 
Particle Blaster
2004 Saturn Ion Quad Coupe
Red Line
By Keith Burton – GCN
When GM’s Saturn division introduced their new sleek
Ion coupe in 2003, the company provided news that a performance version
would be coming in early 2004. And sure enough, their promise was a good
one.
We had a chance to put our journalistic seat into a
couple of 2004 Ion Red Line coupes at GM’s road test center in Milford,
Michigan and on regular roads nearby, and let’s say right off that this is
a performance car.
Red Line is Saturn’s high performance line of
vehicles. Those include a Red Line version of the Saturn Vue SUV, and now
the Ion. But it is in the Ion that Red Line comes onto its own. Here are
the quick facts:
-
2.0L
supercharged and intercooled version of the Ecotec four-cylinder engine
with 205 horsepower.

- Heavy-duty Getrag five-speed
manual transmission with short-throw shifter
- Beefier drive axle and
equal-length drive shafts
- High-flow, performance-tuned
exhaust system
- Four-wheel disc brakes (with
standard ABS)
- Racetrack-bred suspension
tuning, including revised springs, shocks, bushings and stabilizer bars
- 17-inch, five-spoke forged
alloy wheels
- Continental 215/45-series
performance tires
- 10-mm lowered ride height
- Unique front and rear
fascias, rocker moldings and a family of available rear wings
- Recaro brand performance
front seats
The Ion Red Line is
General Motor’s answer to the popularity of California’s street racer
scene where fast, small sedans and coupes are all the rage. The “Fast and
Furious” crowd.
But here we have a factory
hot rod with all the good that represents, such as durability, safety, and
a factory warranty.
Saturn
chose the Red Line name as an expression of performance shown by a
tachometer at “red line.” But here, the performance begins far earlier
with the powerful supercharged engine. Power and torque are available far
below this car’s red line.
The Merriam-Webster
dictionary defines Ion as a charged subatomic particle, but the
word’s Greek origin just means “to go.” And go it does.
You can expect 0-60 speeds
to be in the mid to low 6’s with plenty of power on tap all the way to red
line. This engine loves to rev and it is very easy to hit the speed
limiter.
This same engine, and much
of the chassis setup, will also be found in the upcoming Chevrolet Cobalt
SS Supercharged. But the Saturn has something else going for it, the Quad
Cab doors, which allow easy entry into the back seats. And you still get a
sporty coupe look.
On
the GM’s test track, a winding course of sharp turns and some high speed
sections, the Saturn Ion Red Line surprised us with amazingly balanced
performance. The car is a terrific handler, especially for a front-driver.
Steering surprises too as the system is electric and not hydraulic.
Saturn’s engineers tell us
that they spent an enormous amount of time dialing in the right feedback
into this new steering system. Their work paid off. It was both quick, and
offered none of the artificial feel that has been associated with
electrically assisted steering in some of GM’s other vehicles.
The suspension deserves
mention as well. The car can be driven hard into a corner without the
typical understeer, or pushing, common with front wheel drive cars. It
will eventually push, but the limits are way out there. We even managed to
get the car's tail out with the right amount of braking and steering.
Driving this car is fun.
We were also surprised at
its ability to handle rough surfaces. Most high performance cars sacrifice
ride for handling. But not in the Saturn Ion Red Line. The suspension is
sharply damped, but is not at all harsh. It is in the vein of European
sports cars in this regard. Very impressive.
Inside, the Ion is
remarkably
roomy for a sporty coupe.
A big plus with the Red Line version is you get terrific Recaro
seats as standard. Not only are the seats extremely comfortable, but they hold
you in place when you want to go play on your favorite twisty road.
Also, the extra rear
doors, which open opposite of the front doors, make entry and exit a snap
for passengers. The back seats also have plenty of headroom for adults.
We do have some quibbles
about the interior. The car needs a proper footrest to brace the drivers,
a pretty big oversight considering how good this car handles.
We would also like to see
the center air conditioning vents moved as the one closest to the driver
will refrigerate
your right hand.
Some folks might also be
put off by the Ion’s center instrument cluster. But it is really easy to
see and after a few miles behind the road, you will get used to it.
Visiting your nearby
Saturn dealer may not be your first thought to find a hot performing
coupe, but this car would make a good choice. The Ion Red Line is well
packaged, has numerous features, and is designed to endure races on the
weekends and drive to work on Monday.
And how much for all of
this performance? Saturn says the MSRP for the mostly loaded Ion Red Line
is just $20,950, which in our book is quite a bargain for this level of
performance.
Saturn has also addressed numerous fit and finish
issues in this new car. It is quieter, it has more sound proofing, and the
fit in its plastic exterior panels is improved. In fact, we noted no
squeaks, rattles or unusual noises throughout our drive.
Saturn
is getting serous about their vehicles and you can expect more models,
including a true 2-seat sports car coming in 2006.
But for a great handling fast car that is truly hard
to beat for the money, the Ion Quad Coupe Red Line is a winner.
Specifications |
Model: |
Saturn ION Quad Coupe Red
Line |
Body style /
driveline: |
4-passenger,
front-engine, front-wheel-drive coupe with dual rear-access doors
|
Construction: |
steel spaceframe with
full-length frame rails and steel safety cage; galvanized steel hood,
roof and deck lid; polymer door, fender, quarter panels and fascias |
EPA vehicle class:
|
compact car |
Manufacturing location: |
Spring Hill, Tennessee |
Key
competitors: |
Red Line:
Honda Civic Si, Ford Focus SVT, Nissan Sentra SE-R, Dodge Neon SRT-4 |
Engine |
Ecotec 2.0L
SC (LSJ) |
Type: |
2.0L supercharged/intercooled
inline 4-cylinder |
Application: |
Red Line |
Displacement
(cu in / cc): |
122 / 1998 |
Bore & stroke (in / mm): |
3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 |
Block material:
|
cast aluminum with cast
iron cylinder liners |
Cylinder head
material: |
cast aluminum |
Valvetrain: |
chain-driven dual overhead
camshafts with roller followers, 4 valves per cylinder, dual rotating
balance shafts
Ignition system: coil-on-plug coil-on-plug |
Fuel delivery: |
sequential fuel injection |
Compression
ratio: |
9.5:1 |
Horsepower (hp
/ kw @ rpm): |
205 / 153 @
5600 |
Torque (lb-ft /
Nm @ rpm): |
200 / 271 @
4400 |
Recommended
fuel: |
91 octane
unleaded |
Maximum engine
speed (rpm): |
6450 fuel
cutoff |
Emissions
controls: |
3-way catalyst
(Tier 2 LEV 2 Bin 8) |
Dimensions |
Exterior
|
Red Line |
Wheelbase (in /
mm): |
103.5 / 2629 |
Overall length
(in / mm): |
185 / 4699 |
Overall width (in / mm): |
67.9 / 1725 |
Overall height (in / mm): |
55.8 / 1418 |
Track (in /
mm): |
front: 58.8 / 1494
|
rear: 58.4 / 1483 |
Curb weight (lb / kg): |
2590 / 1338
(EPA est.) |
|
 |