Saturn Ion

Saturn Ion

Manufacturer	Saturn Corporation (2003-05) General Motors (2006-07)
Production	2003–2007
Assembly	Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States
Predecessor	Saturn S-Series
Successor	Saturn Astra
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 4-door quad coupé
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM Delta platform
Engine(s)	2.2 L L61 I4 2.4 L LE5 I4 2.0 L LSJ supercharged I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed Getrag F23 manual 5-speed Getrag F35 manual 4-speed 4T45-E automatic 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic VTi CVT
Wheelbase	103.2 in (2621 mm)
Length	184.5 in (4686 mm) (sedan) 185.0 in (4699 mm) (coupe)
Width	67.2 in (1707 mm) (sedan) 67.9 in (1725 mm) (coupe)
Height	57.4 in (1458 mm) (sedan) 56.0 in (1422 mm) (coupe) 55.6 in (1412 mm) (Red Line coupe)
Fuel capacity	13 US gallons (49.2 L; 10.8 imp gal)
Related	Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet HHR Opel Astra Pontiac G5

The Saturn Ion was a compact car sold by the Saturn marque of American automaker General Motors between the 2003 and 2007 model years. It used the GM Delta platform. The Ion replaced the Saturn S-Series in 2003,^[1] and was replaced by the new Saturn Astra in 2008. As of 2006, the Ion was the longest compact car sold in North America. Production of the Ion ended on March 27, 2007.

History

2003-2004

The 2003 Ion came standard with a 140 hp (104 kW) DOHC Ecotec I4 engine. The Ion's instrument panel was mounted on the top center of the dashboard, rather than behind the steering wheel. The Ion is available in sedan and coupe forms; the coupe is called a "quad coupe" due to the two smaller rear-opening "suicide doors" behind the front doors.

A Getrag F23 5-speed manual or an Aisin AF23 5-speed automatic transmission were available. The compact 5-speed automatic had several unique characteristics. The transmission lacked an overdrive, allowing for five forward gears to be packaged in the size of a typical four-speed manual gearbox, both providing close gear ratios for better acceleration and fuel efficiency while eliminating the heat and parasitic loss generated by the additional planetary gearset. The unit was also “fill-for-life”, meaning that it was not intended to be serviced for the life of the vehicle. The 2003 and 2004 Ions were available with the VTi continuously variable transmission.

For 2004, Saturn also re-calibrated the electric power steering, as well as upgrading Interior Materials, and offering new sound systems.

2005-2006

2005 Saturn Ion

2006 Saturn Ion 2 showing differences from 2005

In 2005, the Aisin 5-speed automatic transmission was discontinued due to a problematic trait known as shift-flare, which also occurred in other manufacturers' cars using Aisin transmissions, such as Toyota.^[2] The VTi CVT used in the quad-coupes between 2003 and 2004 was also discontinued, for reliability reasons. GM's 4-speed 4T45-E replaced both transmissions, becoming the only available automatic transmission option. The 2005 models also received a new steering wheel, the same one used in the 2004 Red Line model. In the middle of the 2005 model year, the seats in the base Ion1 model received upgraded fabrics and a height adjustment feature. "Quiet Steel" multilaminate sound-reduction technology was also introduced in 2005. Cosmetic changes included an upgraded fascia with a larger grille opening and redesigned wheel covers and redesigned alloy wheel offerings. Under the hood, an acoustic engine cover was added to the engine bay to reduce noise emissions.

The 2006 model year saw only minor cosmetic changes. The Level 2 and Level 3 models were offered with GM's new standard radio, featuring MP3 playback.

2006 also saw the 170 hp (127 kW), 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) torque, 2.4 L I4 engine with variable valve timing became available for the Ion3. Along with that, the Ion 1 was also discontinued for 2006.^[3]

2007

2007 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe

The 2.2-liter Ecotec engine in the 2007 Saturn Ion was improved over the previous year's model: power output increased from 140 hp (104 kW) to 145 hp (108 kW) at 5600 rpm, and torque output increased from 145 ft·lbf (197 Nm) to 150 ft·lbf (203 Nm) at 4200 rpm. The new engine was fitted with the ECU from the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2.4-liter Ecotec received a similar upgrade: power increased from 170 hp (127 kW) to 175 hp (130 kW) at 6500 rpm, and torque increased from 162 ft·lbf (219 Nm) to 164 ft·lbf (222 Nm) at 4800 rpm.

