The Eagle Talon is a two-door 2+2, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) hatchback coupé manufactured and marketed from 1989 until 1998 and sold by Eagle along with rebadged variants the Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse.
The last year for the Eagle Talon—as well as the Eagle division of Chrysler—was 1998.
Characteristics
The Talon, Laser and Eclipse were badge variants using the Chrysler D platform, manufactured at the DSM (Diamond Star Motors joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi) manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois. All three vehicles were mechanically identical (when comparing the same option level) including engine, transmission, and drivetrain.
Cosmetically, differences between the three were found in wheels, availability of colors, taillights, front and rear bumpers, and spoilers. The Talon featured two-tone body color with a black 'greenhouse' (roof, pillars, door-mounted mirrors) regardless of the body color. The variants featured 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions and a hood bulge on the left-hand side of the car for camshaft clearance when equipped with the 4G63 engine. The base model DL did not use this engine, but still had a bulge in the hood. All second-generation cars had such a bulge, even when fitted with the 420A engine which did not require the additional clearance.
First generation (1990–94)
The first-generation Talon was released in mid-1989 as a 1990 model and continued through 1994. This era of DSM vehicles is referred to as the first-generation, or "1G" for short. However, there were two 1G styles. The "1GA" models of 1990–1991 featured pop-up headlights and a "6-bolt" engine, while the "1GB" model of 1992–1994 featured composite style headlights with integrated turn signals and a "7-bolt" engine.
The 1993–1994 base model DL was front-wheel drive and included a 1.8 L engine (4G37). The ES model (or just the base Talon before 1993) included a naturally aspirated 2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63 engine. The TSi and TSi AWD models used the same engine but added an intercooled Mitsubishi 14b turbocharger producing 11.06 psi of peak boost from the factory, resulting in on TSi AWD models. The front-drive TSi model was rated at due to a more restrictive exhaust system, and the automatic transmission versions were rated at due to a 13g turbo.
All 1G Talons built after April 1992 received a freer revving "7-bolt" engine shared with the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution featuring lighter rods and a 7-bolt crankshaft.
1G trim levels
base – 1990–1992
TSi FWD Turbo – 1990–1994
TSi AWD Turbo – 1990–1994
DL – 1993–1994
ES – 1993–1994
Production numbers
1990: 32,708
1991: 33,537
1992: 27,945
1993: 26,740
1994: 24,040
Awards
The Eagle Talon TSi AWD was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1992. Talon models also shared the "10 Best" designation with the other Mitsubishi versions from 1989 through 1992.
Second generation (1995–98)
The second-generation (or "2G") Eagle Talon was introduced in 1995 simultaneously with its Mitsubishi Eclipse counterpart, while the Plymouth Laser version was discontinued. Mechanically, the new Talon and Eclipse models were almost identical with the engines in the turbocharged versions with an increase in output due to a redesigned intake and exhaust, higher 8.5:1 (vs. 7.8:1) compression pistons, and new turbocharger. The new T25 turbocharger, sourced from Garrett, had a boost increase to of peak boost and was smaller than the previous Mitsubishi built 14b turbo that was on 1G models. The T25 spooled up faster than the previous turbocharger to increase the turbo response or reduce turbo lag. The other change concerned the suspension. While the 1G had MacPherson struts in the front, the 2G had double-wishbone in the front and multilink suspension in the rear. The double-wishbone suspension improved the roll-camber curve in the front for better handling.
