Oldsmobile Firenza

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Oldsmobile Firenza
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1982–1988
Assembly	Leeds, Missouri
Predecessor	Oldsmobile Starfire
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	2-door coupé 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	J-body
Engine(s)	1.8 L I4 1.8 L turbocharged I4 2.0 L I4 2.8 L LE2 V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	101.2 in (2570 mm)
Length	169.9 in (4315 mm) (hatchback) 171.9 in (4366 mm) (sedan) 179 in (4547 mm) (wagon)
Width	65.0 in (1651 mm)
Height	52.3 in (1328 mm) (hatchback) 53.8 in (1367 mm) (sedan) 54.4 in (1382 mm) (wagon)
Fuel capacity	13.6 US gallons (11.3 imp gal/51.5 L)
Related	Buick Skyhawk Cadillac Cimarron Chevrolet Cavalier Pontiac Sunbird

The Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird.

[edit] Overview

The Firenza was Oldsmobile's entry-level compact car, priced below the sightly larger Omega and later Calais/Cutlass Calais. As a J platform car, it was generally seen as one of the mid-level varients (the other being the Skyhawk). The Cavalier and Sunbird represented the budget-end, and the Cimarron the luxury end. That said, with the exception of the Cimarron (which cost thousands more), the base prices of the Cavalier, Sunbird, Firenza, and Skyhawk (in order from least to most expensive) were usually separated only by a few hundred dollars.

It was initially available as a coupe and sedan with a 1.8 liter four-cylinder as the sole powerplant. The Firenza Cruiser wagon was added for 1983. In 1985 the 2.8 L LE2 V6 was added as an option, as well as a new hatchback model which could be ordered with a sporty GT package. The GT, with the V6 standard, became a separate trim level the next year. For its final year it was pared down to just the coupe, sedan, and wagon, only with four-cylinder power.

[edit] Trims & options

1988 Oldsmobile Firenza sedan

Trim levels for the Firenza included: base, LX, S, SX, GT (1986-1987), LC (1986-1987), LX Brougham (1987 only). For the Firenza Cruiser station wagons, trim levels included: Cruiser (base), Brougham Cruiser, and LX Cruiser (1984-1985). The name "Cruiser" was applied to all Oldsmobile station wagons at the time; this included the mid-size Cutlass Cruiser and full-size Custom Cruiser. Other options included: air conditioning, leather seats, power seats, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power locks, rear defrost, power steering, manual or power sunroof, power moonroof, alloy wheels, premium wheels, AM/FM stereo radio, and cassette player.

For its final year of 1988, the Firenza received a new Cutlass Ciera-styled front end. All Firenzas came in a one standard trim level, with six available option packages. The hatchback version was also dropped for that year. After the Firenza was discontinued, it was not replaced in Oldsmobile's lineup, leaving the Cutlass Calais as the division's smallest car. The Cimarron was discontinued that year as well. Leeds Assembly, which built the Firenza, was closed. The Skyhawk lasted another year, while GM kept the Sunbird and Cavalier around until 1994 and 2005, respectively.

[edit] Engines

• 1.8L I4 • 1984-1986 • 84 hp (1984,1986) and 82 hp (1985)
• 2.0L I4 • 1982-1988 • 82 hp (1982-1983), 88 hp (1984-1985), 85 hp (1986), 90 hp (1987), and 96 hp (1988)
• 2.8L LE2 V6 • 1985-1987 • 130 hp (1985), 120 hp (1986), and 125 hp (1987)

[edit] External links

• MSN-autos.com - 1988 Oldsmobile Firenza model overview
• MSN-autos.com - 1988 Oldsmobile Firenza Cruiser model overview

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