Eagle Talon: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Eagle Talon to choose depends primarily on whether you value lower fuel consumption, stronger performance, an Automatic gearbox, or AWD. Across its two Coupe generations, produced from 1989–1994 and 1994–1999, the catalogue lists engines from 1755 to 1997 cc and outputs from 93 to 210 hp.
The Eagle Talon to choose depends primarily on whether you value lower fuel consumption, stronger performance, an Automatic gearbox, or AWD. Across its two Coupe generations, produced from 1989–1994 and 1994–1999, the catalogue lists engines from 1755 to 1997 cc and outputs from 93 to 210 hp. The first generation offers the lightest 1156 kg versions and the only measured top speed of 230 km/h, while the second generation reaches the highest output at 210 hp. The most balanced economy choice is the first-generation 1.8 MT; the strongest second-generation option is the 210 hp 2.0 MT, available with FWD or AWD.
Eagle Talon generations: what changed?
The first-generation Eagle Talon was produced from 1989 to 1994 as a Coupe with eight listed versions. Its range begins with the 93 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT and continues through several 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT configurations producing 135–195 hp. Both FWD and AWD are represented. Kerb weight varies from 1156 kg for the 1.8 versions to 1407 kg for the heavier AWD configurations, while ground clearance is 160 mm throughout the listed range.
The second-generation Eagle Talon was produced from 1994 to 1999 as a Coupe with six listed versions. Every version has an engine close to 2.0 litres, with outputs of 140, 205, or 210 hp. Buyers can choose Manual or Automatic transmission and FWD or AWD, depending on the version. The listed kerb weight is 1252 kg throughout, and measured ground clearance is 125 mm on five versions; it is not measured for the 140 hp 2.0 AT.
Eagle Talon engine specs and version comparison
Repeated version names are distinguished below by power and drive. Every engine uses Gasoline, has a front, transverse installation, an Inline cylinder layout, and distributed multi-point injection.
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Cylinders | Valves per cylinder | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1994 | 1.8 MT, 93 hp | 93 hp / 68 kW | 142 Nm | 1755 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1989–1994 | 1.8 AT, 93 hp | 93 hp / 68 kW | 142 Nm | 1755 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1989–1994 | 2.0 MT, 135 hp | 135 hp / 99 kW | 169 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1989–1994 | 2.0 AT, 135 hp | 135 hp / 99 kW | 169 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1989–1994 | 2.0 AT, 180 hp, FWD | 180 hp / 132 kW | 265 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1989–1994 | 2.0 AT, 180 hp, AWD | 180 hp / 132 kW | 265 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| 1989–1994 | 2.0 MT, 190 hp, FWD | 190 hp / 140 kW | 275 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1989–1994 | 2.0 MT, 195 hp, AWD | 195 hp / 143 kW | 275 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 2 | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 1994–1999 | 2.0 AT, 140 hp | 140 hp / 103 kW | 176 Nm | 1996 cc | 4 | 4 | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1994–1999 | 2.0 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp / 103 kW | 176 Nm | 1996 cc | 4 | 4 | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1994–1999 | 2.0 AT, 205 hp, FWD | 205 hp / 151 kW | 298 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 4 | Turbo | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1994–1999 | 2.0 AT, 205 hp, AWD | 205 hp / 151 kW | 298 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 4 | Turbo | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| 1994–1999 | 2.0 MT, 210 hp, AWD | 210 hp / 154 kW | 290 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 4 | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 1994–1999 | 2.0 MT, 210 hp, FWD | 210 hp / 154 kW | 290 Nm | 1997 cc | 4 | 4 | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
The second generation’s 140 hp 2.0 MT produces approximately 70.1 hp per litre, compared with approximately 67.6 hp per litre for the first-generation 135 hp 2.0 MT. Moving to the second-generation 210 hp 2.0 MT raises specific output to approximately 105.2 hp per litre. Its 290 Nm is 121 Nm above the first-generation 135 hp 2.0 MT and 114 Nm above the second-generation 140 hp 2.0 MT.
For an Automatic, the major second-generation upgrade is from the 140 hp 2.0 AT to the Turbo 205 hp 2.0 AT. The increase is 65 hp and 122 Nm, while the gearbox remains an Automatic with 4 speeds. The 205 hp version also offers a choice between FWD and AWD with the same listed power, torque, displacement, and kerb weight.
