Don't overlook the two-clawed Eagle Talon.
Eagle's new Talon sports coupe is getting a lot of justifiable attention in its all-wheel-drive (AWD) version. But there's a perfectly nice little brother parked just outside the limelight.It's the base-model Talon with only the two front wheels getting its 135 horsepower from the naturally aspirated 2-liter engine.
It's not as fast and doesn't have as much grip on the road as the flagship Talon TSi-AWD, which claws away at the concrete with all four wheels powered by a 195-horsepower turbocharged engine.
The TSi-AWD can do zero to 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds. The base version takes about 2 seconds longer but it's still quick enough for adequate performance and to get a speeding ticket any time you want.
And the base Talon doesn't tear as big a hole in your bank account.
It has a base price of $12,995, plus $454 destination charge. The TSi-AWD starts at $16,437, plus $454 destination charge. There's also a 190-horsepower turbocharged front-driver version, the Talon TSi, starting at $14,753, plus $454 destination.
For the $13,449 of a base Talon, you get a sleek little coupe with sports-car handling. The test car totaled $14,251 with the addition of $802 air-conditioning and the $454 destination charge.
It's an attention-getting car, especially in the test car's sexy red. The hood has a "power dome" bulge and a jaunty spoiler wraps around the top of the rear deck.
It has most of the mechanics of its big-bucks brothers except for the turbo engine, slightly different tires and the AWD's different wheels and independent rear suspension.
The base Talon has four-wheel power disc brakes, 5-speed manual transmission, tilt steering, front and rear stabilizer bars and power-assisted rack and pinion steering.
A four-speed automatic transmission is available on the base Talon only.
The car, sold by Chrysler's Jeep-Eagle Division, is a collaboration of Japanese automaker Mitsubishi and Chrysler.
It's built in Normal, Ill., by Diamond-Star Motors, a Mitsubishi-Chrysler joint venture. The plant also builds versions of the same car for Plymouth, which sells it as the Laser, and Mitsubishi, which markets it as the Eclipse. The Laser has no AWD model.
The Diamond-Star sports coupes do battle in the market place with such cars as Toyota Celica, Nissan 240 SX, Subaru XT, Ford Probe and Mazda MX-6.
The Talon test car is called a 2-plus-2 seater, but the two rear seats are not much good for hauling anything except child seats or a pair of big pumpkins. Leg room is next to nil.
The two bucket front seats, however, offer good seating. In combination with the tilt steering, drivers of most any size can find a comfortable driving position.
Ergonomics are generally excellent. The cowl housing the analog gauges blends into the dashboard and wraps down to the console. Most controls are well placed and sensibly designed.
The gearshift and clutch work smoothly and positively. Power is generally delivered evenly to the front wheels, although there is a bit of torque steer if there's hard acceleration while turning.
The engine has four cylinders, 16 valves and dual overhead cams. It's a high-revving powerplant developing its peak power at 6,000 rpm and has a redline of 7,000 rpm. With the 5-speed manual, it delivers 22 mpg city and 29 highway on regular unleaded gasoline.
Handling is adequately quick and positive. The car hangs onto corners well with little body roll and keeps its footing when dodging little furry creatures and other road hazards.
*****
(Additional information)
Eagle Talon
Base price: $12,995
Price as tested: $14,251
Powertrain: front engine, front drive
Curb weight: 2,651 pounds
Engine displacement: 2 liters
Horsepower: 135
Fuel economy: 22 city, 29 highway