In addition to the overall similar shape, the Tube Car featured many detailed elements that were later found on the production automobile, including a full-width taillamp, wraparound rear windshield, and frameless windows.

[1][2] By the Aurora's introduction, Oldsmobile sales had fallen from a record high of 1,066,122 in 1985 to 402,936 in 1993; rumors of the division's demise were rampant, which GM at the time firmly denied.

[3] Competition from Acura, Infiniti and Lexus offered similar products that benefited from superior durability and reliability reputations.

[5] At one point, then-division head John Rock (who had recently arrived from the GMC division) proposed using the Aurora name to replace the Oldsmobile brand entirely and offer cars in a similar fashion to GM's nascent Saturn division (a plan ultimately nixed by the GM higher-ups, though for a period Saturn's no-haggle pricing was implemented[6]).

Oldsmobile subsequently borrowed Aurora styling cues for its Intrigue and compact Alero models.The Aurora went into production on January 24, 1994,[13] and was released for the 1995 model year, featuring dual-zone climate control, driver and front passenger airbags, leather seating surfaces, genuine burl walnut interior accents, six-speaker sound system with in-dash cd-cassette, and eight-way power adjustable front seats with 2-position memory.

[14] An onboard computer displaying the date, current gas consumption, and other information was also standard, and was mounted in the center of the dashboard, above the factory radio and climate controls.

Options included a power sunroof, Bose Acoustimass premium amplified sound system, heated front seats, and Autobahn package.

Further revisions include daytime running lights and OBD II compliant on-board diagnostic systems, tweaking the climate control and safety alarm, a revised keyless entry system with new features and the short list of optional equipment was expanded to include chrome wheels and a gold trim package.

Another new feature was a tilt-down right-outside mirror that enhances the driver's view of close objects, whenever the shifter is placed in reverse.

On some 1997 models, a modest "Oldsmobile" badge returned to the right-rear corner of the car along with the Aurora name.

Internal rebound springs added to front struts for improved body motion control and to minimize crash-through.

GM's previously optional OnStar system, standard for this year, uses a dedicated button on the cellular telephone putting drivers in contact with an information center that can provide them with emergency assistance.

[23][24][25][26] Buick dropped its Riviera development plans at the same time Oldsmobile faced fiscal trouble.

This Aurora did not sell as well as the original, overshadowed by GM's announcement in December 2000 that the Oldsmobile marque was to be phased out over the next several years.

Automobile magazine wrote that "The Aurora's new look is not quite as sensuous or elegant as that of the outgoing model,"[29] but the Auto Channel review said, "it was better in every respect.

The second-generation Oldsmobile Aurora featured as standard equipment, keyless entry, security alarm, luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces with power adjustments for the driver's seat, an AM-FM stereo with radio data system (RDS) and cassette and single-disc CD players, a six-speaker sound system, leather door panel inserts, wood interior trim, automatic climate control, OnStar in-vehicle telematics system (later introduction), steering wheel-mounted climate and radio controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power trunk release from the keyless entry remote, a multi-function driver's information center mounted above the factory radio and climate controls, a rear bench seat with fold-down center armrest, luxury-styled alloy wheels, a spare tire and wheel, automatic front head and fog lamps, a 3.5L V6 engine, a 4-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive (FWD), front and side SRS airbags.