Eagle Talon performance, fuel economy, and mpg data
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1994 1.8 MT, 93 hp | not measured | 175 km/h | 10.2 l/100 km | 7.3 l/100 km | 9 l/100 km |
| 1989–1994 1.8 AT, 93 hp | not measured | 170 km/h | 10.2 l/100 km | 7.8 l/100 km | 9 l/100 km |
| 1989–1994 2.0 MT, 135 hp | not measured | 195 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 AT, 135 hp | not measured | 182 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 AT, 180 hp, FWD | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 AT, 180 hp, AWD | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 MT, 190 hp, FWD | 6.6 seconds | 230 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 MT, 195 hp, AWD | 6.7 seconds | 230 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1994–1999 2.0 AT, 140 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1994–1999 2.0 MT, 140 hp | not measured | not measured | 11.8 l/100 km | 7.8 l/100 km | 9.2 l/100 km |
| 1994–1999 2.0 AT, 205 hp, FWD | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1994–1999 2.0 AT, 205 hp, AWD | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1994–1999 2.0 MT, 210 hp, AWD | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1994–1999 2.0 MT, 210 hp, FWD | 9 seconds | not measured | 11.8 l/100 km | 8.1 l/100 km | 9 l/100 km |
Among versions with measured economy, the first-generation 1.8 MT has the lowest highway figure at 7.3 l/100 km. Choosing the 1.8 AT keeps city and combined consumption at 10.2 and 9 l/100 km, but highway consumption rises by 0.5 l/100 km and measured top speed falls by 5 km/h.
The first-generation 190 hp FWD and 195 hp AWD 2.0 MT versions provide the clearest performance comparison. The AWD car adds 5 hp but also 147 kg, giving it approximately 7.2 kg per hp versus approximately 6.6 kg per hp for the FWD car. Both have a measured top speed of 230 km/h, while the FWD version reaches 100 km/h 0.1 second sooner.
Eagle Talon dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
Overall exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed Eagle Talon version. Wheel sizes, gross weight, and full vehicle weight are also not measured across the catalogue data. Every version has a 60-litre fuel tank.
| Generation and version group | Kerb weight | Ground clearance | Gross weight | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1994 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT, 93 hp | 1156 kg | 160 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT, 135 hp | 1230 kg | 160 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 AT, 180 hp, FWD; 2.0 MT, 190 hp, FWD | 1260 kg | 160 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1994 2.0 AT, 180 hp, AWD; 2.0 MT, 195 hp, AWD | 1407 kg | 160 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1994–1999 all listed versions | 1252 kg | 125 mm, except 140 hp 2.0 AT: not measured | not measured | not measured |
The first-generation 1.8 versions are 96 kg lighter than every second-generation version. Within the first generation, the listed AWD 2.0 configurations are 147 kg heavier than the corresponding 1260 kg FWD group. Compared with the first-generation 160 mm figure, the measured second-generation clearance is 35 mm lower.
Which Eagle Talon version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 1.8 MT if measured fuel use and low kerb weight matter most. It combines 1156 kg with 10.2 l/100 km in the city, 7.3 l/100 km on the highway, and 9 l/100 km combined. The 1.8 AT is the alternative for buyers who require an Automatic gearbox, although its measured highway use is 0.5 l/100 km higher and its measured top speed is 5 km/h lower.
Choose the first-generation 2.0 MT with 190 hp and FWD when the supplied acceleration data is the priority. It records 6.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 230 km/h, compared with 6.7 seconds and the same 230 km/h for the 195 hp AWD 2.0 MT. The FWD version is also 147 kg lighter, so the AWD car’s extra 5 hp does not produce a quicker measured result.
Choose a second-generation 2.0 AT with 205 hp if you want Turbo power with an Automatic gearbox. Both the FWD and AWD versions make 205 hp and 298 Nm, which is the highest torque figure in the catalogue. Their acceleration, top speed, and fuel-consumption figures are not measured, so those criteria cannot separate them; the meaningful choice is FWD versus AWD.
Choose a second-generation 2.0 MT with 210 hp for maximum listed horsepower. The FWD and AWD versions share 210 hp, 290 Nm, a Manual gearbox with 5 speeds, and a 1252 kg kerb weight. That equals approximately 6.0 kg per hp, the best power-to-weight result among the listed versions. Only the FWD car has measured acceleration and economy—9 seconds to 100 km/h and 9 l/100 km combined—while the AWD car’s corresponding figures are not measured.
For a moderate-output second-generation car, the 140 hp 2.0 MT is more fully documented than the 140 hp 2.0 AT: it has measured consumption of 11.8 l/100 km city, 7.8 l/100 km highway, and 9.2 l/100 km combined. Both use FWD and produce 176 Nm, so the deciding factor is a Manual gearbox with 5 speeds or an Automatic gearbox with 4 speeds.