Overview
The 1988-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a First Generation W-Body car. It replaced the rear-drive G-body Cutlass Supreme. The new Cutlass Supreme was the first to be associated with Oldsmobile's new slogan, "This is not your father's Oldsmobile". Both the old and new versions of Cutlass Supreme were available for the model year 1988, so the RWD G-body version was renamed the "Cutlass Supreme Classic". The Cutlass Supreme was only available as a 2-door and featured high-tech electronic instrumentation and unique wrap-around quarter window glass, completely concealing the "C" pillars. The standard Cutlass Supreme powerplant was a 2.8L multi-port fuel injected V6 producing 130HP and 160 ft-lbs of torque. In 1990, a 4-door Cutlass Supreme was introduced, but it was virtually an entirely different car, with a more conservative profile and sharing no exterior body parts with the 2-door. An exciting Cutlass Supreme convertible was introduced in 1991. At the time, it was the only midsize convertible available. It featured a power top, glass rear window with defroster, and passive rollover protection. For the model year 1998, the Cutlass Supreme was replaced by the 4-door Intrigue.

1988-1991 Cutlass Supreme 2-door

1992-1995 Cutlass Supreme Convertible

Limited Editions
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Indy 500 Official Pace Car - This convertible was driven by Chuck Yeager and was a preview of things to come. The car had the 16" aluminum wheels which were to be factory equipment on the 1989-1991 International Series, as well as the same lower bodyside cladding as the 1988-1991 International, with the exception of the front spoiler, which was unique to the Pace Car. There were 50 convertible and 200 coupe street legal replicas made. The engine was a turbocharged version of the 2.3L DOHC Quad4 producing 250 hp.
Reader sighting: Cutlass Supreme FE3 Phantom - A true limited edition, or a one-of-a-kind custom? A reader spotted a 1988-1991 body-style 2-door Cutlass Supreme in all black with red emblems, "FE3 Phantom". Interestingly, FE3 is the RPO number of the Cutlass Supreme sport suspension. Coincidence?

Exterior Specifications
	2-door	4-door
Wheelbase (inches)	107.5	107.5
Track, front/rear	59.5/58.0	59.5/58.0
Brake type, front/rear	Disc/Disc	Disc/Disc
Fuel tank (gallons)	16.5	16.5
Length (inches)	193.9	193.7
Width (inches)	71.0	71.0
Height (inches)	52.3	54.8
Curb Weight (lbs)	~3200	~3300
Turning Circle (ft, curb-to-curb)	36.7	36.7
Drag Coefficient	0.297

Exterior Specifications

2-door

4-door

Wheelbase (inches)

107.5

Track, front/rear

59.5/58.0

Brake type, front/rear

Disc/Disc

Fuel tank (gallons)

16.5

Length (inches)

193.9

193.7

Width (inches)

71.0

Height (inches)

52.3

54.8

Curb Weight (lbs)

~3200

~3300

Turning Circle (ft, curb-to-curb)

36.7

Drag Coefficient

0.297

Available Motors (click for specifications)

Years

Motor

VIN

Performance Data

0-60 (mph)

1/4 mile

1988-1989

2.8L (Gen II) V6

11.4sec (auto)

18.3

1989-1993

3.1L (Gen II) V6

1990-1991

2.3L Quad4 (OHC 16-valve 4-cyl)

A,D

1991-1996

3.4L DOHC 24-valve V6

8.5sec (conv.)

16.5 (conv.)

