If you've driven through rural Quebec then you have truly experienced the Western world's worst road surfaces, no exaggeration. Why would a car company choose

Thanks to its well tuned suspension, the ION Red Line was the epitome of grace under pressure. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

to "impress" a group of picky, jaded automotive journalists in an area that could easily destroy their car's respective suspension systems, wheels and low-profile performance tires, and along with it any chance of a positive review? Obviously because they feel confident in what they've built, knowing that if a person can drive these roads at high-speed the car will manage the comparatively smooth roads of Ontario, Alberta or BC, or anywhere else in Canada for that matter, with ease.

Quebec's infrastructure doldrums aside, the ION Red Line was the epitome of grace under pressure. Its suspension, a sophisticated setup made up of independent front struts and a semi-independent torsion beam in the rear, plus an all-new, heavy-duty rear axle designed specifically for mounting the new rear disc brakes - more on these in a second - incorporates performance-tuned spring rates and damping, beefier shocks and bushings, plus larger diameter stabilizer bars, all combined with a reduction in ride height by 10 mm. The setup is further enhanced by standard 17-inch 5-spoke forged alloy rims riding on Dunlop P215/45R-17 Sport SP9000 performance tires - especially chosen for ION Red Line application.

The ION Red Line absorbed the worst of what the abhorrently crude Quebec roads could throw at it. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

Saturn states its ION Red Line has "racetrack-bred" tuning, a claim that is legitimized by the choice of Germany's legendary Nürburgring - a seriously challenging circuit that is said to be a good choice for developing a car with real world capabilities - for suspension tuning.

The results speak for themselves. While staying true to the line that its front wheels are pointed, the overly harsh roads of Quebec didn't upset the car's balance one iota. I can't say the same for other cars I've tested on these roads previously, even the revered Porsche Boxster S. A suspension system needs to allow a little give in order to maintain contact with the tarmac over the rough stuff, with rigid setups loosing grip and therefore speed. The ION Red Line, on the other hand, absorbed the bumps well, rarely finding itself airborne and therefore achieving uncanny stability.