Bear in mind the Eagle Talon? Primarily a reskinned Mitsubishi Eclipse from the early Nineties, it is turn into a cult basic on this planet of America tuner tradition. Even should you’ve by no means heard of the Talon, you will be lots accustomed to it after studying this put up — particularly this one, able to beating a McLaren 765LT in a drag race.
Do not be fooled by this McLaren’s flashy sticker equipment — it is bone inventory. Meaning 755 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. With a very good driver and a grippy floor, it might attain 60 mph in lower than three seconds and switch a 10-second quarter-mile, placing it among the many quickest manufacturing vehicles on sale as we speak.
Then there’s the Eagle. This explicit automotive is a 1990 mannequin, relationship again to the Diamond Star period when Chrysler and Mitsubishi had been buddies and Eagle was nonetheless alive. In high trim, the Talon used the identical turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G63 engine and all-wheel-drive system because the Eclipse. This explicit Talon is decidedly not inventory, with the proprietor claiming roughly 800 horsepower on the wheels courtesy of a completely constructed engine. There is a roll cage within the in any other case stripped inside, and sure, there is a parachute on the again.
The McLaren driver discovers why that parachute is critical within the very first race. It was purported to be a heads-up race, however the 765LT jumped the gun. That does not matter, because the Eagle digs itself into the tarmac and takes off. The automotive will get a contact sideways whereas furiously passing the McLaren, charging forward to a victory by two automotive lengths.
This is the place it will get fascinating. To stability issues out, the McLaren will get a automotive size benefit and the hit off the beginning for the following race. However it nonetheless would not matter. The Talon driver’s response time is nearly good, and he rips down the monitor to a different two-car-length win. And simply to flex, he pulls his parachute to decelerate.
Tthis is not an apples-to-apples race, clearly. However it’s good to see an previous Eagle Talon getting some consideration. Typically overshadowed by the Eclipse, these vehicles had been stout performers again within the day. Clearly, this one nonetheless has numerous mojo regardless of its age.