Forceful new engines enhance the 2006 fleet of coupes, sedans and wagons arrayed beneath the Saturn label of General Motors. Cars in Saturn's Class of 2006 include the compact-class Ion Quad Coupe and Ion Sedan, a compact SUV badged as the Vue and a crossover sport van called Relay. Also, Saturn's Red Line returns with special performance issues of the four-door Ion Quad Coupe and a slammed and sporty Vue.

Saturn's compact cars, conformed as a shapely four-door sedan or four-door Quad Coupe, come in two trims for 2006 tagged as Ion 2 and Ion 3, with the Ion 1 sedan deleted. GM's 2.2-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine motivates these models with 140 hp through a manual five-speed transmission or optional four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic. For Ion 3, an optional Enhanced Performance Package nets a new 2.4-liter Ecotec four-pack with variable valve timing (VVT) that bumps output up to 170 hp.

In the cockpit all Ion trims carry a revamped console between front buckets, with seats clad in fresh fabrics. New body colors also apply, like Cypress Green and Golden Cashmere. Ion Quad Coupe has two extra doors set behind the front doors. Hinged at the rear, each back door swings wide and permits easier access to rear seats.

This special performance issue of the four-door Ion Quad Coupe features a performance-tuned suspension, unique wheels and add-on body parts with aerodynamic accents. A supercharger and inter-cooler attaches to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to push it out to 205 hp. Also, the plant uses a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter stick.

A performance-tuned exhaust system, the suspension tweaked and dropped 10 mm, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes (ABS) plus 17-inch forged alloy wheels and sporty Recaro racer-style bucket seats -- all of these additions forge a tuner-style sport compact model. Projector-beam foglamps are now the standard, as a new Red Line Competition Package puts a Quaife limited-slip differential in the gearbox and a boost gauge with programmable ladder-type tachometer on the top of the steering column.

Restyled front and rear fascias mark 2006 models of Saturn's compact-class SUV, while inside the cabin seats are new with trim accents added in wood and chrome. Vue's layout shows two rows of seats plus a rear cargo bay. The wagon offers the Ecotec 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine or a powerful V6 option. The dual-cam four achieves 143 hp, while the 3.5-liter V6 runs to 250 hp.

Entry point occurs with Vue in front-wheel-drive (FWD) format toting the four-cylinder engine and a manual five-speed Getrag transmission or optional four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic. Next comes Vue with the V6 and a five-speed automatic for either FWD or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. A new standard for Vue is OnStar safety and telecommunication equipment, while optional gear for 2006 lists a DVD entertainment system with AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 player plus auxiliary jack for iPOD use. (CONTINUE..)