1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Olds creates a winner. By Tony Swan, New Car Test Drive .com

Like all car makers these days, General Motors is working to create chassis

that can support a wide variety of products, and thus reduce the number

of platforms in its manufacturing programs.

From the manufacturer's point of view, the obvious payoff is reduced

cost. But what about you?

Judging by the new Olds Intrigue, we think you'll do just fine. This

1998 replacement for the Cutlass Supreme does have a lot in common with

a number of other GM mid-size entries--the Buick Century and Regal, Pontiac

Grand Prix and Chevy Lumina, for example--but it has its own character

and, in fact, may be one of the best interpretations of GM's new W-car

group.

It's a little more smooth and compliant than the Grand Prix on rough

surfaces, it's more agile than the Century and it has enough punch to keep

pace with the Japanese V6 sedans Olds hopes to challenge--notably, the

Nissan Maxima and Toyota Camry. And, as you'd expect with its higher purchase

price, it's far more luxurious than the Lumina.