1994-1997

3.1L (Gen III) V6

9.6sec

Time Line
1988
First model year for the FWD W-body Cutlass Supreme. Three models are available: Base, SL, and International.
1989
3.1L V6 140HP motor replaces the 2.8L engine in mid '89. Cars with the 5-speed manual still get the 2.8. Three-point rear seatbelts are added. Key lock cylinders gain LED illumination on the driver's side. 16" wheels become standard on International, available on SL. ABS, power sunroof, remote keyless entry, CD player, and trip computer join the options list. International Series can be equipped with heads-up instrument display.
1990
First model year for 4-door Cutlass Supreme. A 2.3L Quad 4 capable of 160HP is made available with the 5-speed transmission.
1991
A convertible version of the 2-door is introduced. 3.4L DOHC V6 motor producing 210HP becomes available with a choice of manual/automatic transmission on the coupes, and automatic-only on the sedans.
1992
Cutlass Supreme gets redesigned front/rear fascias and bodyside cladding/ground effects. Composite headlights are replaced with mini-quads on 2-door. Quad 4 is dropped. International Series models get 3.4-liter twin-cam engine, heads-up instrument display, and ABS standard. Sedans get folding rear seatback. Aluminum wheels are standard on SL models.
1993
3.4-liter twin-cam engine now available in convertible, but can’t be ordered with 5-speed transmission anymore. International Series gets new 16" wheels, and all trim models are equipped with automatic power door locks.
1994
Driver-side airbags and ABS become standard on all models. The International is dropped and replaced by Special Editions. A completely new 160HP 3.1L V6, Gen III, replaces old 3.1L V6. Head-up display becomes available on convertible. Tilt steering, intermittent wipers, Pass-Key theft deterrent system, and rear defogger become standard on all models.
1995
Cutlass Supreme gets a new interior which moves the seatbelts off the doors to the B pillar as well as standard dual airbags, suspension is also retuned for less body roll, variable assist steering standard on DOHC versions. There is only a single trim-level this year, Cutlass Supreme S. SL and Special Edition are dropped. Air conditioning, power windows, power locks, tilt steering, and cassette player are standard on all models. This is the last year for the convertible.
1996
3.4L DOHC V6 gains 5HP with intake and exhaust improvements. Cutlass Supreme SL becomes the only model with 4 trim levels: Series I, II, III, and IV. This was originally the anticipated last year for the Cutlass Supreme, however, with stalled development of the new Intrigue sedan, the Cutlass Supreme survives one more year.
1997
This is the least year for the Cutlass Supreme. The 3.4L DOHC V6 is dropped, making the only available motor the 3.1L Gen III V6. The Series IV is dropped. Aluminum wheels and power trunk release become standard equipment. Coupes gain side-impact protection that meets federal safety standards.

Time Line

1988

First model year for the FWD W-body Cutlass Supreme. Three models are available: Base, SL, and International.

1989

3.1L V6 140HP motor replaces the 2.8L engine in mid '89. Cars with the 5-speed manual still get the 2.8. Three-point rear seatbelts are added. Key lock cylinders gain LED illumination on the driver's side. 16" wheels become standard on International, available on SL. ABS, power sunroof, remote keyless entry, CD player, and trip computer join the options list. International Series can be equipped with heads-up instrument display.

1990

First model year for 4-door Cutlass Supreme. A 2.3L Quad 4 capable of 160HP is made available with the 5-speed transmission.

1991

A convertible version of the 2-door is introduced. 3.4L DOHC V6 motor producing 210HP becomes available with a choice of manual/automatic transmission on the coupes, and automatic-only on the sedans.

1992

Cutlass Supreme gets redesigned front/rear fascias and bodyside cladding/ground effects. Composite headlights are replaced with mini-quads on 2-door. Quad 4 is dropped. International Series models get 3.4-liter twin-cam engine, heads-up instrument display, and ABS standard. Sedans get folding rear seatback. Aluminum wheels are standard on SL models.

1993

3.4-liter twin-cam engine now available in convertible, but can’t be ordered with 5-speed transmission anymore. International Series gets new 16" wheels, and all trim models are equipped with automatic power door locks.

1994

Driver-side airbags and ABS become standard on all models. The International is dropped and replaced by Special Editions. A completely new 160HP 3.1L V6, Gen III, replaces old 3.1L V6. Head-up display becomes available on convertible. Tilt steering, intermittent wipers, Pass-Key theft deterrent system, and rear defogger become standard on all models.

1995

Cutlass Supreme gets a new interior which moves the seatbelts off the doors to the B pillar as well as standard dual airbags, suspension is also retuned for less body roll, variable assist steering standard on DOHC versions. There is only a single trim-level this year, Cutlass Supreme S. SL and Special Edition are dropped. Air conditioning, power windows, power locks, tilt steering, and cassette player are standard on all models. This is the last year for the convertible.

1996

3.4L DOHC V6 gains 5HP with intake and exhaust improvements. Cutlass Supreme SL becomes the only model with 4 trim levels: Series I, II, III, and IV. This was originally the anticipated last year for the Cutlass Supreme, however, with stalled development of the new Intrigue sedan, the Cutlass Supreme survives one more year.

1997

This is the least year for the Cutlass Supreme. The 3.4L DOHC V6 is dropped, making the only available motor the 3.1L Gen III V6. The Series IV is dropped. Aluminum wheels and power trunk release become standard equipment. Coupes gain side-impact protection that meets federal safety standards.

Available Transaxles
Years	Model	Description	Engine Application (VIN)	RPO	Comments
1988-1989	HM-282	Getrag 5-speed manual	W	MG2	Very rare
1991-1992	HM-284	Getrag 5-speed manual	X	M27	Rare, strengthened version of HM-282
1988-1989	440T4	4-speed automatic	W,T	ME9	Vacuum controlled, overdrive
1990-1991	4T60	4-speed automatic	T		Same as 440T4, updated numbering
1992-1997	4T60E	4-speed automatic	T,M,X		Electronic version of 4T60