Eagle Talon

The Eagle Talon is a two-door 2+2, Front-wheel drive (FWD) or All-wheel drive (AWD) hatchback coupé manufactured and marketed between 1989 and 1998 and sold by Eagle[1][2] along with rebadged variants the Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse.

This article is about the sport compact car. For the Japanese anime, see Eagle Talon (anime). For other uses, see Eagle talon.
Eagle Talon
Overview
ManufacturerEagle (1990-1998)
DaimlerChrysler (1998)
Production1989-1998
Model years1990-1998
AssemblyUnited States: Normal, Illinois (Diamond-Star Motors)
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style3-door liftback
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Powertrain
Transmission5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

The last year for the Eagle Talon—as well as the Eagle division of Chrysler—was 1998.[3]

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, tail lights, 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 in order for camshaft clearance on the 4G63 engine. The base model DL did not use this engine but still had a bulge as evident in the 1992 Talon brochure. 2nd Generation cars all had such a bulge, even with the inclusion of the 420A engine.

First generation (1990–94)
First generation
Overview
Production1989–1994
Model years1990–1994
Body and chassis
PlatformBD-body
RelatedMitsubishi Eclipse
Plymouth Laser
Mitsubishi Galant
Powertrain
Engine1.8 L Mitsubishi 4G37 I4
2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63 I4
2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63T I4 Turbo
Dimensions
Wheelbase97.2 in (2,469 mm)
Length1990–91: 170.5 in (4,331 mm)
1990–91 TSi: 172.4 in (4,379 mm)
1992–94: 172.8 in (4,389 mm)
Width1990–91: 66.5 in (1,689 mm)
TSi and AWD: 66.9 in (1,699 mm)
1992–94: 66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Height51.4 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 ran through 1994. This era of DSM vehicles is commonly 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 lights and a "6-bolt" engine, while the "1GB" model of 1992–1994 featured composite style headlights with integrated turn signals.

The 1993–1994 base model DL was front-wheel drive and used a 92-horsepower 1.8 L engine (4G37). The ES model (or just the base Talon before 1993) sported a naturally aspirated 2.0 L 135 hp 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 195 horsepower (145 kW) on TSi AWD models. The front-drive TSi produced only 190 hp due to a more restrictive exhaust system, and the automatics produced 180 horsepower (130 kW) due to a 13g turbo.

The "six-bolt" engine on all Talons built before April 1992 refers to the number of bolts connecting the flywheel to the crankshaft. All 1G Talons built after April 1992 received a freer revving "7-bolt" engine borrowed from the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution's lighter rods and seven-bolt crankshaft.

The Eagle Talon was consistently featured on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1990–1992.

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
1992-1994 Eagle Talon TSi

Awards

The Talon Turbo was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1989–1992.[4]

Second generation (1995–98)
Second generation
Overview
Production1995 – February 10, 1998
Model years1995–1998
Body and chassis
Body style2-door coupe
PlatformPJ-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase98.8 in (2,510 mm)
Length
  • 1995–96: 172.2 in (4,374 mm)
  • 1997–98: 174.8 in (4,440 mm)
Width
  • 1995–96: 68.7 in (1,745 mm)
  • 1997–98: 69.9 in (1,775 mm)
  • ESi: 68.3 in (1,735 mm)
Height
  • 49.8 in (1,265 mm)
  • AWD: 50.5 in (1,283 mm)

The second generation (or "2G") Eagle Talon was introduced in 1995 simultaneously with its Mitsubishi Eclipse counterpart, while the Plymouth Laser model was eliminated. Mechanically, the new Talon and Eclipse models were almost identical with the engines in the turbocharged versions receiving a modest increase in output thanks to a redesigned intake and exhaust, higher 8.5:1 (vs. 7.8:1) compression pistons, and new turbocharger. The new T25 turbocharger, provided by Garrett, had boost increased to 12 psi of peak boost and was smaller than the previous Mitsubishi built 14b turbo that was on 1G models. The T25 did spool up faster than the previous turbocharger in order to increase the turbo response or reduce turbo lag. The other important 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 gave the 2G a much better roll-camber curve in the front, allowing for much better handling.

1997-1998 Eagle Talon

From an aesthetic standpoint, the differences between the Eagle Talon and its Mitsubishi equivalent were somewhat more substantial than exhibited in the first generation models. These differences were most obvious at the rear of the car. For example, 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 (the Eclipse used red turn signals); reverse lights as part of the main rear tail light clusters (the Eclipse's reverse lights were mounted separately and lower around the mid-mounted license plate); and a sickle-shaped rear spoiler for the TSi and TSi AWD version mounted at the base of the rear window that was painted black regardless of body color (the Eclipse used a body colored, conventional "basket handle" spoiler mounted on the rear deck). Other differences included the air intake beneath the front bumper, which did not have a body-colored splitter (minor difference), and the absence of side skirts. Also, the hard-top Talon featured a black roof while the Eclipse had a body colored top.

1995 Eagle Talon TSi. Amber turn signals, integrated reverse lights, and bumper cap comprise the rear fascia that is unique to the Eagle Talon.

For model year 1997, a design update occurred for both the Talon and the Eclipse that is sometimes referred to as "2Gb". The update was primarily limited to the non-metal portions of the car. 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). At the rear, a new high-mount spoiler was introduced that projected further into the airstream, replacing the flush-mounted sickle spoiler. Added plastic moldings on the bumper caps and doors completed the revisions to the body. Lastly, on the TSi and TSi AWD models, the aluminum wheels were increased to 17 in (432 mm) and incorporated more angles replacing the 16 in (406 mm) curved 5-spoke wheel. Another important, non-cosmetic change concerned the driveline. There was a slight change in gear ratios and the number of splines on the shaft feeding power to the transfer case was altered.

