Adding to the experience is a fantastic, close ratio 5-speed manual with a short-throw shifter - reduced by about an inch (25.4 mm) - and increased torque capacity. A

The close ratio short-throw 5-speed manual is simply fantastic. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

fantastic manual in a domestic compact? Yes, it's that good. I'm not sure where GM sourced it, saying only that it is built internally, but nevertheless it feels more Saab 9-3-like than Chevy Cavalier - boding well for future sport versions of the upcoming Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit that will share the ION's general architecture. It slips into gear with greater precision than many of its competitors, such as the Dodge SRT-4 or Subaru WRX, and feels good in the palm of the hand.

In case you are concerned that Saturn didn't go all the way and integrate a 6-speed manual in its Red Line coupe, there's really no need. With the car's low curb weight

I raced through the wonderfully serpentine roads of Quebec's picturesque backcountry, at speeds I dare not admit to. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

and wide, flexible, ample torque curve, power is pretty well anywhere you need it. I raced through the wonderfully serpentine roads of Quebec's picturesque backcountry surrounding the townships of Sainte Adele and Mont Tremblant, at speeds I dare not admit to, rarely shifting out of third gear. Exiting tight corners the engine delivered plenty of pull to quickly ramp the coupe back up to straightway speeds.

Zero to 100 km/h is in the 7 second range (although Road & Track's March 2004 issue showed it achieving 6.3 seconds to 60 mph) while the car's official top speed wasn't announced. Just the same, it is expected to top out a fair bit shy of the land speed record breaking heavily-modified ION Red Line coupe's Bonneville Salt Flats velocity at 342.282 km/h (212.684 mph) in the G/Blown Fuel Altered sport compact class. The production model's actual top speed should be closer to Road & Track's findings at 232 km/h (144 mph).