The souped-up Ion, which has a dent-resistant plastic body panels like all Saturns, is considerably more expensive than a conventional Ion. The Ion Red Line, which was developed by GM’s Performance Division, tops out at about $23,000 and can be ordered with several options, including a $360 rear spoiler, $325 XM satellite radio, and $395 side curtain air bags. The Ion Red Lines driven by the panel were priced from $21,790 to $22,400, including a $565 destination charge. The base Ion Red Line is priced at $20,950, including a $565 destination charge. Two of the panelists, Varady and Cadiz, had driven the SRT-4 and were able to work an informal comparison into their assessment of the Ion Red Line. The Ion Red Line faces tough competition in the market, from popular vehicles like the Ford Focus SVT, Dodge Neon SRT-4 and Nissan Sentra SE-R. A short part of the route took some of the panelists along a stretch of gravel road, too.īefore the test-drive started, Lori Queen, who’s in charge of small cars for GM, explained that the purpose of the Ion Red Line was to “get some youth and excitement back into Saturn.” The course consisted primarily of driving on two-lane roads and on the highway. The panelists were invited to test-drive the Ion Red Line last month on public roads near GM’s Proving Ground in Milford. Besides, it’s kind of expensive when a loaded one costs $23,000.” “I can’t see people taking the Ion Red Line seriously. “I’d rather have a (Volkswagen) GTI,” Cadiz said. The other unimpressed panelist, Jiyan Karlo Cadiz, a 21-year-old Michigan State University senior, described it as “gimmicky overall.” I would laugh if I saw an Ion peeling at the light.” “I would never in a million years think of Saturn as a muscle car. “It doesn’t fit Saturn’s image,” he said. Only two dissenters on the panel said they would not recommend the car to their friends.Īfter his turn behind the wheel, Steve Jenkins, a 26-year-old industrial designer from Detroit, concluded that “Saturn may be trying too hard to be something it’s not.” “The Ion Red Line is versatile - both a city cruiser and a race car.” “Saturn has built a true performance vehicle,” said James Childs, 29, a Clawson funeral director. This performance edition of the four-door Ion Quad Coupe is dolled up with leather-accented Recaro seats, stainless-steel exhaust and 17-inch forged alloy wheels. The Red Line brand name refers to a vehicle’s tachometer, which counts the number of engine revolutions per minute, and the line that marks the maximum speed at which the engine can safely be operated. The majority of our panel gave the Ion Red Line, which is on sale now, a thumbs-up rating. Varady was not alone in his assessment of Saturn’s little 205-horsepower hot rod. “I only now realize I just had that much fun in a Saturn!” “The seats are awesome, the supercharger is great, the tires are sticky and I love the sound of the engine,” said Varady, 17, a member of the Detroit News Consumer Youth Panel, who this fall will be a freshman at Chicago’s Loyola University. brand that’s long been a favorite of sensible people looking for affordable vehicles with no-dicker stickers. MILFORD - Steve Varady always thought of Saturn as a “brand aimed at moms.”īut after spending an evening behind the wheel of the 2004 Ion Red Line, Saturn’s first supercharged performance vehicle, the Dearborn resident has new respect for the General Motors Corp. Hot rod Saturn wins over brand skeptics on News panel
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