Redline is Saturn’s performance division. Redline doesn’t have near the history or credibility that AMG or BMW’s M division, but they are busy making Saturns better.
The Saturn Ion Redline was made from 2004-2007. It featured a 205hp and 200lb-ft torque supercharged power plant. There are other little hot hatches that have similar horsepower numbers but can’t match the strong torque of the supercharged engine. The Ion Redline hits 60 seconds in 6.1 seconds.
The numbers aren’t bad, the styling is ok. The interior features a boost gauge and Recaro seats and comes with a manual transmission, the way sports cars gears were meant to be changed. Unfortunately, the Ion Red Line is front-wheel drive, which it means it front wheels have to do all the work of steering and putting the down to the pavement.
On paper it looks like Saturn has produced an average sporty compact car. On the surface there are a number of cars like this or even better than it on the market. Cars like the VW GTI, the Honda Civic Si, and the Nissan Sentra SE-R. However, the Ion Red Line is fantasticly fun drive.
This car is worth the test drive. I’ve had the opportunity to run this car around a short autocross course and it really impressed me with how fun this car is to drive. You could feel every single one of the 205hp and the strong torque curve of the little eco-tech engine.
The Saturn Ion Red Line is one of those cars that deserves a test drive. You can find slightly used examples on Autotrader.com with about 30k miles on them for less than $15,000.
If you see a little Ion sitting in a used car lot with a “Red Line” on it. Take it for a spin, it is a fun car.
The subtle silver square with a Red Line is your clue to find Saturn’s sporty side. And if the Red Line seems familiar it is GM cousin to the Chevy Cobalt SS.
1 response so far ↓
1 Kevin // Sep 21, 2008 at 10:42 am
The unfortunate fact about the Ion is that it suffers from a case of “the uglies”, and a decidedly unattractive interior, Recaro seats not withstanding. The RedLine group may have made the Ion fun to drive, but it’s a little bit like the overused phrase about putting lipstick on a pig (or running shoes, in this case). The car may be faster, but it’s still offensive to look at.