2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Oldsmobile Aurora Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.

This particular Oldsmobile Aurora has a 3995cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Oldsmobile Front Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Aurora shares its Petrol V 8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the Aurora's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the earlier 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1725 kgs (3802 lbs) places the Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Toyota GR GT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8, give or take 50kg.

The Oldsmobile Aurora shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (255 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3995cc 32 valve, V 8 engine produces around 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 5600 rpm which is comparable to the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (255 bhp) and also the 2022 BYD Dolphin FWD (242 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 260 lb-ft (352.5 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (280 lb-ft) or the 2023 BYD Seal Design (266 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Oldsmobile Aurora.

The Oldsmobile Aurora has a power to weight ratio of 144.9 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2001 Aurora 4.0 V8 means you're competing with the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2012 Lexus LS 600h (169.8 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 generates around 150.7 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (175.7 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe (175.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.50 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.7 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 include the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) and the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 and the Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.33 secs with a trap speed around 88.8 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (15.34 seconds @ 88.8 mph) and a close race between the Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI (15.34 seconds @ 88.8 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2001 version of the Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Aurora equals the Lancia Thema 2.9 V8 8.32 (139 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 then there's the slightly slower the Lancia Thema 2.9 V8 8.32 (139 mph) or how about the impressive Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (139 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2001 Aurora Rivals List.
• 2001 Aurora: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Oldsmobile
• Compare the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora