Two trim levels carried the torch forward, a base front-wheel drive ESi model sporting a normally-aspirated 140-hp 4-cylinder at 6,000 rpm with 130 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, joined to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, and the overachieving all-wheel drive Eagle TSi, boasting a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-L 4-cylinder good for 210-hp at 6,000 rpm and 214 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.
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| Even after nine years, nothing else in its class comes close to the Talon TSi in terms of performance. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
To put things into perspective, almost nine years after the Talon TSi entered the market nothing comes close to comparing. Toyota's Celica GT-S only offers a 1.8-L with 180-hp and 130 lb-ft of torque while the 2.0-L engine in Acura's RSX puts out a more serious 200-hp with 142 lb-ft of torque. The current Mitsubishi Eclipse (now in Canada), Chrysler Sebring Coupe (U.S. only), and Dodge Stratus Coupe (U.S. only), max out at 200-hp apiece with only 205 lb-ft of torque, while their V6 engines and front-wheel drive architecture don't lend to as sporty a driving experience, but were purposely built to with broader appeal in mind.
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| The Talon TSi is a quick machine, zipping to 100 km/h in well under 7 seconds, and with easy modifications that number drops greatly. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
The fact that the Diamondstar coupes took such a drastic change in direction, away from sport at all costs and over to sport/luxury, has had a great deal to do with making used Talons so popular. After all, in stock form the TSi is quite a quick machine, zipping to 100 km/h in well under 7 seconds. Of course, being equipped with a turbo makes the it susceptible to Dr. Tuner's scalpel, with the majority of TSi's having gone through day surgery for chip and exhaust replacement at the very least, substantially increasing at-the-wheel horsepower. Depending on your priorities, you'll either want to look for a modified car or stay far away.