| Eagle Talon | |
|---|---|
 1994 Eagle Talon GSi | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Diamond-Star Motors forChrysler Eagle Division (1990–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998) |
| Production | 1989–1998 |
| Model years | 1990–1998 |
| Assembly | United States:Normal, Illinois (Diamond-Star Motors) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sport compact car |
| Body style | 3-doorcoupehatchback |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive /all-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 4-speedautomatic |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Chrysler Sebring coupe Dodge Stratus coupe |
TheEagle Talon is asport compacthatchbackcoupé.[1][2] It was manufactured as part of ajoint venture betweenChrysler andMitsubishi in two generations starting from the 1989 model year.
The Talon was marketed byEagle.[3][4] Therebadged variants were thePlymouth Laser andMitsubishi Eclipse.
The last model year for the Eagle Talon, as well as the Eagle division ofChrysler, was 1998.[5][self-published source?]
The Talon,Laser, andEclipse were badge variants using theChrysler D platform, manufactured at the DSM (Diamond Star Motorsjoint venture betweenChrysler andMitsubishi) manufacturing plant inNormal, Illinois. All three vehicles were mechanically identical (when comparing the same option level), includingengine,transmission, anddrivetrain.
Cosmetically, differences between the three were found in wheels, availability of colors, taillights, front and rear bumpers, andspoilers. The Talon featured a two-tone body color with a black 'greenhouse' (roof, pillars, door-mounted mirrors) regardless of the body color. Available transmissions were a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. A hood bulge on the left-hand side of the car was needed for camshaft clearance when equipped with the4G63 engine. All versions featured this hood design, including the base DL model.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1990-1991 Eagle Talon | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1989–1994 |
| Model years | 1990–1994 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | BD-body |
| Related | Mitsubishi Eclipse Plymouth Laser Mitsubishi Galant |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in (2,469 mm) |
| Length | 1990–91: 170.5 in (4,331 mm) 1990–91 TSi: 172.4 in (4,379 mm) 1992–94: 172.8 in (4,389 mm) |
| Width | 1990–91: 66.5 in (1,689 mm) TSi and AWD: 66.9 in (1,699 mm) 1992–94: 66.7 in (1,694 mm) |
| Height | 51.4 in (1,306 mm) AWD & 1990–91 TSi: 52.0 in (1,321 mm) |
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". However, there were two 1G styles. The 1990 and 1991 "1GA" models featured pop-up headlights and a "6-bolt" engine, while the 1992 through 1994 "1GB" models featured exposed composite-style headlights with integrated turn signals and a "7-bolt" engine.[Note 1]
The 1993 and 1994 base model DL wasfront-wheel drive and included a 92 hp (69 kW; 93 PS) 1.8 L engine (4G37). The ES model (or just the base Talon before 1993) included anaturally aspirated 2.0 L 135 hp (101 kW; 137 PS)Mitsubishi 4G63 engine. The TSi and TSi AWD models used the same engine but added anintercooledMitsubishi14bturbocharger producing 11 psi (0.8 bar), rated at 195 hp (145 kW; 198 PS) on TSi AWD models. The front-drive TSi model was rated at 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) due to a restrictive exhaust system, and the automatic transmission versions were rated at 180 hp (134 kW; 182 PS) due to a 13g turbo. The 1990 turbo models were only available with a five-speed manual transmission.
All 1G Talons(and DSMs) built after VIN xxxxxxxxNE005602 or from May 1992, received a freer revving "7-bolt" bottom-end engine that was also used in the new 1992 MitsubishiLancer Evolution. The engine included lighter rods, a 7-bolt lighter crankshaft, as well as a larger one-piece crankshaft girdle and bracing.
Total: 144,970
The Eagle Talon TSi and TSi AWD were onCar and Driver magazine's10 Best list for 1990, 1991 and 1992.[6]Talon models also shared the "10 Best" designation with the other Mitsubishi versions from 1989 through 1992.[7]
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 1997–1998 Eagle Talon | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1995 – February 10, 1998 |
| Model years | 1995–1998 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe |
| Platform | PJ-body |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 98.8 in (2,510 mm) |
| Length |
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| Width |
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| Height |
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The second-generation (or "2G") Eagle Talon was introduced in 1995 simultaneously with itsMitsubishi Eclipse counterpart, while thePlymouth Laser version was discontinued. Mechanically, the new Talon andEclipse models were almost identical to 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 newturbocharger. The new T25turbocharger, sourced fromGarrett, had a boost increase to 14 psi (1.0 bar) of peak boost and was smaller than the previousMitsubishi 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.
While the 1G hadMacPherson struts in the front, the 2G haddouble wishbone in the front andmultilink suspension in the rear. The double-wishbone suspension improved the roll-camber curve in the front for better handling.
