Olds veteran Douglas Stott, Aurora's assistant brand manager, says Olds tried many seats before deciding on the look and feel. A hint of craftsmanship upstages soulless, computerized sameness. The test was during winter storms and their aftermath. Little dry pavement amid piles of badly plowed snow meant no chance to really fling the test cars. Outside mirrors fold, unlike the fixed mirrors on the previous Aurora, helping protect your insurance deductible in tight encounters.
Filters clean the passenger compartment air.
Traction control was tuned about right to get the test cars through snow and sleet storms. Interior lights can be switched so that only the foot-level lamps illuminate when the door's opened. That's good for those who feel conspicuous and vulnerable under the overhead lights. It snaps the sedan from rest to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, vs. 8.2 seconds for the previous Aurora. Less thrilling than the V-8, it nevertheless supplies lively performance and sonic reward.