I thought it was pretty interesting. Of course the SRT-4 outpowered the Ion, but Road and Track was simply gushing about the Ion Redline's suspension. They found it's handling to be far superior to the SRT-4.

The Ion Redline, BTW, was the first car that GM took to Nurbugring for suspension tuning. It looks like it was time well spent.

 

Yes, I started to read it and was very happy with the results. Even being down on power, the Ion RL's suspension really held its own.
I hope the Cobalt SS improves on it more. I would also like GM to re-tune the 2.0 motor for more rev. Seems to be the biggest problem is running out of powerband.

 

Isn't that where they tuned the CTS?

 

Absolutely! Years before the ION Redline was even thought of.

 

Sport Compact Car, which is presumably the target audience, came off as only mildly impressed with the Ion Redline, save the seats (which they loved):
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/ro...ine/index.html

 

GM has tuned many of its performance cars there as of late and has built its own version of some of the more challenging sections to do testing here.

 

To tell the truth, I read that article a few weeks ago. In the end, they still liked the srt4 much better. I think the lap time was a full second better with the srt4. And thats on the terrible stock tires. They said the redline out handled the srt4 but its a new platform! It should be expected to do so. The truth is though that simple things can be done to the SRT4 to make it handle much better (it's no slouch to begin with!). I think the enjoyment factor is still not there for the redline. I admit, I do kind of like its looks and have yet to drive one. I have however driven an SRT4. I was not disappointed with its handleing at all. On the other hand, I was very impressed with how quick it got to 100mph and how easy it was to squeak the tires at a light. No matter how childish I know it is, I just can resist doing that.

 

You haven't driven one, but claim that you think the enjoyment factor is not there? Well, I have driven one, and I found it to be very damn fun (except the redline/fuel shutoff should be about 500 rpm higher). I haven't driven an SRT-4, so I can't comment. But my impression with the regular Ion is that the delta platform is quite rigid and sturdy, and my impression of the Redline version was one of excellent handling. I figured the SRT-4 would be quicker (it has more power), but I also figured that the RL would handle better. I think they are both good cars, and the Cobalt SS is going to be even better. In terms of looks, my ranking is Cobalt SS > RL > SRT-4, especially in the interior (where the Cobalt dominates).

Has C&D compared these two yet? In the past, they would always pick the Mazda Protoge 3 (for example) in big comparos because they loved the ride and handling and connectedness to the car, even if it was among the slowest of the competitors. It would be nice to see some consistency if they test these two. Because the RL is a little slower, but I have a feeling the chassis it more buttoned down (based on what I've read - like I said, never driven an SRT-4). I personally loved the RL's shifter, seats, the brake feel, and the interior upgrades (but the Cobalt still has it beat from an interior styling standpoint). Best part was the engine. Not as powerful as the turbo 2.4, but very smooth and refined, very powerful, and you could hear enough of the blower to know something was going on down there.

 

I am not saying its a bad car. I am not really a sport compact guy at all. To me the srt4 has a feeling close to that of a fwd camaro. I am not saying I would drive one or that its the greatest car ever. I am one of the few people that actually like the regular Ion. The driving experiance is so so and the dash is irritating but the rest of the package makes a decent commuter car. I know a lot of people disagree but I even like the Ions exterior styling.

 

Fact: GM knew where the bar was (230hp, underrated).
Fact: GM knowingly jumped UNDER it.

That's a failure in my book.

 

To be honest, I could care less about the Redline.

I don't like the doors, I don't like the styling, and I absolutlely dislike the interior (especially the dash! I think the SRT-4 is a more aggressive package, and though it's a sedan, I'd actually buy one way before I'd even consider the Ion Redline.

BUT... when anyone sees an SRT-4 vs Colbalt SS comparison and posts info on it, you have my full attention!!!

 

I'm looking forward to how the Cobalt SS compares to the SRT-4 also.

Actually, from the sound of it.....if the Ion RL had a limited slip, as the SRT-4 has....and alittle more power, it would have been much closer. The RL has a very agressive rev limiter/fuel cutoff, I believe the Cobalt will have a higher rev limiter (where alot of the SC Ecotec's power is hiding).

One surprising thing, R&T liked the SRT-4 seats better than the RL's Recaro seats.

 

I think the SRT-4 had a 2 second advantage per lap. Whatever ground the RL's chassis would gain going around corners....the SRT-4 would gain more on the straight away.

 

ss sounds nicer than srt-4.

 

Been cruising the archives, huh?