Performance Review: Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Oldsmobile Cutlass Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Oldsmobile Cutlass has a 2260cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cutlass shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cutlass's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1243 kgs (2740 lbs) this makes the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2260cc 16V St4 engine produces 180 bhp (134 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 160 lb-ft (216.9 Nm) @ 5200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Oldsmobile Cutlass you can get a better idea of it's 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 Cutlass.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass has a Power to weight ratio of 144.8 bhp per ton and 128.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Cutlass competing with the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (169.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Oldsmobile Cutlass generating around 128.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (153.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20v Turbo (153.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cutlass and the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport

When talking about the performance of the Oldsmobile Cutlass on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.32 secs @ 89.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs), the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs), and the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 Cutlass equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Cutlass Rivals List.

A Brief History of Oldsmobile

Car Comparison