The TSi and TSi AWD models again featured an intercooled turbocharged engine, now replacing the 14B Mitsubishi turbo with a Garrett T25 model. Although the T25 was a smaller turbo, it spooled faster at a lower rpm resulting in increased low end acceleration performance. The TSi AWD model retained the all-wheel drive drivetrain system.

Engines

Standard equipment

ESi: 2.0 liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine, 5 speed manual transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes, driver and passenger air bags, 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, wheel covers.

TSi adds: 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, alloy wheels.

TSi AWD adds: permanent all wheel drive, cruise control, power door locks and windows, 215/55/VR16

Optional equipment

Eagle offered various option packages as well as optional equipment that could be added individually.

Option Packages:

  • Pkg 21B/22B, ESi: Air conditioning, cruise control, rear defogger, power mirrors, cassette player, cargo area cover, front floormats. Pkg 22B requires 4-speed automatic transmission.
  • Pkg 21C/22C, ESi: Pkg 21B/22B plus power windows and door locks, cargo net, upgraded interior trim. Pkg 22C requires 4-speed automatic transmission.
  • Pkg 23P/24P, TSi: Air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and door locks, front floormats. Pkg 24P requires automatic transmission.
  • Pkg 25S/26S, TSi AWD: Air conditioning, front floor mats,. Pkg 26S requires automatic transmission.
  • Pkg 25L/26L, TSi AWD: Pkg 25S/26S plus power driver's seat, leather/vinyl front upholstery, CD/cassette player with graphic equalizer, power sunroof, remote keyless entry with security alarm. Pkg 26L requires automatic transmission.

Optional Equipment:

  • 4-speed automatic transmission, ESi, TSi, TSi AWD. TSi AWD includes 205/55/VR16 tires.
  • Anti-lock brakes
  • Limited-slip differential, TSi AWD
  • Air Conditioning
  • Remote keyless entry with security alarm, ESi w/ Pkg 21C/22C and TSi AWD w/ Pkg 25S/26S.
  • Rear defogger, ESi
  • Cassette/CD Player, ESi w/ Pkg 21C/22C, TSi w/ option pkg, TSi AWD w/ Pkg 25S/26S. Credit back w/ pkg 25L/26L
  • Cassette/CD player with graphic equalizer (includes 8 Infinity speakers,) TSi w/ option pkg, TSi AWD w/ Pkg 25S/26S.
  • Power sunroof, ESi w/ Pkg 21C/22C
  • Leather/vinyl upholstery, TSi w/ option pkg and TSi AWD w/ Pkg 25S/26S
  • Power driver's seat, TSi w/ option pkg or TSi AWD w/ Pkg. 25S/26S
  • Homelink, requires option pkg. (96–98 only)
  • Alloy wheels, ESi w/ option pkg.

Production numbers
  • 1995: 25,066[5]
  • 1996: 15,100
  • 1997: 9,788
  • 1998: 4,307

End of the Talon

By 1998, the Talon was the last model in the declining Eagle 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.

Eagle Jazz

In 1994, a concept car called the Eagle Jazz was developed for the 1995 automobile show circuit.[6] "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."[7] It was considered by some to have "a strange resemblance to a 4-door Eagle Talon".[8] Some of the Eagle Jazz concept design and ideas resurfaced in the second-generation Chrysler Concorde.

Motorsport

The Talon won the SCCA World Challenge touring car championship from 1990 to 1991 and the GT Touring championship from 1993 to 1995. Along with Oldsmobile (Achieva '92-'94) , 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. The Dodge Shelby Charger won SSA of the predecessor SCCA / Escort Endurance Championship in 1986, and its Eagle Talon won SSA in 1989.

Eddie Garrison drove a 1997 Eagle Talon TSi to Rookie of the Year honors in the 2007 Grand Bayou Race Series hosted by No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana. Garrison also won the Touring Car Class in the same Eagle Talon in 2008.

Legacy

The TSi nameplate appeared on Jeep's Grand Cherokee for the 1997 and 1998 model years. It was marketed as a sportier model in the line-up (with the exception of the 5.9 Limited) and featured Indigo blue trim and monochromatic scheme that was available on the Talon.[9] The TSi name reappeared again, as a high-performance model for the Chrysler Sebring sedan, for the 2005 and 2006 model years.[10]

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See also

References
  1. Automobile Quarterly, Volume 39, number 3 - Page 66
  2. Dunne, Jim (January 1989). "Inside Detroit". Popular Mechanics. 166 (1): 33. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  3. "The Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser: Mitsubishi cars with pentastars". Allpar. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  4. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/1989-10best-cars-1989-mitsubishi-eclipse-turbo-plymouth-laser-turbo-page-10
  5. "The Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser: Mitsubishi cars with pentastars". Allpar.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  6. Eagle Jazz, retrieved on 2009-06-22.
  7. "Fanfare, fireworks roll out new cars" Milwaukee Sentinel, January 4, 1995, retrieved on 2009-06-22.
  8. Johnson, Elizabeth "1992 Eagle Talon" conceptcarz.com, undated, retrieved on 2009-06-22.
  9. Statham, Steve (1999). Jeep Color History. Motorbooks. pp. 122–123. ISBN 9780760306369. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  10. Ward's Automotive Yearbook, Volume 68. Ward's Reports. 2006. p. 170. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
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