In short, the 420A engine was used in a small, specific set of North American-market cars in the early 1990s: the non-turbo versions of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Eagle Talon, and the Plymouth Laser.
This article explains which models carried the 420A, why the engine appeared in those cars, and how the lineup fits into the broader DSM-era partnership between Mitsubishi and its North American partners. It also notes the years these applications were commonly offered and what made the 420A distinctive within that era’s engines.
Factory applications
Below are the primary production vehicles that shipped with the 420A engine in North America, in the non-turbo configurations. The 420A served as the standard or base 2.0-liter option for these models during the early 1990s.
- Mitsubishi Eclipse (1990–1994, non-turbo)
- Eagle Talon (1990–1994, non-turbo)
- Plymouth Laser (1990–1994, non-turbo)
These three models formed the core trio commonly associated with the 420A in the United States and Canada, reflecting the Mitsubishi-based platform shared across the lineup.
Model-by-model details
Mitsubishi Eclipse (1990–1994, non-turbo)
The early non-turbo Eclipse offered the 420A as the base 2.0-liter engine option in North American markets. It provided a more affordable entry point into the Eclipse range, alongside turbocharged variants that used different powertrains.
Eagle Talon (1990–1994, non-turbo)
The Talon’s non-turbo configuration mirrored the Eclipse’s base setup, using the 420A for buyers who wanted sport compact styling with modest performance and good daily drivability.
Plymouth Laser (1990–1994, non-turbo)
The Plymouth Laser completed the DSM trio with the 420A in its non-turbo form, offering similar engineering and dimensions as its sibling models while bearing the Plymouth badge.
Summary
During the early 1990s, the 420A engine powered the non-turbo versions of three closely related cars in North America: the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser. This engine represented Mitsubishi’s 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder design within the DSM alliance, contributing to a shared platform across badge-engineered variants. If you’re researching or restoring a DSM-era vehicle and you encounter a 420A, the likely candidates are these three models and their corresponding model years.