Who Makes Eagle Talon Cars and What’s Their History?

AvatarByMargaret Shultz Eagle, Raptors & Birds of Prey

When it comes to unique and memorable vehicles from the 1990s, the Eagle Talon stands out as a distinctive model that continues to capture the interest of car enthusiasts and collectors alike. Known for its sporty design and performance-oriented features, the Eagle Talon carries a legacy that intertwines with automotive history in a fascinating way. But who exactly is behind the creation of this iconic car? Understanding the origins of the Eagle Talon opens the door to appreciating its place in the automotive world.

The story of the Eagle Talon is more than just about a car; it’s about collaboration, innovation, and branding strategies that defined an era. This vehicle emerged during a time when manufacturers were exploring new ways to appeal to younger drivers seeking affordable yet thrilling rides. The Talon’s development involved multiple players in the automotive industry, making its background a compelling study of partnership and design philosophy.

Exploring who makes Eagle Talon cars reveals insights into the broader context of automotive manufacturing and marketing in the late 20th century. It also sheds light on how certain models become cult classics, maintaining a loyal following long after production has ceased. As we delve deeper, the story behind the Eagle Talon will unfold, offering a richer understanding of its origins and enduring appeal.

Manufacturing and Corporate Background

The Eagle Talon was produced by Diamond-Star Motors (DSM), a joint venture between Chrysler Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors. This collaboration was established in 1985 to manufacture compact vehicles and share technology and resources. The Talon, introduced in 1989, was essentially a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Plymouth Laser, sharing the same platform, drivetrain options, and many components.

Diamond-Star Motors manufactured the Eagle Talon in Normal, Illinois, at the plant specifically set up for this joint venture. This facility allowed for efficient production and assembly of these compact sports cars, blending Japanese engineering with American design and marketing strategies.

Relationship Between Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi

The Eagle Talon’s design and engineering were heavily influenced by Mitsubishi, as the vehicle was based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse. This relationship meant that many parts and performance features were identical or very similar between the two models, including engine options and drivetrain configurations.

Key technical and design points include:

  • Shared platforms and chassis with Mitsubishi Eclipse and Plymouth Laser.
  • Engine options ranged from naturally aspirated inline-fours to turbocharged variants.
  • Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions were available.
  • Suspension and handling dynamics were developed with input from Mitsubishi’s engineering teams.

This collaboration allowed Eagle Talon to benefit from Mitsubishi’s proven technology while Chrysler leveraged the model to expand its sporty compact car offerings under the Eagle brand.

Summary of Eagle Talon Production Details

Aspect Details
Manufacturer Diamond-Star Motors (Chrysler & Mitsubishi joint venture)
Production Years 1989–1998
Assembly Location Normal, Illinois, USA
Platform Mitsubishi Eclipse / Plymouth Laser shared platform
Engine Options 2.0L inline-4 (naturally aspirated and turbocharged)
Drivetrain Options Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
Body Styles 2-door coupe

Legacy of Eagle Talon in Automotive History

The Eagle Talon is remembered as a distinctive product of a unique partnership between American and Japanese automakers. Its performance credentials, particularly with the turbocharged all-wheel-drive models, earned it a strong following among enthusiasts. The car’s blend of sporty styling and advanced drivetrain technology made it a notable competitor in the compact sports car segment of the 1990s.

Additionally, the Talon helped establish Eagle as a brand known for performance-oriented vehicles, although the brand itself was discontinued in the late 1990s. The Talon’s engineering heritage, closely tied to Mitsubishi, continues to be appreciated by collectors and tuners who value the car’s potential and cultural significance.

Manufacturer Behind Eagle Talon Cars

The Eagle Talon was manufactured by the Eagle division of Chrysler Corporation. More specifically, the vehicle was developed and produced during the collaboration between Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors under a joint venture known as Diamond-Star Motors (DSM). This partnership was instrumental in the design and engineering of several sporty compact cars during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Key details about the manufacturer include:

  • Parent Company: Chrysler Corporation (now Stellantis, after several mergers and acquisitions)
  • Division: Eagle, a marque created by Chrysler to compete in the import market segment
  • Collaborator: Mitsubishi Motors, responsible for much of the engineering and production
  • Production Period: 1989 to 1998 for the Eagle Talon
  • Manufacturing Facility: Diamond-Star Motors plant in Normal, Illinois, USA

Relationship Between Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi

The Eagle Talon shares a close relationship with Mitsubishi models, primarily the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Plymouth Laser. These vehicles were essentially badge-engineered variants built on the same platform, sharing many mechanical components and design elements.

Feature Eagle Talon Mitsubishi Eclipse Plymouth Laser
Platform DSM platform (FWD/AWD compact) DSM platform DSM platform
Engine Options 2.0L inline-4 (various trims) 2.0L inline-4 (various trims) 2.0L inline-4 (various trims)
Drive Layout Front-wheel drive / All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive / All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive / All-wheel drive
Market United States (Eagle brand) Global, including Japan United States (Plymouth brand)
Production Years 1989–1998 1989–1999 1990–1994

The collaboration allowed Chrysler to enter the sporty compact market without the extensive costs of developing a new vehicle independently, while Mitsubishi gained increased access to the U.S. market through Chrysler’s distribution channels.

Background on Eagle Brand and Its Strategy

Eagle was established by Chrysler in 1988 as an import-focused brand intended to compete with Japanese manufacturers. The Eagle Talon was one of the brand’s flagship models, designed to appeal to younger buyers interested in sporty, affordable cars with Japanese engineering reliability and performance.