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The differences between the Eagle Talon and itsMitsubishi equivalent were more substantial than in the first-generation models. The rear fascia of the Talon featured a bumper cap with a dip in the middle to allow for a high-mounted rear license plate; rear light clusters incorporating amber turn signals (theEclipse used red turn signals); reverse lights as part of the main rear tail light clusters (theEclipse's reverse lights were mounted separately and lower around the mid-mounted license plate); and a sickle-shaped rear spoiler for the TSi and TSiAWD version mounted at the base of the rear window that was painted black regardless of body color (theEclipse used a body-colored, conventional "basket handle"spoiler mounted on the rear deck). ESi models (non-turbo) did not receive side skirts, while TSi and TSi AWD models received side skirts that had the words "16V DOHC TURBO" embossed on the sections behind the doors and ahead of the rear wheels. Minor differences in the front bumper included the lack of a body-colored splitter in the central air intake compared to the Eclipse, slightly differently shaped fog lamps, and the entire air intake section was recessed into the bumper cover compared to the flush intakes of the Eclipse. The Talon featured a black roof while the Eclipse had a body-colored top. Lastly, the "Eagle" and either "ESi", "TSi", or "TSi AWD" badges were embossed, body-colored plastic that was glued to the rear bumper below the taillights on the Talon, while the Eclipse used simple stickers placed on the hatch to denote make and trim level.
For the 1997 model year, a design update occurred for both the Talon and the Eclipse that is sometimes referred to as "2Gb". The front and rear fascias were heavily revised to incorporate more aggressive-looking features. At the front, a larger air intake was created and the "Eagle" emblem was enlarged and embossed into the center of the bumper cap (as opposed to a badge that inset into a similarly shaped hole). A newhigh-mount spoiler replacing the previous flush-mounted "sickle" spoiler. Side skirts were dropped from TSi and TSi AWD models. Embossed lettering "16V DOHC TURBO" was added between the doors and rear wheels. All badging on the sides and rear of the car was now changed to contrasting colors instead of body-colored. Plastic moldings on the bumper caps and doors were added. The TSi and TSiAWD models' aluminum wheels were increased to 17 in (432 mm) and the styling was angular replacing the 16 in (406 mm) curved design of the wheel's five-spokes.
The TSi and TSi AWD models again featured an intercooledturbocharged engine, now replacing the 14B Mitsubishi turbo with aGarrettT25 model. Although theT25 was a smaller turbo, it spooled faster at a lower rpm resulting in increased low-end acceleration performance. The TSi AWD model retained theall-wheel drive drivetrain.
ESi: 2.0 liter DOHC I4 engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, driver and passenger airbags, variable-assist power steering, cloth reclining front bucket seats, folding rear seat, front console with storage and armrest, tinted glass, tachometer, coolant temperature gauge, trip odometer, map lights, dual remote mirrors, visor mirrors, AM/FM radio, digital clock, remote fuel door and hatch releases, tilt steering column, intermittent wipers, rear wiper/washer, rear spoiler, color-keyed bodyside moldings, 195/70R14 tires, and wheel covers.
TSi added: turbocharged engine, sport-tuned exhaust system, upgraded suspension, driver's seat lumbar support adjustment, split-folding rear seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and manual gearshift handle, power mirrors, turbo boost and oil pressure gauges, cassette player, lighted visor mirrors, rear defogger, cargo-area cover, cargo net, lower bodyside cladding, fog lamps, 205/55/R16 tires, and alloy wheels.
TSi AWD added: permanent all-wheel drive, cruise control, power door locks and windows, 215/55/VR16 tires.
Eagle offered option packages and equipment that could be added individually.Option Packages:
Optional Equipment:
Total: 54,262
By 1998, the Talon was the last model in the decliningEagle lineup and the rarest Talon model year. Amid declining sales,Chrysler management decided to stop promoting the Eagle brand. The last Eagle Talon rolled off the assembly line on February 10, 1998.
In 1994, aconcept car called theEagle Jazz was developed for the 1995 automobile show circuit.[8] "It was a sporty sedan with a rounded hatchback tail. Built into that was a hatch-within-a-hatch, so a driver could easily open the rear end to store cargo."[9] It was considered by some to have "a strange resemblance to a 4-door Eagle Talon".[10] Some of the Eagle Jazz concept designs and ideas resurfaced in the second-generationChrysler Concorde.
The Talon won theSCCA World Challengetouring car championship from 1990 until 1991 and the GT Touring championship from 1993 through 1995. Along withOldsmobile (Achieva 1992–1994),Eagle is one of only two American brands to win the TC championship in the 1990s. As of 2020,GM's Oldsmobile Achieva and Chevy Sonic (TCB) have accomplished this feat, along with Chrysler's Eagle Talon. TheDodge Shelby Charger won SSA of the predecessor SCCA / Escort Endurance Championship in 1986, and its Eagle Talon TSI AWD won SSA in 1989.
Before the introduction of the Talon, the TSi (Turbo Sport Intercooled) nameplate was used on the 1986 through 1989Mitsubishi Starion wide-body versions that were marketed as Dodge, Plymouth, or ChryslerConquest model.[11]
The TSi nameplate was used on a version of theJeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) during 1997 and 1998. Marketed as a sportier model, the TSi featured a monochromatic paint scheme with indigo-blue accented trim, a styling feature that was previously available on the Talon.[12]
The TSi name reappeared, as a high-performance model for theChrysler Sebring sedan, for the 2005 and 2006 model years.[13]
