Upgrade Kit adds the Stage 2 elements and increases the horsepower from to . On October 17, 2003 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the Saturn Ion Red Line, piloted by the GM Performance Division's "Saturn Land Speed Record Project" set a new land-speed record in the "G/Blown Fuel Altered" Class at 212.684 mph. This exceeded the previous record of 183.086 mph that was set in 2001. Below are the Production Numbers for the Ion Red Line from 2004 to 2007. Discontinuation General Motors decided to discontinue the Ion after the 2007 model year. It was replaced by the 2008 Astra. The Astra shares the Delta platform with the Ion, but is a captive import from Opel. While Opel offered the Astra in multiple body types, and with other performance options, Saturn did not import any of them – the Astra was only offered with a single base engine, and in 3-door and 5-door hatchback bodystyles only, in two trim levels. The Ion was the last Saturn to have brand-specific design cues originating with the S-Series such as plastic body panels. Safety Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) IIHS only tested the 4-door sedan version. It did not test coupe versions of the Ion. NHTSA Recall In February 2014, the Ion was added to a list of General Motors cars recalled due to a faulty ignition switch. 13 deaths were found to have been caused by the defect in Chevrolet Cobalt models, prompting the recall of the Ion and other related GM vehicles. References External links C&G Spy Shots: Ion replaced by Astra Saturn Ion Redline Forums Saturn ION Quad Coupe 2.2i Specifications & pictures Compact cars Front-wheel-drive vehicles Ion Vehicles with CVT transmission Coupés Sedans Cars introduced in 2002 Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States