2004 Saturn ION Red Line

The Red Line version of Saturn's practical Ion coupe is attempting to crack the "fast-and-furious'' youth-oriented small car high-performance market dominated by Japanese cars with aftermarket go-fast parts.

The Red Line coupe was developed by General Motor's Performance Division. That's an in-house center that explores potential enthusiast-oriented versions of production models -- as do Ford's SVT division, Chrysler Group's Performance Vehicle Operations and BMW's "M'' division.

The Red Line is a much hotter performer than the standard $14,735-$17,135 Ion coupe, which has a 2.2-liter, 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The $20,385 Red Line coupe has a modified 2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 205 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque with its supercharger and intercooler, which lowers the temperature of air entering the engine and thus enhances the power-boosting supercharger's effectiveness. The Red Line does 0-60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.

The modified engine also also has special oil-cooled pistons, stronger crankshaft and upgraded cooling system. GM knows the car will be driven hard by most owners and that heavy duty components will hold down warranty costs.

The Red Line's only direct American rival is the $20,450 Dodge Neon SRT-4 sedan (Aug. 1 AutoTimes), which has a turbocharged 230-horsepower four-cylinder engine and beefed-up chassis.

Both are front-drive subcompacts -- as are the mostly Japanese autos modified by young drivers in the fast-and-furious California crowd portrayed in the "Fast and Furious'' movies. Such drivers are trend-setters, coveted by mainstream automakers.

"The Red Line coupe went on sale last May and gives GM a presence in the 'fast-and-furious' market,'' said Saturn spokesman Brian Brockman. "GM has done most of the modifications given those small cars in that market with (often expensive) aftermarket parts. But it left some things alone because we know that crowd still will want to make changes to the Red Line coupe. They won't have to modify the engine to get more power, but may want special aftermarket parts.''

One such part may be a custom rear spoiler -- or "wing.'' The Red Line coupe's standard spoiler can be deleted at no-cost if its buyer wants an aftermarket spoiler. However, a wilder GM spoiler can be substituted.

While docile, the Red Line coupe has major suspension and brake modifications that allow it to be comfortable on a race track and lower its ride height. Cosmetic changes also gave this model a racier look than the standard Ion coupe's.

The special Ion is practical because standard Ion and Red Line coupes have dual rear-hinged doors with concealed handles that allow easier entry to the rear. However, the doors don't open or close independently of front doors and call for a long reach for seated rear occupants to close.

The Red Line coupe has the dent-resistant and rust-proof plastic body panels of the regular "quad coupe,'' although it also has the same oddly located, vision-challenging center dashboard gauges, with the tachometer far to the right.

The Red Line is the most expensive Ion -- the next highest-priced model is the well-equipped $17,135 Ion "3'' coupe with a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. The four-passenger Red Line has most of the comfort and convenience features of the Ion 3 coupe, including air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player and power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry.

Inside the Red Line are special Recaro front bucket seats, which provide generous side support when zipping through curves. There's also a sport steering wheel and gearshift knob.

Cargo room is good for a subcompact car and is enhanced by split-folding rear seatbacks and a fold-forward front passenger seat to accommodate extra-long items. Interior surfaces and switches have been improved, but still have an economy-car look and feel.

The Red Line is a serious driver's car, so it only comes with a slick five-speed manual transmission with a higher torque capacity and a short-throw shifter. It works with a high-capacity clutch.

The Red Line was partly developed at the Nurburgring race track in Germany, so its other special items include larger all-disc anti-lock brakes, race-style suspension, power steering tuned for increased driver feedback, beefier drive axle, drive shafts that reduce torque steer and extra-wide 45-series high-performance tires on 17-inch five-spoke forged alloy wheels. (The regular Ion has 14-, 15- or 16-inch wheels and narrower tires.)

The Red Line's steering is quick, and handling is sharp. The firm suspension is compliant enough to provide a comfortable ride.

Styling modifications include a special front fascia with a large air inlet, unique rear fascia, rocker panel moldings that visually lower the car and a chromed exhaust tip.

The Red Line coupe is a high-performance bargain, as is the Neon SRT-4. Both are "inexpensive and tons of fun,'' Road & Track magazine said in a comparison test of the two cars in its September issue.

The Ion Red Line has the performance and pricing to give modified Japanese small cars a real run for the money. Who would have thought that Saturn would ever offer such a car?

2004 SATURN ION RED LINE COUPE

PRICES
$20,385

LIKES
Fast for the money. Sharp handling. Beefed-up parts. Hidden rear doors. Special Recaro seats.

DISLIKES
No automatic transmission. Economy car interior look. Vision-challenging center gauges.