![]() With a lot more show and go than other Ions, that’s a fair deal for this planet-teer. What more could you ask for out of this cal-custom Saturn? How about a decent asking price of $20,950. Also, don’t forget the Ion Coupe’s rear seat access doors that make this a true double-dater. It’s a sportier cockpit with black interior accents, new steering wheel and bolstered Recaro sport seats to name just a few. Inside, the standard Ion’s center-mounted instrument pod is complemented by Red Line perks. An aggressive front fascia gives way to new rocker panels that sweep up the rear to a huge wing. A slight, consistent level of understeer makes for a balanced, capable and fun ride.īut another big part of this Ion’s kick and glam are the Red Line’s slammed sporty looks. Pushed hard this coupe performs like a star athlete. With 20% faster steering, runs through our slalom proved impressive. And, with its 5-spoke 17-inch forged alloy wheels with meatier 45 series performance tires, this little coupe is track ready. The Ion Red Line also dons a lowered, stiffer track-tuned suspension featuring new springs, shocks, bushings and stabilizer bars. And though our drivers felt gear ratios could be closer spaced, it delivered some of the most precise shifts ever from GM. Power jumps to the ground through a serious Getrag 5-speed gearbox, shared with both Saab and Opel. That’s good for a snarling 0 to 60 time of 6.3 seconds and a quarter mile run of 15 seconds at 96 miles per hour. It pumps put 205 horsepower and 200 pound feet of torque. It starts with a supercharged version of GM’s 2.0 liter Ecotec 4-cylinder engine. All in all the 2004 VUE Red Line is slick, head-turning and a definite standout from other compact-utes.Īlso running rings around Saturn is their new Ion Red Line, a real factory contender for the subcompact tuner craze. That’s $24,975 for the front drive VUE Red Line, and $26,625 with all-wheel drive. Only $1,995 more than a run-of-the-mill Saturn VUE V-6. A quieter interior, leather-wrapped three spoke wheel and shifter, back-lit instrument panel with white gauge faces and chrome rings, and two new CD radios with MP3 playback of course.Īnd the Red Line package is a bargain. Inside, the Red Line has the same upgrades as all V-6 VUES. And ride is still quite comfortable regardless of the surface. There is plenty of body roll, too, but it’s balanced by the larger tire foot print, and the whole affair is very stable. The Red Line’s electric steering with sport calibration is heavy and tends to fight back. The Red Line’s lowered and stiffened suspension, with performance struts and springs, is a definite improvement over the standard VUE. And though it does tend to fade at higher rpms, we found it very responsive for a sport-utility. ![]() With it and the required 5-speed automatic transmission, our all-wheel drive Red Line hit 60 in 7.8 seconds, with the quarter mile ending in 16.2 seconds at 87 miles-per-hour. That’s a jump of nearly 70 horses over last year’s GM 3.0-liter engine. It’s the Pilot and Odyssey’s single-cam 3.5-liter V6, uprated to 250 horsepower and 242 pound feet of torque. To bulk up on power, Saturn turned to Honda to supply the VUE’s new V-6 engine. Lower the suspension an inch, and then throw on 245/50 series touring tires on 6-spoke 18-inch wheels, and finally splash on one of its standard monochromatic paint selections of Onyx Black, Silver Nickel or Electric Lime, and you’re ready to party. ![]() The sides add new rockers, while at the rear a deep skirt, chrome exhaust tip, and Red Line badging make for an unmistakably sporty distinction. The lowered front fascia wears a customized grill and brake cooling slots. It starts with a sleek and aggressive body kit. The Red Line Package is available on front and all-wheel drive VUE V6’s. And what better way than with sharp-edged style and velocity? However, with the new Red Line version, Saturn hopes to reach further into space to target the youth-galaxy. Introduced in 2002, the VUE has already proved to be an impressive offering in the small sport-ute class, selling nearly 180,000 units to a wide range of demographics. Given the success of the standard-issue Saturns in attracting new converts to General Motors, the beefed-up 2004 Saturn VUE Red Line and ION Red Line Quad Coupe look like real opportunities for this brand to stretch its sales over the top. So let’s put the VUE Red Line and this Ion Red Line to the test, and see if high performance with high style are enough to drive Saturn sales to the red line. So to try and grab a slice of that market, always unconventional Saturn has tuned-up its youngest offerings to produce the Red Line series. Tricked-out small cars and trucks are all the rage with young buyers. ![]()
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