When it comes to designing and marketing sport coupes, automakers know it's a jungle out there. They all need to make their cars faster, sleeker and ever-more powerful than the competition does, and it's a never-ending battle. Which is why, upon hearing that the Chrysler/Mitsubishi Diamond-Star partnership was redesigning the Eagle Talon/ Mitsubishi Eclipse for 1995, the most appropriate response seemed to be: "What took you so long?"
But after we had a chance to drive the beefed-up, turbocharged 1995 all-wheel-drive (AWD) Talon TSi, we'd like to amend our response to, "It was worth the wait." In the turbocharged TSi and TSi AWD 5-speed versions, the talon's 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine is powered by 210 unruly horses - a 15-hp increase over the 94 model - which more than makes up for the car's 200 lb. weight increase.
As well as the TSi and TSi AWD, the Talon is available in the base ESi.
Our Talon TSi AWD test model had a base price of $20,335 and was stocked with standard equipment that included (obviously) all-wheel drive, 4-wheel disc brakes, speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering, power door locks/windows/mirrors, electronic speed control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear split folding seat.
Our test car was also equipped with an option package that included air conditioning, front floor mats, power driver's seat, power sunroof and a CD player with six speakers. Other options were leather low-back front bucket seats and leather rear bench seat, anti-lock brakes and limited-slip differential. All of these goodies brought the price of our car up to $23,826.
From the front view, the talon's low-slung foglights, fat tires and squinty, imperious headlights convey both style and sportiness. A black canopy, black spoiler and beveled side-body panels add a dash of drama, as does the swept-back rear-hatch window. However, as far as style is concerned, the otherwise sleek driver-side profile is cluttered by too many elements: an antenna, rear-window wiper, blacked-out side-window borders and multiple body seams. We also found ourselves wishing - again, from a styling perspective - that the Talon was a notch-back coupe with a trunk instead of a hatch.
From the rear, the fat fascia, concave hind quarters and chrome dual exhausts suggest the Talon is ready for some serious road wars. From a more functional standpoint, the rear deck lid opens to reveal enough space for perhaps a dozen shopping bags - and maybe another eight or so when the rear seats are folded down.
Engineers has given the Talon TSi the same control arm and multi-link rear suspension used in the Mitsubishi Galant. The wheelbase is wider - 98.8 in. compared with the 97.2 in. wheelbase in the '94 - and the new design incorporates more aerodynamic lines and a sportier, more aggressive stance.
Meanwhile, Chrysler has shined up the talon's sports-car credentials by increasing its bending resistance and the torsional rigidity of the body structure. Indeed, this is the package that has led the Talon to five consecutive victories in Sports Car Club of America's World Challenge racing series.
Typically, when one buys a car for its engine muscle and brisk handling, one can expect to make some compromises in terms of interior space. And although that's certainly true of the Talon, the 95 model does offer a bit more breathing room in the cabin. Plus, by pushing the cowl closer to the front, Talon designers have given the driver a better outlook on life - or, at least, on surrounding traffic.
Also on the plus side, the leather seats are plushly perforated, while the door-panel armrests and instrument panel have a scooped, futuristic visage. Speaking of this panel, our TSi AWD model featured full sport instrumentation, including a large 9000 rpm tachometer, with turbo boost and oil pressure gauges paired to the left of the tachometer and fuel level and coolant temperature gauges paired to the right. Nice touch.
