Saturn ION
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Saturn ION | |
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| Manufacturer: | General Motors |
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| Production: | 2003–2007 |
| Assembly: | Spring Hill, Tennessee |
| Predecessor: | Saturn S-Series |
| Successor: | Saturn Astra Saturn Corsa |
| Class: | Compact |
| Body style: | 4-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Platform: | FF Delta |
| Engine: | 2.2 L L61 I4 2.4 L LE5 I4 2.0 L LSJ supercharged I4 |
| Transmission: | 4-Speed Automatic 5-Speed Manual Overdrive |
| Wheelbase: | 103.2 in. |
| Length: | 184.5 in. (sedan) 185 in. (coupe) |
| Width: | 67.2 in. (sedan) 67.9 in. (coupe) |
| Height: | 57.4 in. (sedan) 56 in. (coupe) 55.6 in. (coupe) |
| Fuel capacity: | 13 gal. |
| Related: | Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet HHR Opel Astra Pontiac G5 |
| Similar: | Ford Focus Hyundai Elantra Nissan Sentra |
The Saturn ION is a compact car sold by General Motors' Saturn marque. It uses the GM Delta platform. The ION replaced the Saturn S-series in 2003. As of 2006, the ION is the longest compact car sold in North America.
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[edit] 2003
The 2003 ION came standard with a 140 hp (104 kW) DOHC Ecotec I4 engine. The ION's instrument panel is 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 AF33 5-speed automatic transmission are available. The 2003 and 2004 IONs were available with the VTi continuously variable transmission.
In 2004, Saturn introduced the high-performance Redline variant of the ION, featuring a 205 hp supercharged engine, and a stronger F35 5-speed transmission. Dyno testing would often show an excess of 205 hp at the front wheels in this setup. Stiffer springs with a lowered ride height, performance sway bars, revalved shock absorbers, Recaro racing seats, and a special ground effects package were also included. This model used a 2.0L version of General Motor's Ecotec engine, termed the 'LSJ', developed with GM's Performance Division and track tested at Germany's famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.
In 2006, the ION received an exterior facelift to give it more of a family resemblance to the 2007 Saturn Aura and Saturn Sky roadster. Under the hood, the long-rumored 170 hp 2.4 L I4 engine with variable valve timing became available for the ION3.
[edit] 2005
In 2005 the Aisin 5-speed automatic used in the sedans from 2003-04 and in the quad-coupes from mid 2004 on, along with the VTi trans used in the quad-coupes from 2003 to mid-2004 were both discontinued for various issues. Reliability being the main issue for the VTi and the Aisin had a common documented problem called shift-flare which also was somewhat common in the other manufacturers that used Aisin transmissions (i.e. Toyota, etc). The GM 4T45-E replaced both transmissions and is the only automatic option for 2005-on. While less technologically advanced than the previous offerings, it is a long term proven design.
Also in 2005 the 'hockey puck' style steering wheel was discontinued and the design used in the 2004 Redline model became standard on all models. In mid 2005 the seats in the base ION-1 model were upgraded with new fabrics and a height adjustment feature. 2005 also saw the introduction of "quiet steel" multilaminate technology for sound reduction. The front fascia of the sedan was upgraded as well with a much larger grill opening.
The ecu was switched from a speed density system to a mass air system. An acoustic engine cover was added to reduce engine noise.
[edit] 2007
The 2007 Saturn Ion's 2.2L Ecotec will have an increase in power from 140 hp (104 kW) to 145 hp (108 kW) at 5600 rpm and an increase in torque from 145 ft·lbf (197 Nm) to 150 ft·lbf (203 Nm) at 4200 rpm. The 2.4L Ecotec will have an increase in power from 170 hp (127 kW) to 175 hp (130 kW) at 6500 rpm and an increase in torque from 162 ft·lbf (219 Nm) to 164 ft·lbf (222 Nm) at 4800 rpm. The RECARO seats on the Redline will be replaced with black leather-appointed seats with passenger sensing system.
[edit] 2008
With the closing of the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant that produces the car in March 2007, the ION will be discontinued, and will be replaced by the European-built Saturn Astra, which is a rebadged Opel Astra. Another ION replacement will be the Saturn Corsa subcompact, which will likely be built in Mexico.
[edit] External links
- Saturn: ION Sedan
- Saturn: ION Quad Coupe
- Saturn ION Red Line Forums
- Saturn Redline + Cobalt SS
- Car and Driver Review
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