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The premise: If you're getting ready to buy a new car, here are ten up-and-comers that we feel are worth delaying an impending purchase. This is not just another new-next-year list - these are cars we feel will have a serious impact on the automotive marketplace.

Saturn brings in the successor to the S-series coupe and sedan series and names it after an electrical charge, hoping to generate some electricity of its own in the small car segment.

Once again, Saturn is trying to be a different kind of car company. The 2003 Ion sedan will replace the automaker's high-volume nameplate, the S series. The Ion has scored well in customer clinics on things such as fit and finish, ride, exterior styling and roominess.

Though sales of the Saturn Ion are slow enough to shut down production of its assembly line in Spring Hill for two weeks starting Monday, people who follow the company think the car will catch on with consumers soon.

The Ion is on target. It also offers an impressive package for the money - a list price of $16,475 in the case of our test vehicle, an automatic sedan. The car's 2.2-liter Ecotech engine puts out 140 horsepower, which is better than the competition, and a five-speed automatic is excellent in a class where four-speeds are the norm.

Good overview and history of Saturn, and the all-new 2003 ION.

Antilock brakes will be standard equipment on two new models, the Saturn Ion and the Hummer H2.

GM's Saturn division set the starting price for its new Ion small car at $11,995 to compete with models from Honda, Toyota, and Ford.

Saturn, known for innovative touches, has injected some stylish and sporty options in its new small car, renamed Ion instead of the more generic S Series, in an effort to attract younger buyers.

After what some critics called a painfully slow start, Saturn's all-new ION is finally getting traction in the marketplace.

AdWeek reports that Saturn's new ION commercials will take viewers on a "trip through time."

Later this month Saturn will reportedly start building ION sedans with optional body-color roof rails.

Saturn's pair of 2003 Ions unveiled Wednesday, March 27, at the New York International Auto Show are intended to compete in North America with the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Saturn said pricing would be competitive with the Corolla and Civic, in the $15,000 range.

The Ion sedan and coupe are meant to appeal to the youth market with their range of customizing accessories--such as interchangeable interior faceplates and exterior appliques--that will be available when the cars go on sale later this year.

Get ready for a growing automotive consumer trend that may take some getting used to --gauges that are mounted in the center of the instrument panel instead of directly above the steering wheel.