Stock #85532
 

CB's Die Cast Review:  November 29, 2002

 
Saturn© ION™ Quad Coupe

Mattel has produced its first Hot Wheels model of a Saturn car.

The ION Quad Coupe was unveiled at the New York Auto Show at the Javitz Center this year, and will be available the first quarter of 2003.  According to information on Saturn’s website, the model is a key element in General Motors’ entry-level strategy to attract young buyers by providing a selection of vehicles with high value and fresh designs.  They are replacing the pioneering S-Series of vehicles in the lineup. The Quad Coupe is so named due to the pair of rear-access doors, or RADs.  The dual RADs represent an industry first, resulting in a new, more functional small car.

The Hot Wheels model of the ION Quad Coupe appears to be an accurate representation of the new Saturn vehicle.  The diecast body is well detailed and has strong relief all around, with clear definition lines, door handles and body accents.  The body is painted medium blue metallic, with the roof pillars and side trim nicely masked in flat black enamel.  The headlights and fog lights are masked in silver enamel, while the taillights are masked in gloss red enamel.  Three-color Saturn emblems are neatly tamped and registered on the nose of the hood and on either front fender behind the wheel well.  The Saturn name is tamped on the rear bumper in black.

The chassis is black plastic and is well detailed also.  The interior is light gray plastic, and features moderate detail in the seating area and light detail on the fold-up dashboard section.  The steering wheel is solid with no detail.  The clear plastic glass fits flush into the body with no gapping anywhere.  The car rides on the IROC five-spoke thin-tire wheels, which is the current wheel style closest to what will be on the real car. The model is manufactured in Malaysia.

Saturn commissioned Mattel to produce a model of the ION Quad Coupe in order to help promote the debut of the new vehicle.  The Hot Wheels car currently is available at the parts department of Saturn dealerships throughout the United States, and is packaged on a special card that features a photograph of the full sized ION.  This is a new casting, but it will not be included in the First Editions series.  Eventually, it will appear in the basic line, although the time frame is unknown.  In the meantime, if you want a nicely detailed Hot Wheels model of a contemporary car, head over to your Saturn dealer to get these while they still are available.