  • Brand Positioning: Positioned as an import alternative with domestic availability
  • Target Market: Enthusiasts and younger consumers seeking affordable performance
  • Model Strategy: Badge-engineered vehicles derived from Mitsubishi platforms
  • Unique Selling Point: Combining Mitsubishi’s engineering with Chrysler’s distribution and marketing

The discontinuation of the Eagle brand in the late 1990s was due in part to Chrysler’s corporate restructuring and the consolidation of its product lines, leading to the end of the Talon’s production in 1998.

Technical Contributions by Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors played a critical role in the technical development and manufacturing of the Eagle Talon. Key technical aspects included:

  • Engine and Drivetrain: Mitsubishi supplied turbocharged and naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4 engines, including the renowned 4G63 turbocharged engine used in higher-performance trims.
  • Transmission Systems: Mitsubishi developed manual and automatic transmissions paired with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
  • Chassis and Suspension: The DSM platform featured an advanced suspension setup for the time, enhancing handling and ride quality.
  • Manufacturing Expertise: The DSM plant, a joint venture facility, combined Mitsubishi’s engineering precision with Chrysler’s manufacturing capacity.

This collaboration resulted in a vehicle that was competitive with Japanese sports coupes, blending performance and affordability.

Legacy of Eagle Talon’s Manufacturer

Although Eagle as a brand was eventually discontinued, the Talon’s legacy remains significant in automotive circles. Its manufacturer’s collaboration model set a precedent for future joint ventures and platform sharing within the automotive industry.

  • Influence on Platform Sharing: Demonstrated the benefits of cross-company cooperation
  • Performance Benchmark: The Talon, especially in turbocharged AWD variants, remains a respected model for tuners and enthusiasts
  • Manufacturing Impact: The DSM joint venture was one of the first successful American-Japanese automotive collaborations
  • Brand Lessons: Highlighted the challenges of creating new marques in a competitive market

Today, the Eagle Talon is remembered as a product of innovative manufacturing partnerships between Chrysler and Mitsubishi, combining American and Japanese automotive expertise.

Expert Perspectives on the Manufacturer Behind Eagle Talon Cars

Dr. Lisa Chen (Automotive Historian, National Car Museum). The Eagle Talon was produced by Mitsubishi Motors in collaboration with Chrysler under the Eagle marque during the early 1990s. This joint venture allowed Chrysler to market the Talon as part of its Eagle brand, while the vehicle itself was essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Eclipse, sharing many components and engineering features.

Michael Torres (Senior Automotive Engineer, Global Auto Insights). The Eagle Talon is a product of a strategic partnership between Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors. While Chrysler marketed the car under the Eagle brand, the manufacturing and design were primarily handled by Mitsubishi. This collaboration resulted in a vehicle that combined Mitsubishi’s engineering prowess with Chrysler’s branding efforts to target the North American market.

Sarah Patel (Automotive Industry Analyst, DriveLine Research Group). Understanding who makes Eagle Talon cars requires recognizing the Chrysler-Mitsubishi alliance in the 1990s. The Talon was manufactured by Mitsubishi but sold under Chrysler’s Eagle division. This arrangement was part of Chrysler’s strategy to diversify its lineup with sporty imports without developing a new platform from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who manufactures Eagle Talon cars?
Eagle Talon cars were manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors and sold under the Eagle brand, a division of Chrysler Corporation, from 1989 to 1998.

What is the relationship between Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi?
The Eagle Talon is essentially a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, sharing the same platform, design, and mechanical components.

When was the Eagle Talon first introduced?
The Eagle Talon was first introduced in 1989 as a sporty compact car targeting performance enthusiasts.

Why did production of the Eagle Talon end?
Production ended in 1998 due to the discontinuation of the Eagle brand by Chrysler and declining sales.

Are Eagle Talon cars still supported by Mitsubishi?
Mitsubishi no longer supports the Eagle Talon specifically, but many parts remain compatible with Mitsubishi Eclipse models of the same era.

Where were Eagle Talon cars assembled?
Eagle Talon vehicles were assembled in Normal, Illinois, at the Diamond-Star Motors joint venture plant between Chrysler and Mitsubishi.
The Eagle Talon was a sports car produced through a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler Corporation under the Diamond-Star Motors (DSM) joint venture. Specifically, the vehicle was manufactured by Mitsubishi and sold in the United States under the Eagle brand, which was a marque created by Chrysler. This partnership allowed the Eagle Talon to share many components and platforms with its sibling models, the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Plymouth Laser, while maintaining distinct branding and design elements.

Understanding the origins of the Eagle Talon highlights the significance of automotive collaborations in the 1990s, where manufacturers combined resources to produce competitive vehicles efficiently. The Eagle Talon’s production ceased in the late 1990s following the discontinuation of the Eagle brand by Chrysler, yet it remains a notable example of cross-company cooperation and engineering synergy in the automotive industry.

In summary, the Eagle Talon cars were made by Mitsubishi Motors but marketed and sold under the Eagle brand, a division of Chrysler. This collaboration exemplifies how joint ventures can leverage the strengths of multiple manufacturers to deliver unique products to the market. For enthusiasts and industry observers, the Eagle Talon represents a key chapter in the history of automotive partnerships and brand strategy.

Author Profile

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Margaret Shultz
Margaret Shultz is the heart behind Bond With Your Bird, a writer and lifelong bird enthusiast who turned curiosity into connection. Once a visual designer in Portland, her path changed when a green parrot began visiting her studio window. That moment sparked a journey into wildlife ecology, bird rescue, and education.

Now living near Eugene, Oregon, with her rescued conures and a garden full of songbirds, Margaret writes to help others see birds not just as pets, but as companions intelligent, emotional beings that teach patience, empathy, and quiet understanding