Eagle · 1989–1998

Eagle Talon

The Eagle Talon is a sport compact hatchback coupé. It was manufactured as part of a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi in two generations starting from the 1990 model year. The Talon was marketed by Eagle. The rebadged variants were the Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse. The last model year for the Eagle Talon, as well as the Eagle division of Chrysler, was 1998.

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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 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 the 4G63 engine. All versions featured this hood design, including the base DL model.

First generation (1990)

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. The 1993 and 1994 base model DL was front-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 a naturally 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 an intercooled Mitsubishi 14b turbocharger producing 11 psi (0.8 bar), rated at 195 hp (145 kW; 198 PS) on TSi AWD models. The front-wheel-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 smaller 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 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The engine included lighter connecting rods, a 7-bolt lighter crankshaft, as well as a larger one-piece crankshaft girdle and bracing. 1G trim levels. Eagle Talon 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 Total: 144,970 Awards. The Eagle Talon TSi and TSi AWD were on Car and Driver magazine's 10 Best list for 1990, 1991

Second generation (1995)

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 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 new turbocharger. The new T25 turbocharger, sourced from Garrett, had a boost increase to 14 psi (1.0 bar) 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 and reduce turbo lag. 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. The differences between the Eagle Talon and its Mitsubishi 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 (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). ESi models (non-turbo) did not receive side skirts, while TSi and TSi AWD models received side skirt

Eagle Jazz

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

Motorsport

The Talon won the SCCA World Challenge touring car championship from 1990 until 1991 and the GT Touring championship from 1993 through 1995. Along with Oldsmobile (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. The Dodge Shelby Charger won SSA of the predecessor SCCA / Escort Endurance Championship in 1986, and its Eagle Talon TSI AWD won SSA in 1989. 1989 - AWD Turbo - Escort Endurance Class A Championship for co-drivers Bobby & Tommy Archer 1990 - FWD Turbo - Escort World Challenge Super Production Class Championship for driver Bobby Archer 1991 - FWD Non-Turbo - Escort World Challenge Super Production Class Championship for driver Mitch Wright 1992 - FWD Non-Turbo - Escort World Challenge Class D Championship for driver Neil Hanneman 1993 - FWD Turbo - Escort World Challenge Class B Championship for driver Willy Lewis 7 straight SCCA Pro Racing Championships - Eagle Talon HKS & Archer Racing dominated

The TSi name

Before the introduction of the Talon, the TSi (Turbo Sport Intercooled) nameplate was used on the 1986 through 1989 Mitsubishi Starion wide-body versions that were marketed as Dodge, Plymouth, or Chrysler Conquest model. The TSi nameplate was used on a version of the Jeep 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. The TSi name reappeared, as a high-performance model for the Chrysler Sebring sedan, for the 2005 and 2006 model years.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Eagle Talon
Manufacturer: Diamond-Star Motors for Chrysler Eagle Division (1990–1998), DaimlerChrysler (1998)
Class: Sport compact car
Production: 1989–1998
Model years: 1990–1998
Layout: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Body style: 3-door coupe hatchback
Assembly: United States: Normal, Illinois (Diamond-Star Motors)
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
Successor: Chrysler Sebring coupe, Dodge Stratus coupe

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q751316CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_TalonCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1368776556 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1st-Eagle-Talon.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.