The Aurora was an unusual vehicle for Oldsmobile in terms of styling and a complete departure from the automaker's design language.
General Motors created the Auror as a luxury sports sedan, and Maurice "Bud" Chandler designed it accordingly with fluid lines. Moreover, since it was based on the same G-platform as the Buick Riviera, it offered enough performance and comfort to compete against European and Japanese automakers. Unlike them, though, it had a V8 heart underneath the hood.
With its minimal gaps for cooling areas, the Aurora seemed like it was meant to feature a small inline-four engine. Its narrow and wide headlights followed the bio-design concept of those years, and it did that perfectly. From its profile, on the other hand, the car's shape was dynamic, with slim pillars that supported the rounded greenhouse. At the back, the carmaker installed a set of taillights shaped like aircraft afterburners.
Inside, the center stack was tilted toward the driver's seat and offered easy access to most buttons and controls. The instrument cluster was also rounded, and the speedometer was placed in the middle of it. Oldsmobile installed comfortable front bucket seats, while in the back, the bench was profiled for two and featured a folding armrest that included two cup holders.
Under the Aurora's skin, the independent suspension on both axles and the four-wheel disc brakes were part of the standard package. Also, the 4.0-liter V8 that sent its power to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission was the only drivetrain available.