Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The first article on this model is a general overview. This one is a buyer’s comparison: which Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme version to pick, using only the given numbers.

There is one generation of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in this catalogue: 1 generation, Cabrio, 1988–1997, nine versions. All nine are Gasoline, Automatic, FWD, front-transverse, no boost, and they share a 63 L tank. The buying question is not “which generation,” but which of three engines — 2.3 AT, 3.1 AT, or 3.4 AT — and which kerb-weight listing of that engine.

The first article on this model is a general overview. This one is a buyer’s comparison: which Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme version to pick, using only the given numbers.

# Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: which version to buy (1988–1997 Cabrio)

There is one generation of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in this catalogue: 1 generation, Cabrio, 1988–1997, nine versions. All nine are Gasoline, Automatic, FWD, front-transverse, no boost, and they share a 63 L tank. The buying question is not “which generation,” but which of three engines — 2.3 AT, 3.1 AT, or 3.4 AT — and which kerb-weight listing of that engine. Names below are the database names; same-name rows are split by power where needed (all 2.3 AT are 162 hp; all 3.1 AT are 141 hp; all 3.4 AT are 213 hp) and then by kerb weight.

Specs table: every listed version

Valves per cylinder: 2.3 AT 4; 3.1 AT 2; 3.4 AT 4. Compression: 9.5 / 8.8 / 9.25. Bore × stroke: 92 × 85 / 89 × 84 / 92 × 84.

Engine math: what the extra displacement actually buys

2.3 AT is the densest engine: 162 hp from 2260 cm³ is about 71.7 hp per litre. 3.4 AT is 213 hp from 3350 cm³, about 63.6 hp/L. 3.1 AT is 141 hp from 3135 cm³, about 45.0 hp/L — the lowest specific output in the set.

Torque goes the other way. 3.1 AT makes 251 Nm at 3200 rpm, 41 Nm more than 2.3 AT (210 Nm at 5200 rpm) despite 21 hp less. 3.4 AT adds another 40 Nm (291 Nm at 4000 rpm) and 72 hp over 3.1 AT, and 81 Nm / 51 hp over 2.3 AT.

Peak power rpm: 2.3 AT 6200, 3.4 AT 5200, 3.1 AT 4400. The four-cylinder is the high-rev unit; the 3.1 V-shaped six is the low-rpm torque unit.

Gearbox: 2.3 AT is the only 3-speed Automatic. Both V6s are 4-speed Automatic. That is a structural difference, not a trim option in this data.

Fuel grade: 2.3 AT and 3.4 AT use 92; 3.1 AT uses 95. The 3.1 does not buy more power; it is the only version that specifies the higher grade.

Weight per horsepower (the real ranking)

Kerb weight is the only listing that splits same-name versions. Gross weight is not measured on all nine. Wheel sizes are not measured on all nine.

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp):

• 3.4 AT 1445 kg: 6.8 kg/hp (lightest load on the strongest engine)
• 3.4 AT 1585 kg: 7.4 kg/hp
• 3.4 AT 1697 kg: 8.0 kg/hp
• 2.3 AT 1445 kg: 8.9 kg/hp
• 2.3 AT 1490 kg: 9.2 kg/hp
• 2.3 AT 1635 kg: 10.1 kg/hp
• 3.1 AT 1445 kg: 10.2 kg/hp
• 3.1 AT 1450 kg: 10.3 kg/hp
• 3.1 AT 1635 kg: 11.6 kg/hp (heaviest load on the weakest engine)

The 3.4 AT at 1445 kg is 4.8 kg/hp better than the 3.1 AT at 1635 kg. Same 3.4 AT engine at 1697 kg is 252 kg heavier than the 1445 kg 3.4 AT listing — about 17% more kerb for the same 213 hp and 291 Nm.

Among 2.3 AT rows, 1635 kg vs 1445 kg is 190 kg (about 13%). Among 3.1 AT, 1635 vs 1445 is the same 190 kg. The 1490 kg 2.3 AT sits 45 kg above the lightest four-cylinder; the 1450 kg 3.1 AT is only 5 kg above the lightest 3.1.

Performance and mpg: what is measured

0–100 km/h is not measured on every version. Do not treat that as “no acceleration”; it is simply not in the data.

Top speed is measured:

• 3.4 AT: 220 km/h (all three kerb listings)
• 2.3 AT: 190 km/h
• 3.1 AT: 185 km/h

3.4 AT is 30 km/h above 2.3 AT and 35 km/h above 3.1 AT. The 5 km/h gap between 2.3 AT and 3.1 AT matches the 21 hp gap, not the torque gap.

Fuel use is measured on one row only: 3.4 AT at 1697 kg — city 16, highway 10, mixed 10.5 (L/100 km as given). For the other eight versions, city, highway, and mixed are not measured. CO2 and eco class are not measured on all nine. You cannot rank mpg across the range from this catalogue; you can only cite that one 3.4 AT mixed 10.5 figure.

Dimensions: clearance, tank, brakes, suspension

Tank is 63 L on all nine. Ground clearance is 150 mm on eight versions and 190 mm on the 3.1 AT at 1635 kg — the only 40 mm extra ride height in the set. That same listing is also the heaviest 3.1 AT (11.6 kg/hp). Extra clearance and extra kerb travel together on that row.

Front suspension: Independent, spring. Rear: Dependent, leaf spring. Front brakes: Ventilated disc. Rear: Disc. That chassis language is identical on every version; it does not help you choose.

Which version to choose

If the goal is the strongest numbers in this file: take 3.4 AT. It is the only 213 hp / 291 Nm / 220 km/h combination. Prefer the 3.4 AT at 1445 kg over 1585 kg (−140 kg) and over 1697 kg (−252 kg). The 1697 kg 3.4 AT is the only version with measured consumption (16 / 10 / 10.5); if you need a published mixed figure, that is the only row that has it, at the cost of the highest kerb in the model.

If the goal is specific output and 92-octane with a smaller engine: 2.3 AT (162 hp, 71.7 hp/L, 190 km/h, 3-speed Automatic). Prefer 1445 kg, then 1490 kg, then 1635 kg. You give up 51 hp, 81 Nm, 30 km/h, and one gearbox ratio versus 3.4 AT. You gain 21 hp and 5 km/h versus 3.1 AT, and you stay on 92 fuel.

If the goal is low-rpm torque and a 4-speed without the 3.4’s peak power: 3.1 AT (141 hp, 251 Nm at 3200 rpm, 185 km/h, 95 fuel, 2 valves per cylinder). Prefer 1445 kg or 1450 kg. The 1635 kg 3.1 AT is the worst kg/hp in the catalogue (11.6) but the only 190 mm clearance. That is the trade: height versus mass.

Do not pick 3.1 AT expecting more power than 2.3 AT — it has 21 hp less. Pick it for 41 Nm more torque, a 4-speed instead of 3, and (on one listing) 40 mm more clearance.

There is no second generation here to “wait for.” Restyling is not a separate generation in this data. The nine Cabrio listings are three powertrains repeated at different kerb weights. Arithmetic on those weights is the only intra-name difference the catalogue gives you.