![]() "They didn't just pull the car down from speed, but performed consistently, lap after lap." "The brakes simply were phenomenal," said Rick Kewley, Ion Red Line performance manager. The racetrack sessions also drove brake selection, which includes large, 11.6-inch vented front rotors and heavy-duty calipers, along with 10.6-inch rear discs. As a result, the Red Line's front struts were upgraded to respond better to higher lateral loads and the rear suspension's trailing link bushing was redesigned for a firmer response. The lateral inputs encountered at the different tracks were unique, loading the brakes, tires and suspension systems in ways not found at GM test facilities. Chassis tuning evolved continuously during development in the search for the prescribed neutral handling traits, as well as the balance between racetrack and road performance. Red Line prototypes spent weeks at various racetracks in the United States, as well as the Nurburgring - including more than 100 hard laps on the first outing with an early "mule" car. The process took engineers beyond the typical GM validation procedures, pushing the engineering team and prototype vehicles to extremes. "It's not merely a quicker, more precise-handling Ion model - it's like a new vehicle backed up with racetrack-proven credentials."Įarly in the Ion Red Line's development, it was determined that achieving class-leading performance would be attained most efficiently at the racetrack. "From the beginning the Red Line was designed to deliver superior all-around performance and have a feel all its own," said Thueme. Neutral handling also is one of Ion Red Line's characteristics - enabling the vehicle to produce lateral acceleration performance of approximately. Its 60-to-0 stopping distance is estimated at less than 120 feet and the vehicle has a top speed of more than 140 mph. The Ion Red Line will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.3 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in the 14-second range. Its large, 62-cubic-inch capacity makes it larger than the majority of OEM-based four-cylinder supercharger applications. The supercharger is an adapted version of the unit used on GM's supercharged 3800 V-6 engine. ![]() The 2.0-liter, supercharged version of the Red Line uses the same steel crankshaft, oil-cooled pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves and structural oil pan as some high-performance European variants. To ensure the Ion Red Line's performance capability, engineers leveraged technology proven in other GM performance vehicles, including the global Ecotec engine family. Recaro performance front seats that provide increased lateral support. ![]() Red Line-specific interior appointments, including four-spoke steering wheel and sport pedals (configured for performance driving).Seventeen-inch forged alloy wheels and Dunlop P215/45R-17 Sport SP9000 performance tires.Large, four-wheel disc brakes (with standard ABS).Racetrack-bred suspension tuning stiffer spring rates, front and rear larger stabilizer bar and firmer shock valving.Heavy-duty axle with equal-length half shafts.Five-speed transmission with increased torque capacity, close-ratio gearing and short-throw shifter.High-flow, performance-tuned exhaust and air induction systems.Supercharged and intercooled 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine producing 205 horsepower 5600 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm.The Ion Red Line was systematically enhanced to deliver uncompromising performance, function and style - traits that make extremely competitive in the sport-compact market." ![]() "The balance and refinement is remarkable. "This was built for the sport-compact driving enthusiast," said Tracy Thueme, Ion Red Line program engineering manager. The Ion Red Line goes on sale early in 2004. Complementing GM's standard validation process with these challenging conditions helped create an exciting street vehicle that also feels at home on a racetrack. Saturn and GM Performance Division tested at the Nurburgring, as well as demanding road courses in the United States, to fine-tune the Ion Red Line's handling, braking, and powertrain. To GM engineers, it was the perfect environment to develop the new 2004 Ion Red Line sports coupe. With more than 170 turns packed into nearly 13 miles, as well as an elevation change of more than 1,000 feet, Germany's Nurburgring is one of the world's most challenging road courses. Red Line Ion Earned its Cred at the Track [ Red Line Ion Earned its Cred at the Track
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