A sport coupe's sleek exterior exacts its price from the interior. All
of that cool, swoopy sheetmetal defines a passenger cell that is nothing
short of overstuffed when occupied by the maximum of four riders. It's
a problem that's inherent in all small sport coupes. The ideal solution:
operate the Talon as a spacious two-seater and use the back seat as a rear-mounted
package shelf. Front seat legroom, however, is plentiful.
The interior itself is as purposeful as the flight deck of the space
shuttle. The instrument panel reads at a glance, and the various controls
and switches are well lighted for nighttime operations. Everything needed
to operate the car is within the driver's reach, yet there's no appearance
of clutter.
Standard equipment quickly ratchets up along with the price for uplevel
renderings, but buyers of even the base cars can expect sport instrumentation
that includes a tachometer, speed-sensitive power steering, sport wheel
covers, tilt steering column, and dual remote (as distinct from power-operated)
outside mirrors.
Other important standards include dual airbags and side impact door
beams, a footrest for the driver's left foot, and a folding rear bench
seat permitting bigger cargoes.
Our basic tester was equipped with only a few options. In Midwestern
climes a rear window defroster is a bargain at $162. Air conditioning isn't
quite as much of a bargain at $860, but it's essential even in climates
that are short on warm weather and pays off at resale time. The only other
extra-cost item was the uplevel AM/FM four-speaker radio with digital clock
at $234.
A sport coupe worth the name has got to put its power down effectively,
and the Talon/Eclipse range proves it has the go-power to back up its aggressive
styling statement.
The non-turbocharged 140-hp four-cylinder in the base cars is a terrific
little engine that takes maximum advantage of the standard five-speed stick.
Closet Andrettis will get an adrenaline rush from the excellent throttle
response, especially from a standing start.
If you really want to light the afterburners, though, the turbocharged
engine is the way to go, with a capital G. Allied with the all-wheel-drive
system, this engine gives the Talon--or Eclipse--serious sports car capabilities,
with grip to match.
This is a point-and-shoot kind of sporty car with the terrain-following
confidence of a cruise missile. With four drive wheels all scrabbling for
grip at the same time, the turbocharged engine making sweet music at full
song, well, for the driving enthusiast, it just doesn't get much better.
Especially for this kind of money.
Spirited driving, you ask? Positively angelic. Galvanizing handling
prowess across the lineup is due to double-wishbone front arms with coil
springs and shock absorbers and multi-links, coils, and shocks in the rear.
All anchored to a chassis that's rigid enough to make it all work.
The Talon is low to the ground and handles crisply when engaged in high-speed
transitions. The speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering is a bit
numb of road feel but control authority is still first-class.
There are front-drive coupes that carve their way through corners with
a little more authority--the new Honda Prelude comes to mind--but not many.