2004 Saturn Ion Red Line and Vue Red Line Test Drive
General Motors Performance Division was following up the Cadillac V-Series with Saturn’s Red Line models. Designed to “appeal to the intender who wants a little more performance with his product,” according to Division Chief Jill Lajdziak, the Red line performance series was looking for younger, and more male buyers.
First to get the treatment were the Ion Red Line (access door) coupe and Vue sport/utility. The Ion, squarely aimed at the sport compact market, got an intercooled, supercharged 2.0-liter version of GM’s Ecotec I-4, pushing 12 psi of boost and rated at 205 horsepower. The Red Line package featured suspension and brake upgrades, Recaro buckets, body modifications, including rear wing and electric power steering tuned for better feedback, and competed with the Focus SVT, Neon SRT-4, and Civic Si. Speaking of Honda, a 3.5-liter/250-horse Honda V-6 made up the power part of the Vue Red Line package, but it was the same engine that powered all V-6 Vues. Exclusive Red Line features were performance suspension, which lowered the SUV’s ride height about an inch and P245/50 bridgestone Turanzas on six-spoke aluminum wheels. Body mods included bigger front air intakes in black with a stainless-steel grille, new reaar fascia with a three-inch chrome exhaust tip, and monochrome exterior with “ground effects.”
Speaking of Honda, a 3.5-liter/250-horse Honda V-6 made up the power part of the Vue Red Line package, but it was the same engine that powered all V-6 Vues. Exclusive Red Line features were performance suspension, which lowered the SUV’s ride height about an inch and P245/50 bridgestone Turanzas on six-spoke aluminum wheels. Body mods included bigger front air intakes in black with a stainless-steel grille, new reaar fascia with a three-inch chrome exhaust tip, and monochrome exterior with “ground effects.”
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