http://www.modernracer.com/history/s...pehistory.html
I found this article really useful in giving more information on the redline.
Affirming its intention to create expressive performance-tuned vehicles, Saturn announced the production version of the ION Red Line at the International Auto Salon.
"The 2004 ION Red Line will introduce Saturn to sport compact enthusiasts," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn vice president for sales, service and marketing. "We have pulled no punches with the ION Red Line. Itâs a serious performance vehicle."
Production of the ION Red Line is scheduled to begin in early 2004.
"Performance-tuned vehicles are an important component of Saturnâs expanding portfolio," said Lajdziak. "Saturn vehicles inspire fun while driving. And while the ION Red Line delivers a unique driving experience, it does so in different ways."
"The supercharger provides instant response and a dramatic feeling of performance when youâre behind the wheel," said Doug Parks, ION chief engineer. "But the Red Line is not simply an ION with more power. From its visual features, such as the aggressive wheels, to components you canât see, like the equal-length drive shafts, which are used to limit torque steer, itâs a comprehensive package developed to recast the entire car in a performance mold."
In addition to outstanding performance, ION Red Line incorporates many technological firsts for Saturn, including the supercharger, an air-to-water intercooler and the use of electronic throttle control (ETC). ETC utilizes an electronic signal, rather than a traditional cable between the gas pedal and engine, for immediate throttle response.
"ION Red Line is a street car that is also at home on the racetrack," said Parks. "Customers have told us that ride-and-handling is their favorite attribute of ION; with the Red Line weâve built on that strength."
Inspired by the "tuner" cars popularized in Southern California, ION Red Line was developed with assistance from the GM Performance Division, an in-house center designed to explore potential enthusiast-oriented versions of production models.
"The ION Red Line was designed for enthusiasts seeking a ready performance vehicle," said John Heinricy, GM Performance Division director. "The base ION was systematically enhanced to deliver uncompromising performance, function and style â traits that will make it extremely competitive in the sport compact market."
An Eaton helical Roots supercharger was selected because of the immediacy of its horsepower delivery and its relative ease of implementation. Engineers also added an air-to-water intercooler to reduce the temperature of air entering the engine. This cooler air enhances the effectiveness of the supercharger. In the Red Line, the supercharger and intercooler system produces a maximum boost level of 12 pounds.
"The supercharger provides instant power," said Tracy Thueme, ION Red Line program engineering manager. "Coupling the supercharger with an air-to-water intercooler was a simple, effective way to build even more horsepower."
Engineers did not simply add a supercharger and intercooler to the existing ION 2.2L Ecotec engine. The Red Line engine is a special 2.0L Ecotec engine, built with lower-compression pistons and other components necessary to handle the unique requirements of a supercharged application. A high-flow air intake and a high-flow exhaust manifold are tuned to move air quickly through the engine. Along with the new engine, the vehicleâs cooling system is upgraded with a larger radiator core and larger cooling fans.
When it came to exhaust, engineers maintained the "move air quickly" ideal with a 2.25-inch exhaust system that incorporates a low restriction catalytic converter and low restriction muffler. The system lowers backpressure from the engine, enhancing the performance of the supercharged engine and giving the ION Red Line a distinct note from its large, chromed exhaust tip.
The five-speed manual transmission is new to the Red Line and has a higher torque capacity to withstand the increase in output from the engine. Its gear ratios were selected specifically for this application. The gears are spaced in even increments to keep the engine in its "sweet spot" between shifts. A short-throw shifter quickens the shifts and provides a more positive feel, too. The shifterâs travel is approximately 1 inch shorter than the shifter found in standard ION models.
Another heavy-duty item is the Red Lineâs driveline, which has a higher torque capacity than a standard ION driveline. Equal length half shafts are utilized to limit the tendency of torque steer in this powerful, front-drive application. A final drive ratio of 4.05:1 was selected to complement the supercharged engineâs power.
ION Red Line is the first ION to feature four-wheel disc brakes. The front disc rotors measure 11.6 inches in diameter, which is approximately 1 inch larger than the rotors on standard ION models. Along with the larger rotors, engineers incorporated larger, five-bolt wheel hubs, brake calipers and brake pads. The larger calipers and brake pads allow greater braking capacity and are proven performance parts found in other high-performance GM vehicles.
The rear disc brake rotors measure 10.6 inches in diameter. They are mounted on an all-new rear axle assembly that incorporates revised suspension geometry.
Suspension tuning is being refined on the racetrack, including spring rates, bushing rates and stabilizer bar size. The rear shocks are larger in diameter than those found on a standard ION, and the Red Line has a 10-mm reduced ride height.
Connecting the Red Line to the road is a set of Continental 215/45 W-rated performance tires mounted to 17 x 7 inch, six-spoke forged alloy wheels. Forged alloy wheels are stronger than cast alloy wheels that are typically found on production vehicles.
Additionally, IONâs electric power steering efforts have been tuned for the Red Line to provide increased driver feedback.
The Red Lineâs expressive exterior styling complements the performance built into the vehicle. All-new front and rear fascias were designed by GM Performance Divisionâs Kip Wasenko. The front fascia features a large, deep air inlet and the rear fascia has a cut-out for the large, chromed exhaust tip. Along with revised rocker moldings, the enhanced bodywork of the Red Line visually lowers the vehicle 1 inch.
ION Red Line comes standard with a rear spoiler, but a family of large, stylish rear wings is available. Also, a mesh-screen grille is available to further accent the vehicle. Red Line badging is located on the deck lid.
At the onset of production, ION Red Lineâs exterior colors will be Black, Blue or Silver.
All Red Line vehicles come with a black interior. Standard performance seats complement the sporting environment and enhance driver control. A new sport steering wheel and gearshift knob also are part of the interior package.
"When developing the ION Red Line, we built in all of the elements that are important to compact performance enthusiasts," said Thueme. "Itâs a comprehensive package which functions as well as it looks."
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