![]() ![]() Saturn has been asking its parent company, General Motors for more - and more amazing - models since it was established, and GM has finally produced the first sister of the Pontiac Solstice.The Red Line, Now available at Saturn retailers, builds on the Sky's established performance character, offering even more power and sportier driving experience combined with a fearless design and driver-focused interior. Only 5000 Ion Red Lines will be sold in 2004, wearing black, blue or silver paint on revised bodies sporting new fascias, aggressive rocker panels and, of course, the requisite rear wing.If an aggressive two-seat convertible does not fit within your perception of Saturn, you have figured out why the company created the Saturn Sky Red Line. Starting with a pedestrian little coupe, GM's Performance Division, using many of the company's own parts, has crafted a car that would be a kick to autocross or bring to a track for a lapping event. Niggles aside, the new Saturn Ion Red Line impresses. It's a responsive and fun chassis, although it would be more enjoyable if the Red Line had a limited-slip differential to fix its propensity to power-on understeer when exiting corners. When the limit is exceeded, it's usually benign understeer, a problem quickly fixed by a lift of throttle to bring the nose back in line. In this situation, the Ion Red Line hangs on well when it's tossed into the turn, thanks to its good balance, its inch-lower ride height and large 215/45ZR-17 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 tires. rear discs (replacing the standard Ion's rear drums) are on call, controlled by a reassuringly firm pedal that's just what you need when slowing the car from triple-digit speeds for the 90-degree first corner. Based on my dozen or so laps of the infield road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, I'd say the mission has been accomplished. One goal of the Performance Division was to make the Red Line Ion capable on a racetrack, with brakes that don't fade after a few laps of hard driving. Spring and damping rates, as well as the bushings and anti-roll bars, have all been considerably firmed, and the rear axle is a heavy-duty unit taken from GM's upcoming Delta platform, on stiffened trailing arms. No modifications were needed to the unit-body chassis, but the Red Line suspension has been thoroughly tweaked. What's more, heavy-duty wheel bearings cope with the added power, as do 5-lug hubs. Although its linkage is a bit clunky, the gearbox delivers power to the wheels via equal-length halfshafts that minimize torque steer. Measured by GM's clock, the Red Line Ion hits 60 mph in a scant 6.3 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.8, and achieves a top speed of 144 mph.īorrowing more from GM's global parts bin, Saturn also employs close-ratio 5-speed manual transaxle in the Red Line. At peak boost, the transverse powerplant puts out 205 bhp at 5600 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. And at $20,000, it's a heck of a bargain, a 205-bhp coupe that benefits from a sporty chassis and great brakes tuned and developed at the Nürburgring.Īlthough GM calls it an Ecotec, the Red Line's 2.0-liter engine is actually based on the aluminum long-block of the, a twincam inline-4 with oil-cooled pistons and sodium-filled valves to help it cope with 12 psi of intercooled boost, courtesy of a large Eaton Roots-type blower normally used on GM's supercharged 3800 V-6. That's right, the Red Line has that kind of wheel-spinning power, and all it takes is one stint in this new front-driver to learn that GM's Performance Division has built a car that deserves a spot on the performance podium right between the and the Dodge SRT-4. ![]() A word to the wise, though: You might steer clear of the new Red Line Ion, because this car makes even the best of kids suddenly feel the urge to put down a pair of black stripes on the pavement just outside the study hall. As new cars go, it's affordable and fuel efficient, plus it's hip, what with its center-mounted instruments, unconventional rear doors and optional XM satellite radio. ![]() The big M-B was inexpensive, well-built, slow and safe, largely because it was constructed like a tank.įor different reasons, entry-level Ion also shines as off-to-college transport. When my niece Lizzy headed off to college, her dad gave her a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300D for all the right reasons. ![]()
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