The W-41 package came with a 190 horsepower engine, larger camshafts, and a modified five-speed transmission, all of which shaved half a second off the 0 – 60 time (from 7.5 to 7.0 seconds), a time comparable with cars of the time powered by V8s. It had a curb weight of 2,500 lbs, about the same as the Mazda MX-6 or Honda Prelude, which helped the powerful engine really move.
The base ’91 W-40 MSRP’d for $13,216, and while it was only a few thousand more than contemporaneous imports, the 180 hp engine was 40 to 50 hp more than those imports. In contrast, a BMW 318i with an MSRP of $20,300 only came with a 134 hp engine.
Truth be told, the W-41 was a homologation effort by Olds so that it could use the Quad 442 on the stockcar racing circuit. It’s probable that the lack of advertising simply meant it never intended to make more. Combined with the fact that Calais was an entry-level mid-sized Olds in ’91 – and not an altogether sporty-looking one at that – with a base engine of 110 horses, it’s no wonder the public mostly overlooked the Quad 442 W-41.
While technically a “rare” car, it still doesn’t demand much recognition. One such vehicle was sold in June 2023 at a no-reserve Hemming’s auction for the low price of $3,400.
