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.

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.

For locomotion, 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.

For Vue the Red Line means a special package of equipment with the V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission for either FWD or AWD traction. Vue Red Line also gets the suspension dropped by an inch, which adds to the image of a slammed and modified vehicle but also reduces roll-over risk. Front struts and shocks are tuned for tighter control, and the electric power rack and pinion steering mechanism is recalibrated for a better on-center feel from the wheel.

The smooth exterior package on Vue Red Line brings the look of a custom car in a monochromatic theme with unique prow styling and ground effects added, plus painted aluminum 18-inch wheels capped by Bridgestone Turanza all-season touring tires.

New enhancements inside Red Line Vue range from leather seats with suede fabric inserts to a unique faceplate for the instrument cluster and metallic foot pedals.

Sky, Saturn's sporty two-seat roadster, goes into production this fall. Showing smooth sheetmetal draped over a long and low structure with 18-inch wheels and tires, Sky looks racy fast but downright expensive, yet the price tag is projected to cut under $25,000.

A convertible top tucks into the rear compartment and leaves only smooth lines on the deck. Sky's powertrain will be GM's 2.4-liter, four-cylinder EcoTec engine rated for 170 hp. A stubby-stick, five-speed manual transmission by Aisin is standard, but a five-speed automatic will also be available.

The boxy exterior package of Saturn's Relay looks like an SUV, yet the stretched wheelbase supports a generous passenger compartment with three tiers of seats for seven plus a flat floor arrangement to handle a load of cargo. Designers at GM describe Relay as a crossover sport van that varies from a conventional minivan due to that extended prow and flat cabin floor.

For power, the FWD Relay draws from GM's 3.5-liter V6 rated at 201 hp with a four-speed automatic transaxle. And later in the 2006 model-year the Relay 3 FWD gains an optional new 3.9-liter V6 engine with VVT that generates 235 hp.

Anti-lock brakes are standard on Relay, with GM's Versatrak AWD traction system on the list of options. Two trim levels work as Relay 2 and upscale Relay 3.