The Mitsubishi Eclipse Had 2 Siblings Most People Have Never Heard Of
Compact sports cars were a common sighting in the nineties. One of them, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, ran from 1990 to 2012. While the Eclipse is recognized for its unique styling and affordable performance, it actually had two lesser-known siblings. Let’s talk about the Plymouth Laser and the Eagle Talon.
Diamond-Star Motors
The “DSM trio” – including the Eclipse, Laser, and Talon – was built under a joint venture between Mitsubishi and Chrysler. The collaboration produced the vehicles under the name Diamond-Star Motors.
Starting in 1990, the three cars hopped off the production line in Normal, Illinois (Chrysler land). All offered 195 horsepower with a turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder. The trio each had all-wheel-drive options and touted 0-60 times of less than seven seconds.
The Plymouth Laser
The Plymouth Laser was, like its siblings, a hatchback coupe. It was available with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The 1990 Laser was on the “edgier” side, with generous, almost boxy side body molding and pop-up headlights. All three models of the DSM featured an offset “hood hill” on the driver’s side of the hood panel. “Plymouth” is stamped in all caps on the left front of the bumper.
In 1991, the body became smoother. Black trim still belted around mid-body. The hideaway headlamps were still there. You’ll still see the DSM signature thin and lengthy headlight assemblies that almost touch in the front middle. The wheel styling was also switched to the many-spoked nest-like 16-inch alloy rims.
For 1992, the Laser was granted even lower, sleeker body lines. As such, the back half of the ’92 Laser had near-Camaro vibes. The pop-up lights were deleted.
By 1995, the Laser was dropped. Its siblings carried on.
The Eagle Talon
As essentially the same car as the Eclipse and the Laser, the Eagle Talon was built from 1990 to 1998. It offered the turbocharged inline-four with either all- or rear-wheel-drive and a five-speed manual or automatic.
In terms of styling, you’ll find two generations. 1990-1994 will be the first gen, and 1995-1998 carry the second.
In 1990, it differed from the Laser in that it was already somewhat seeker, with simpler body styling. Of course, it still had the hood hill and pop-up headlamps.
By 1998, you’ll find the bubbly, compact body almost cartoonish with its low, pinched-off roundness.
After that, only the Mitsubishi Eclipse would go on until 2012. While similarly styled to its sibling early on, it’s widely recognized by enthusiasts for its, well, wide and round late-model back end.
Sources: Mitsubishi, Driving Line, Classic.com