An "Appearance Package" was offered for the 2007 Ion 3 Quad Coupe, including redesigned front and rear bumpers, side moldings, elliptical fog lamps, and a chrome exhaust tip. The Recaro seats in the Red Line version were replaced with black leather-appointed seats, which featured a passenger-sensing system.

The Ion was discontinued in March 2007, and replaced in Saturn's lineup by the European-built Saturn Astra hatchback, a rebadged Opel Astra.^[4]

Redline Edition

Saturn Ion RedLine

In production from 2004 through the 2007 Model Year, Saturn produced the Redline Factory-tuner variant of the Ion. Developed in coordination with the GM Performance Division and track tested at Germany's famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Ion Redline featured a 2.0L LSJ Ecotec 205 hp (153 kW) engine with an Eaton M62 Roots type supercharger and an air-to-liquid intercooler. Also included was a stronger F35 5-speed manual transmission, pulled from GM Europe.^[5][6] This engine/powertrain combination is also shared with the Chevy Cobalt SS. However, the Cobalt SS didn't start production until the 2005 model year. While faster than the Cobalt SS, the Ion Redline has a one-up over its sister-car with its rear suicide doors.^[7]

The Ion Redline is probably the most overlooked of all the GM High-Performance cars. Reason being that most people don't often equate Saturn with High-Performance vehicles. Not only did the Redline claim a 0-60 mph time of only 6.0 seconds, it also claimed a 1/4 mile time of 14.6 seconds. GM Performance retuned the Spring and bushing rates, and reduced the ride height by about 10mm. To accompany all that, GM Performance added larger 4-wheel disc brakes - complete with 17-inch forged alloy wheels and Dunlop Sport SP9000 215/45 tires, thicker performance sway bars, revalved shock absorbers, and Recaro racing seats. The larger disc brakes made the Redline capable of shedding 70 mph in only 164 ft., Porsche territory. Also included was a 2.25 inch exhaust system with a Chrome-tip pipe that allowed for greater "snarl" from the tailpipe and OnStar. The Ion Redline was introduced with a base price of $20,950.^[8][9]

Introduced for the 2005 model year was the optional Competition Package. Included in the Competition Package were 17" Gunmetal Painted Alloy Rims, Ladder Tachometer w/ shift lights, a Limited Slip Differential, and Optional Projector-beam Fog Lamps.^[10] In mid-2006, GM released 2 Engine Kit upgrades for both the Ion Redline and the Cobalt SS. The Stage 1 Kit retails for around $500, and included higher-flow fuel injectors and a recalibration to the ECU to increase the Horsepower by 31 hp to 236 hp and 205 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the stock 205 hp and 200 lb.-ft. The Stage 2 Kit retails for around $750 and opens up the middle of the power curve to more power than the Stage 1 Kit alone. In addition to everything that the Stage 1 Kit comes with, the Stage 2 Kit includes a smaller drive belt and pulley for the supercharger, bringing the engine up to 241 hp and 218 lb.-ft. of torque. GM did release a Stage 1 to Stage 2 Upgrade kit that retails for $400. This Upgrade Kit is for a Redline with the Stage 1 kit already installed. All the Upgrade Kit does, is adds the Stage 2 elements and increases the horsepower from 236 hp to 241 hp.^[11]

On October 17, 2003 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the Saturn Ion Redline, piloted by the GM Performance Division's "Saturn Land Speed Record Project" set a new land-speed record in the "G/Blown Fuel Altered" Class at 212.684 mph. This completely eclipsed the previous record holder of 183.086 mph that was set in 2001 by a Honda Civic.^[12]

Below are the Production Numbers for the Ion Redline from 2004-2007.^[13]

Safety

The Saturn Ion fared poorly in IIHS crash tests. In the frontal offset collision the 2005 Ion received an overall Acceptable score. In the side impact test all models even those with side airbags received a Poor overall score.^[14]

However, during the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration's crash tests, the Ion received overall better scores. Below is a chart detailing the star ratings for each particular model year and section.^[15][16]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Saturn ION

• C&G Spy Shots: Ion replaced by Astra
• GM Powertrain information
• Saturn Ion Redline Forums
• Saturn ION Quad Coupe 2.2i Specifications & pictures