SPECIAL-EDITION SEDAN, RED LINE PERFORMANCE MODEL EXPAND APPEAL OF 2004 SATURN ION

For its first full model year of production, Saturn ION expands its appeal with a premium special-edition sedan and the ION Red Line quad coupe, a supercharged compact that will be part of Saturn's new performance series. In addition, the full lineup benefits from Saturn's philosophy of continuous improvement with a number of interior, exterior and performance enhancements.

New from the ground up, the ION sedan and quad coupe - so named because of its industry-first dual rear access doors - debuted in the 2003 model year as replacements for the pioneering S-Series. The new models were designed to compete head-on with the best cars in the segment, with a larger exterior, more interior room, new powertrain, enhanced ride and responsive, sporty handling.

"ION's high levels of sophistication, content, fun and functionality were designed to appeal to young customers," said Doug Parks, ION chief engineer. "The special-edition sedan and Red Line quad coupe help round out the ION portfolio by appealing to very targeted groups of young compact-car enthusiasts."

Interior upgrades
Interior changes for 2004 are designed to improve overall harmony among material, colors, grains and gloss. The interior now includes a monochromatic instrument panel (ebony on the quad coupe, either gray or tan on the sedan), including steering wheel, featuring "soft touch" paint on the center stack and upper grille surfaces. Revised radio and shifter bezel colors provide improved overall interior color coordination. All uplevel ION models feature new, more refined fabrics. Front armrests have been added to midlevel models for improved front-seat occupant comfort.

Two new radios, including new faceplates, help make the journey even more fun. A CD with MP3 player replaces the CD/cassette, while a six-CD changer with MP3 updates the CD changer/cassette. Both new systems provide improved equalization and overall sound quality. The Saturn Advanced Audio System, consisting of six premium speakers and a 160-watt amplifier, also has been further refined to improve its sound quality.

XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only) is available with either of the new radios. XM provides 100 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original music, news, sports and talk. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month - less than the cost of a single CD. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.

One of the innovative aspects of the ION is its center-mounted cluster. The center-mounted cluster is on the same horizontal sight line as the side-view mirrors. This design also allows the driver to set the steering wheel in the most comfortable position without needing to adjust it in order to see the instruments. Early feedback from Saturn ION owners has given high marks to the innovative design.

The interior cabin is quieter with the addition of sound-deadening material forward of the instrument panel.

Exterior features
The ION is easy to personalize with unique personal accent accessories, consisting of interchangeable exterior roof rails and interior trim bezels. The roof rails run from the vehicle's cowl, across the top of the doors, to the bottom of the rear window. For 2004, standard roof rails will be body colored on the sedan, as well as the quad coupe. However, Silver Nickel roof rails are available on the quad coupe, while a sedan customer can choose Silver Nickel or Charcoal Grey roof rails.

The quad coupe's dual rear-access doors - combined with a front-passenger fold-flat seat and the lack of a B-pillar - help a customer fully utilize the interior space by making it easy to load and unload passengers and cargo, including larger objects that typically wouldn't fit in a traditional compact car.

New exterior colors for 2004 include Electric Lime (replacing Orange) on the quad coupe, Storm Grey (in place of Silver Blue) and Berry Red (replacing Cranberry) on the sedan.

Responsive performance
Both the ION sedan and quad coupe feature responsive performance and sporty handling. The ION has one of the first North American applications of variable-ratio electric power steering, which allows customized steering assist for different tire/wheel combinations and suspension levels. For 2004, the electric power steering calibration has been adjusted for improved on-center feel at highway speeds.

The Ecotec 2.2L inline four-cylinder engine is standard in both the sedan and quad coupe. This aluminum, 16-valve, DOHC engine generates more standard horsepower (140 hp/104 kw) than primary competitors and strong low-end torque performance. It provides excellent performance in a wide range of driving conditions, including a sporty launch feel and strong passing.

Standard on the sedan and quad coupe is a five-speed manual transmission that delivers world-class smoothness and durability. The transmission includes five synchronized forward gears and a synchronized reverse gear - rare in small cars - allowing the ION to shift into reverse without grinding if the driver shifts before the car is fully stopped.

GM Powertrain's VTi variable transmission is offered as an option on all quad coupes. The VTi, a continuously variable transmission, allows the engine to operate more efficiently than a traditional step-gear automatic because it provides an infinite number of gear ratios over a wide overall ratio range. The result is efficient fuel economy, while providing excellent launch performance along with smooth and responsive power delivery. For 2004, new software calibrations provide improved grade logic, helping to improve driving performance on hilly terrain.

Sedans are available with an optional five-speed automatic transmission, a feature typically found only in premium vehicles. Compared to conventional automatics, the five-speed provides closer steps between ratios for quick acceleration when needed, particularly during passing. New software calibrations for 2004 help optimize gear selection for improved transmission smoothness.

Safety and security
The ION sedan and quad coupe are designed to carry on the Saturn tradition of being at the top of the class when it comes to safety and security. The world-class structural design provides the foundation for this focus on safety. The steel spaceframe's front and rear crush zones help absorb the energy of a crash while protecting the integrity of the safety cage.

Dual-stage driver and passenger air bags are standard, and Saturn's segment-exclusive head curtain side air-bag system - providing protection to both front and rear occupants - is optional. Unique in the small-car segment, the ION's head curtain bags help provide protection to the head and neck in certain side-impact collisions.

The ION sedan and quad coupe offer an optional anti-lock braking system (ABS) and, unlike almost all small-car entries, they also offer traction control across all models except the Red Line.

Also unlike major competitors, the ION sedan and quad coupe offer a factory-installed anti-theft system with remote keyless entry, standard on uplevel models and optional on midlevel cars. An engine immobilizer - which prevents car theft by shutting off fuel to the engine if the correct ignition key isn't used - is standard on every ION.

Special-edition sedan
Dressed in black paint, the special-edition ION sedan brings a premium presence to the compact segment. Other exterior touches are Ultra-Bright machined 16-inch alloy wheels with unique center cap and lug nuts, and a chrome exhaust tip with rear fascia cutout.

The interior theme is a two-tone neutral and ebony. Leather trim is standard, and seats are perforated leather with ebony accents. The limited-edition sedan also comes with the Travel Package (automatic-dimming mirror, compass, outside temperature gauge and map lights) and special floor-mat embroidery.

Red Line
Entering production in the first quarter of 2004, the ION Red Line quad coupe will be the second in Saturn's new series of performance vehicles, following the VUE Red Line sport utility. Inspired by the "tuner" cars popularized in Southern California, ION Red Line - a powerful entry with 205 hp (153 kw) - was developed with assistance from the GM Performance Division.

Highlights of the ION Red Line include:

• 2.0L supercharged and intercooled version of the Ecotec four-cylinder engine
• Heavy-duty Getrag five-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter
• Beefier drive axle and equal-length drive shafts
• High-flow, performance-tuned exhaust system
• Four-wheel disc brakes (with standard ABS)
• Racetrack-bred suspension tuning, including revised springs, shocks, bushings and stabilizer bars
• 17-inch, five-spoke forged alloy wheels
• Continental 215/45-series performance tires
• 10-mm lowered ride height
• Unique front and rear fascias, rocker moldings and a family of available rear wings
• Performance front seats

In addition to outstanding performance, the ION Red Line incorporates many technological firsts for Saturn, including the supercharger and a water-to-air intercooler. The ION Red Line is a comprehensive package that recasts the entire car in a performance mold, and fits with Saturn's strategy to grow the brand by appealing to a more diverse audience.