For 2006, the Ion, Saturn’s only car offering, undergoes several changes. The most notable is that a new optional Enhanced Performance Package is available, including a 2.4-litre four-cylinder with variable valve timing, sport-tuned suspension, traction control and ABS.
Other changes include standard OnStar dual-mode hardware; a standard airbag Passenger Sensing System (except on Red Line); a redesigned centre console and centre stack; a new family of radios with auxiliary input jack for portable audio players; new machined five-spoke alloy wheels on the Ion 3; “refreshed” 17-inch alloy wheels on the Red Line; and a combined OnStar and satellite radio antenna. On the outside, Cypress Green replaces Dragonfly Green, Golden Cashmere replaces Golden Wheat, and new Fusion Orange and Laser Blue have been added.
The Ion comes as a four-door sedan or quad coupe (with two rear-hinged back doors). Trim choices are Ion 1, Ion 2, Ion 3 and Red Line.
The Ion uses a 2.2-litre inline four-cylinder; the Ion 3 can be optioned up to the new 2.4-litre. Both engines come with a five-speed manual transmission that can be optioned up to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic (the continuously variable transmission, or CVT, that famously made its debut in the Saturn was eliminated in 2004). The Red Line, available only as a quad coupe, uses a supercharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder and five-speed manual exclusively.
The Red Line package also includes exclusive tuner-style front and rear fascias and rocker moldings, projector-beam foglamps, heavy-duty equal-length half shafts, high-flow performance exhaust, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, revised springs, shocks, bushings and stabilizer bars, performance tires, a 10 mm lowered ride height and leather-trimmed Recaro sport front seats. Available options include a rear wing and a Red Line Competition Package, with limited-slip differential, 17-inch forged wheels with gunmetal finish, boost gauge and programmable ladder tachometer. Estimates give the Ion Red Line a zero to 100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
The new centre console and stack provide more knee and leg clearance, along with additional storage above the radio. Standard or available features on the Ion line include 15-inch wheels, floor mats, 60/40 folding rear seat, CD with MP3 capability, air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, power locks, windows and mirrors, automatic headlamps and cruise control.
Although it’s getting a bit long in the tooth, the Saturn Ion still represents a good deal for the price tag, with swoopy styling (that looks even better on the quad coupe), good performance and Saturn’s famous dent-resistant polymer body panels. The Red Line leads the pack with 205 hp, tight handling and tuner-inspired styling for under $24,000.
On the down side, the quad coupe’s rear seat is still very tight and claustrophobic. If you’re the type who runs a lot of errands for the children in the back seat, be aware that the front doors have to be opened each time before the back doors can be swung out. And on all models, that centrally-mounted instrument cluster is still just plain wrong.
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