Saturn Ion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| Saturn Ion | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Saturn Corporation |
| Parent company | General Motors |
| Production | 2003–2007 |
| Assembly | Spring Hill, Tennessee |
| Predecessor | Saturn S-Series |
| Successor | Saturn Astra |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 4-door quad coupe |
| 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, 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.
Contents |
[edit] 2003-2004
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 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.
In 2004, Saturn introduced the high-performance Red Line variant of the Ion, featuring a 205 hp (153 kW) supercharged engine, and a stronger F35 5-speed manual transmission. 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 Motors' Ecotec engine, termed the 'LSJ', developed with GM's Performance Division and track tested at Germany's famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. Also available for 2004 in limited production was a "Special Edition" model. It was basically a Saturn Ion 3 Sedan with upgrades such as two-tone leather interior, ultra-bright machined face wheels with unique lug nuts and center cap. Also included was a Chrome-tipped exhaust pipe, embroidered floor mats, and an automatic dimming rear-view mirror with compass and temperature display. It was offered in 3 different colors: Black Onyx, Chili Pepper Red, and Electric Blue. The Special Edition Sedan was marketed to bring a premium presence to the sedan, and appeal to more people.
For 2004, Saturn also re-calibrated the electric power steering, as well as upgrading Interior Materials, and offering new sound systems.
[edit] 2005-2006
In 2005 the Aisin 5-speed automatic, along with the VTi CVT used in the quad-coupes from 2003 to mid-2004 were both discontinued for various issues, with reliability being the main issue for the VTi; the Aisin had a common documented[citation needed] problem called shift-flare, which also was somewhat common[citation needed]in other manufacturers that used Aisin transmissions (i.e. Toyota, etc). GM's 4-speed 4T45-E replaced both transmissions and is the only automatic transmission available. 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 Red Line model became standard on all models. In mid-2005, the seats in the base Ion1 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 grille 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.
In 2006, the long-rumored 170 hp (127 kW) 2.4 L I4 engine with variable valve timing became available for the Ion3. This engine produces 170 hp (127 kW) and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) torque.
[edit] 2007
The 2007 Saturn Ion's 2.2 L Ecotec engine had 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 2.4 L Ecotec had 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 2007 Ion 3 Quad Coupe came with an available Appearance Package that included front and rear sport bumpers, side moldings, elliptical fog lamps, and a chromed exhaust tip.
The Recaro seats on the Red Line were replaced with black leather-appointed seats with passenger sensing system.
[edit] 2008
|
|
This section does not cite any references or sources. (May 2008) Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Originally, the Ion was supposed to be redesigned for 2008. There were even pictures of the 2008 Ion floating around the internet. But, instead, GM discontinued the Ion in March 2007, and it was replaced by the European-built Saturn Astra hatchback, which is a rebadged Opel Astra.
[edit] External links
- Saturn: Ion Sedan
- Saturn: Ion Quad Coupe
- C&G Spy Shots: Ion replaced by Astra
- GM Powertrain information
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Compact | S-Series | S-Series | Ion | Astra | ||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | L-Series | Aura | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Vue | Vue | ||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Relay | |||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Sky | |||||||||||||||||||
