Oldsmobile is officially back from the grave, and the rocket is pointing straight to 2026. The all-new Cutlass isn’t a retro tribute or a lazy badge job it’s a ground-up, fire-breathing muscle coupe that drags the famous name into the modern age with over 600 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and tech that makes today’s performance cars look like flip phones.
GM shocked the world at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show when they rolled this thing out under spotlights with the classic Oldsmobile “rocket” logo glowing on the grille. This is the real deal the first Oldsmobile in over 20 years, built to fight the Mustang Dark Horse, BMW M4, and Cadillac’s own CT4-V Blackwing on their home turf.
A Design That Screams Attitude
The 2026 Cutlass looks like the 1970s muscle era and 2040 got into a bar fight and this car walked out winning. Sharp creases, a long hood, and a fastback roofline give it a stance that’s pure aggression.
- Massive 21-inch forged wheels stuffed into flared fenders
- Functional hood vents and an available carbon-fiber “power bulge” hood
Up front you get slim LED headlights framing a modern take on the classic split grille, complete with illuminated rocket badges that pulse when you hit the remote start. Out back, full-width OLED taillights spell out “OLDSMOBILE” when the brakes glow because why not?
Power That Honors the Rocket Legacy
Under that long hood sits GM’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter “Blackwing” V6 yes, the same LGY engine family from the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing but tuned to a ridiculous 670 horsepower and 650 lb-ft in the top-trim Cutlass “442-R.”
You get your choice of rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip diff for the purists or optional all-wheel drive that still lets you send 100% of power to the rear when you want to get sideways. An 8-speed automatic is standard, but a 6-speed manual is available on RWD models if you still believe in three pedals.
Inside Luxury Meets Race Car
Slide into the driver’s seat and you’re wrapped in real carbon fiber, Alcantara, and available massaging performance seats with Oldsmobile rocket logos stitched in the headrests. A 15-inch curved OLED driver display flows into a 12-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver no cheap tablet stuck on the dash here.
- 14-speaker AKG audio system with metal speaker grilles etched with the rocket logo
- Head-up display that shows lap times, g-load, and even a virtual drag strip Christmas tree
Rear seats actually fit real humans, and the trunk is big enough for a long weekend this is still a grand touring coupe at heart.
Track-Ready Straight from the Factory
GM didn’t mess around with the chassis. The Alpha-2 platform gets magnetic ride control, Brembo brakes with 6-piston fronts, and an electronic limited-slip diff that can preload before you even finish turning the wheel.
Launch control, drift mode, and a full data logger come standard on 442-R models. Zero-to-60 happens in under 3.5 seconds, and the quarter-mile is gone in the low 11s on pump gas.
Why This Is the Comeback We Needed
The 2026 Oldsmobile Cutlass isn’t just another corporate resurrection cash-grab. It’s proof that GM still knows how to build a car that makes your heart race the second you hear the exhaust note. It takes everything we loved about the classic Cutlass attitude, style, and tire-smoking power and wraps it in technology that belongs in the future.
Conclusion
Oldsmobile died in 2004, but the 2026 Cutlass proves the rocket never really went out. With jaw-dropping looks, supercar levels of performance, and a name that still means something to anyone who grew up in the muscle car era, this is more than a comeback car it’s the new king of American performance coupes.
FAQs
How much will it cost?
Base models start around $68,000. The full-send 442-R with every option will push past $100,000.
Is there a convertible version?
Yes a drop-top Cutlass is already confirmed for late 2026.
Will there be a V8 option?
Rumors say a limited-run 6.2L supercharged LT4 model making over 800 hp is coming in 2027 as the “Hurst/Olds” edition.
Is Oldsmobile really coming back for good?
GM says yes the Cutlass is just the beginning. More models are already in the works.
The rocket is back, and this time it’s twin-turbocharged. Welcome to the new golden age of Oldsmobile.
