2005 Saturn ION Quad Coupe Red Line Road Test

What makes it so good? In addition to its steering response, due to due to equal-length half shafts there's an almost complete eradication of dreaded torque steer. What's torque steer? It's that tug on the

The Red Line ION is powered by a 205-hp supercharged and air-to-water intercooled Ecotec 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

steering wheel front-wheel drive cars experience when applying power. Considering the 205 horsepower at 5,600 rpm available from the Red Line's Eaton helical Roots supercharged and air-to-water intercooled Ecotec 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, incidentally producing a maximum boost level of 5.44 kg (12 pounds), and almost equal levels of torque at 200 lb-ft coming on strong at 4,400 rpm, such is an impressive engineering feat. It makes using the power especially enjoyable, by leaving the front wheels alone to do what they were intended to do, steer the car.

The engine is wonderfully flexible too. Power comes on lower in the rev range than most 4-cylinders, remains strong through the somewhat abbreviated 6,450 rpm redline, all the time sporting a healthy yet sophisticated exhaust note - the result of a high-flow, performance-tuned system with a 57 mm (2.25 inch) pipe. What's more, response to the accelerator pedal is immediate due to electronic throttle control (ETC), the same type of non-cable system as used in top-tier premium brands

Response to the accelerator pedal is immediate due to electronic throttle control, the same type of non-cable system as used in top-tier premium brands like BMW. Additionally, the Red Line coupe sports a healthy yet sophisticated exhaust note, the result of a high-flow, performance-tuned system with a 57 mm (2.25 inch) pipe. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

like BMW. The setup of all three pedals is close to ideal as well, optimized for heal-toe "race-style" actuation.

In case you happen to have prior knowledge of GM's standard Ecotec engine, you might have noticed the Red Line's displacement hasn't been raised for the more powerful derivative but ironically lowered by 200 cc. The new powerplant shares the base engine's general architecture, which has proven to be sound, and enhanced it with a high-strength steel crankshaft, oil-cooled lower-compression pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves and additional components needed to withstand the strain a blower adds. Also, the GM Performance team developed a high-flow air intake and exhaust manifold for freer breathing. The car's cooling system was improved too, with a larger radiator core and bigger cooling fans. The result is pure, unadulterated mechanical adrenalin, designed to put that childlike nervous giggle back into your life.