GM decides that Saturn Ion needs a recharge for 2005

Sluggish sales and disappointing reviews of the Saturn Ion have forced GM's hand in an extensive mid-generation redesign. Among the changes planned for 2k5: swapping the constantly-shifting 5-speed automatic for a less busy 4-speed, losing the pint-sized steering wheel, replacing the seats with ones that actually hold the driver and passengers in place, adding fancier interior "touch points", and of course, restyling the exterior. Many of the alterations are being shuttled over to the Ion directly from the Chevrolet Cobalt, which like the Ion is built on GM's Delta small-car platform.