get from a sporty-looking car is that people look at us driving it. It's

as American as apple pie to like to be seen tooling around in a cool new

ride.

We won't speculate on why that's so (save that for Psychology Today),

but it explains a great deal about the appeal of the 1997 Eagle Talon line-up,

as well as its tribe of identical cousins from Mitsubishi, surname Eclipse.

People on the sidewalk pick this smart-looking coupe out of traffic as

it flies past--and since it's an Eagle-brand car from Chrysler, flying

is, naturally, what it likes to do best.

Talons and Eclipses are built in Mitsubishi's factory in Normal, Illinois,

sharing major sheetmetal and virtually identical interiors as well as subdural

mechanical bits. Ob-servations made concerning the Talon, therefore, also

apply to the Eclipse.

The Talon/Eclipse duo comprise a modern range of sporty cars that provide

ample driving fun, with engine options from mild to wild--if your definition

of mild power in a base model starts at a whacking 140 hp. Turbocharging

and all-wheel-drive models add another order of magnitude to the driving

excitement. And the Eclipse adds the option of a soft top, new to the lineup

last year and available only in the Mitsubishi version.

These cars are way stylish and big fun to drive, even in entry-level

form.

powertrain spread. With these impressive engine/transmission combos, a

buyer can customize the car to personal driving preferences while retaining

a laudable edge in fuel economy. Any blend of these choices will give you

a ride that can make your day on a sunny Sunday morning.

The front-drive base Talon (from $14,594, including destination) and

slightly uplevel Talon ESi (from $15,365) are powered by a 2.0-liter dual

overhead cam four-cylinder with 16 valves for heavy breathing. The engine

sends 140 horsepower through a standard-equipment five-speed manual gearbox

and runs on 87 octane unleaded fuel. If you prefer an automatic transmission,

add $745.

The standard engine is a decent performer with the automatic--and a

blue-ribbon little pot-boiler with the stick, with which you can take better

advantage of the available power and torque. It's a high-tech powerplant,

and also hearty foundation for the turbocharged version.

The front-drive Talon TSi (from $18,550) and full-time all-wheel-drive

Talon TSi AWD (from $20,806) are the turbocharged editions, with the same

transmission choices--manual standard, automatic optional. The pressurized

engine pounds out 210 hp (205 hp with the automatic) on 91 octane unleaded

gasoline. We gotta tell you right now that this engine is an electrifying

actor, especially in the earth-magnet TSi AWD.

If you like an open air option, the soft top Spyder Eclipse is available

in turbo (the GS-T, $25,960) and normally aspirated (the GS, from $20,160).

Redesigned in 1994, these are arguably the best looking small sport

coupes--and convertibles--in the business. From a smoothly contoured front

end to the rounded tail, like a high-performance aircraft there's hardly

a straight edge or corner on the entire surface. The design delivers a

feeling of speed before the ignition key is even turned. Eagle Talons are

differentiated from their Mitsubishi Eclipse kin by unique fascias and

option-package mixes, but the cars are fundamentally very similar in appearance

regardless of the nameplate.

Assembly quality and overall finish is exceptionally high. Our Talon

tester was as solid as a bank vault, keeping road and traffic noise efficiently

at bay.

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.

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.

price, and deserve a test-drive if you're shopping in this segment. With

assertive styling and superlative capability in a tidy package, the car

is a fine alternative in personal sporty transportation that has the added

dimension of dynamite good looks.

What we appreciate most is the effort to provide exciting value and

performance to a wide spectrum of drivers. From a powerful normally aspirated

four-cylinder engine to a turbocharged all-wheel-drive hot-rod, the Eagle

Talon/Mitsubishi Eclipse show commendable dexterity.

Even in the base car, you always feel like you're piloting a more powerful,

more expensive coupe. And you know you're lookin' good.