed by the far more popular Pontiac Grand Am, which outsold both the Achieva and Buick Skylark combined by a wide margin. The Achieva was sold throughout the 1997 model year before being replaced by the Alero.

Here's a quick rundown:

1992-1997
The 1992 Achieva was available as a 2-door coupe and a 4-door sedan in the following trim levels: Base S and SL for the 2- and 4-door models, while the coupes could have a sporty SC and SCX trim. The coupe was much more popular than the sedan, which was unfortunately saddled with ungainly half-moon-shaped rear quarter wheel well openings - which may have looked fine on a mid-1970's 98, but looked a bit out of place on the compact Achieva to many buyers. Base engine was a 120 hp 2.3L (138 cid) I4 in the S models, with a 160 hp "Quad Four" version standard in the others. A limited-edition 190 hp version was available on the SCX coupe. A 5-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic could be had on any engine, except the 190 hp Quad Four, which was 5-speed manual only. Anti-lock brakes were standard on all models.

1993 Achievas entered the model year with very few changes other than losing 5 hp on the high-output Quad Four engines due to stricter emission rules. A 3.3L (204 cid) V6 became an option on all but the base S models, and had a 3-speed automatic transmission only. 1994 models got a driver's side airbag, and a 3.1L (191 cid) V6 replaced the previous 3.3L V6. The new 3.1 V6 got a 4-speed automatic transmission. The I4s still had either a 3-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual, except the high-output 185 hp version.

In 1995, the SL, SC and SCX trims were eliminated - all that remained was the S model, but it was now available in Series I or Series II trim levels. The high-output Quad Four engines were dropped as well, leaving only a redesigned 150 hp 2.4L (146 cid) I4 and 155 hp 3.1L V6 engines. The I4 could still have a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, while the V6 remained automatic only. A redesigned dashboard featuring revised gauges and passenger-side airbag were changes for 1996 (which eliminated the door-mounted front seatbelts), and air conditioning and daytime running lights were now standard. Trim levels were revised (again), there was now the SC Series I, II or III 2-door coupes; and SL Series II and III 4-door sedans. Drivetrain choices remained as before. There were virtually no changes for 1997, which was the Achieva's last. The Achieva was replaced by the all-new Alero, which was introduced in March 1998 as an early 1999 model.