The four-model Talon range is diversified primarily by an ambidextrous
powertrain spread. With these impressive engine/transmission combos, a
buyer can customize the car to personal driving preferences while retaining
a laudable edge in fuel economy. Any blend of these choices will give you
a ride that can make your day on a sunny Sunday morning.
The front-drive base Talon (from $14,594, including destination) and
slightly uplevel Talon ESi (from $15,365) are powered by a 2.0-liter dual
overhead cam four-cylinder with 16 valves for heavy breathing. The engine
sends 140 horsepower through a standard-equipment five-speed manual gearbox
and runs on 87 octane unleaded fuel. If you prefer an automatic transmission,
add $745.
The standard engine is a decent performer with the automatic--and a
blue-ribbon little pot-boiler with the stick, with which you can take better
advantage of the available power and torque. It's a high-tech powerplant,
and also hearty foundation for the turbocharged version.
The front-drive Talon TSi (from $18,550) and full-time all-wheel-drive
Talon TSi AWD (from $20,806) are the turbocharged editions, with the same
transmission choices--manual standard, automatic optional. The pressurized
engine pounds out 210 hp (205 hp with the automatic) on 91 octane unleaded
gasoline. We gotta tell you right now that this engine is an electrifying
actor, especially in the earth-magnet TSi AWD.
If you like an open air option, the soft top Spyder Eclipse is available
in turbo (the GS-T, $25,960) and normally aspirated (the GS, from $20,160).
Redesigned in 1994, these are arguably the best looking small sport
coupes--and convertibles--in the business. From a smoothly contoured front
end to the rounded tail, like a high-performance aircraft there's hardly
a straight edge or corner on the entire surface. The design delivers a
feeling of speed before the ignition key is even turned. Eagle Talons are
differentiated from their Mitsubishi Eclipse kin by unique fascias and
option-package mixes, but the cars are fundamentally very similar in appearance
regardless of the nameplate.
Assembly quality and overall finish is exceptionally high. Our Talon
tester was as solid as a bank vault, keeping road and traffic noise efficiently
at bay.
A sport coupe's sleek exterior exacts its price from the interior. All
of that cool, swoopy sheetmetal defines a passenger cell that is nothing
short of overstuffed when occupied by the maximum of four riders. It's
a problem that's inherent in all small sport coupes. The ideal solution:
operate the Talon as a spacious two-seater and use the back seat as a rear-mounted
package shelf. Front seat legroom, however, is plentiful.
The interior itself is as purposeful as the flight deck of the space
shuttle. The instrument panel reads at a glance, and the various controls
and switches are well lighted for nighttime operations. Everything needed
to operate the car is within the driver's reach, yet there's no appearance
of clutter.
Standard equipment quickly ratchets up along with the price for uplevel
renderings, but buyers of even the base cars can expect sport instrumentation
that includes a tachometer, speed-sensitive power steering, sport wheel
covers, tilt steering column, and dual remote (as distinct from power-operated)
outside mirrors.
Other important standards include dual airbags and side impact door
beams, a footrest for the driver's left foot, and a folding rear bench
seat permitting bigger cargoes.
Our basic tester was equipped with only a few options. In Midwestern
climes a rear window defroster is a bargain at $162. Air conditioning isn't
quite as much of a bargain at $860, but it's essential even in climates
that are short on warm weather and pays off at resale time. The only other
extra-cost item was the uplevel AM/FM four-speaker radio with digital clock
at $234.
A sport coupe worth the name has got to put its power down effectively,
and the Talon/Eclipse range proves it has the go-power to back up its aggressive
styling statement.
The non-turbocharged 140-hp four-cylinder in the base cars is a terrific
little engine that takes maximum advantage of the standard five-speed stick.
Closet Andrettis will get an adrenaline rush from the excellent throttle
response, especially from a standing start.
If you really want to light the afterburners, though, the turbocharged
engine is the way to go, with a capital G. Allied with the all-wheel-drive
system, this engine gives the Talon--or Eclipse--serious sports car capabilities,
with grip to match.
This is a point-and-shoot kind of sporty car with the terrain-following
confidence of a cruise missile. With four drive wheels all scrabbling for
grip at the same time, the turbocharged engine making sweet music at full
song, well, for the driving enthusiast, it just doesn't get much better.
Especially for this kind of money.
Spirited driving, you ask? Positively angelic. Galvanizing handling
prowess across the lineup is due to double-wishbone front arms with coil
springs and shock absorbers and multi-links, coils, and shocks in the rear.
All anchored to a chassis that's rigid enough to make it all work.
The Talon is low to the ground and handles crisply when engaged in high-speed
transitions. The speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering is a bit
numb of road feel but control authority is still first-class.
There are front-drive coupes that carve their way through corners with
a little more authority--the new Honda Prelude comes to mind--but not many.