The Oldsmobile Achieva is a front-wheel drive compact sedan and coupe that was introduced by Oldsmobile for the 1992 model year. The Achieva was based on the GM N-body platform, which it also shared with its siblings the Pontiac Grand Am and Buick Skylark. The Achieva replaced the GM N-body Cutlass Calais after its final 1991 model year, and ended production after the 1998 model year.
Overview
The Achieva is a compact car produced by the General Motors' Oldsmobile division from 1991 until 1998 and was available as a sedan or coupe. It was offered in four different trim levels during its production run: S, SC, SL, and SCX. Available engines included different versions of the Oldsmobile-developed 2.3 L Quad 4 engine: the base single-cam L40 "Quad OHC", the DOHC LD2, the high-output LG0, and the special "W41" variant of the LG0 Quad 4 used in the SCX model. All were replaced for 1996 by a revised 2.4 L version. A pair of V6 engines were also offered including the Buick-sourced 90° 3.3 L "3300" V6, which was later replaced by Chevrolet's 60° 3.1 L "3100" V6. While a 5-speed manual transaxle was initially offered as the standard base transmission, most Achieva models were sold with 3-speed or 4-speed automatic transaxles. 1998 was the final model year for the Achieva, after which it was replaced in the Oldsmobile lineup by the Alero for the 1999 model year.
Initial production
The Achieva was first seen as a concept car at the 1991 Chicago Auto Show, positioned to replace Oldsmobile's compact Calais models. The Calais and Achieva share the same front wheel drive N-body architecture including identical wheelbase. The Achieva started regular production for the 1992 model year. It was offered in four different trim levels: S and SL, available on both coupes and sedans, and the sporty SC and SCX coupes. The base S offered a 2.3 L "Quad OHC" 4-cylinder, while the SL had the DOHC Quad 4 engine standard that was optional on the S model. A 3.3 L V6 engine was optional for the SL. The SC coupe had a standard high-output Quad 4 with 5-speed manual transmission or a 3 speed automatic, with the 3.3 L V6 being an option.
SCX
The W41 coupe was introduced by Oldsmobile in 1991 on the Cutlass Calais and offered through 1993 on the Achieva. The Achieva SCX replaced the previous Cutlass Calais 442 W41 as the best handling, highest power output compact car in the Oldsmobile's lineup as well as being the last performance "W-Machine" Oldsmobile would offer. The SCX is a higher-performance version of the SC (sports coupe) and as such utilized the SC's deeper front bumper cover with standard fog lamps, lower body side cladding, rear bumper cover with dual exhaust tip cut-outs, as well as a unique W41-specific silver colored stripe around the lower body moldings, "W41" decals on the front fenders, and "Achieva SCX" decals at the leading edges of the doors. Other appearance changes for the SCX W41 package included the addition of a 140 mph speedometer in place of the standard 120 mph unit as well as a tachometer indicating the higher 7200 rpm red line.
Performance modifications primarily differentiated the SCX from the SC models and were designed to make the SCX competitive for use in showroom stock racing series such as the IMSA Firehawk and SCCA GRAND-AM World Challenge. This included the move to smaller diameter yet wider V-rated P215/60VR14 BF Goodrich Comp T/A tires on 14x6.5 inch cast aluminum wheels (compared to the SC's 205/55R16 on 16x6 inch wheels) and different suspension components on the SCX-specific FX3 RPO coded suspension. The suspension changes included larger diameter direct-acting front sway bar over the base Achieva, a wider rear axle with dual rear sway bars, "Computer Command Ride" (CCR) electronically adjustable struts and shock absorbers, as well as higher spring rates and bushing changes. (A similar CCR electronic suspension was also offered as an option on the Achieva SC as well as the platform-mate Buick Skylark and works similar to the systems offered on Cadillac and Corvette models of the time.)