Talbot-Matra Murena
In the last run of cars Matra built 480 'S' models which were 2.2-litre cars
with the 'Prep 142' modifications included during production. A total of only
10,680 Murena were produced during its short 3 year life, just over half being
1.6 models, and a great car was killed off prematurely to satisfy Matra's new
automotive partner.
The Bagheera mid-engined sports
car had proved popular even
though it was relatively
low-powered and quite expensive
for its time. All the motoring press
and owners loved it but it was
clearly capable of taking more
power. In 1980 Matra developed a
more modern replacement to cure
these and other faults.
The first change was a fully galvanised chassis to halt the corrosion that
afflicted the unprotected Bagheera chassis. This full immersion hot-dipped
galvanising of the whole chassis was another first for Matra. The design was
updated to make it cheaper to produce as well as incorporating a more timeless
beautifully curved shape that was also very aerodynamic; and the engines were
larger and more powerful, giving the higher performance which these cars really
deserved. The unique three abreast seating which gave the interior far more
room than the average sports car was retained as that had proved popular. Like
its predecessor the luggage space was large for this type car, making the
Murena an extremely practical sports car.
The Murena, was introduced to the
motoring press in September 1980 and
was available initially with the Simca
1.6 OHV engine, followed soon after
with a 2.2-litre OHC engine, from
February 1981. Matra actually wanted
the all-alloy 2-litre OHC Douvrin
engine from Renault, but they declined
its availability, so Matra fitted the new
2.2-litre Simca/Talbot engine
developed for the large Tagora
saloon. This was the final development
of the engine first fitted in the
Chrysler 180/2-litre models. It had
about the same power as the newer
Renault but was heavier with a cast
iron block.
The 2.2 Murena was well equipped with everything standard including all radio
equipment except the set itself which was left open to the customer's choice.
The only other extra was metallic paint finish, and yet the car was the
equivalent of under £7,000 all taxes paid, which was less than half the cost of
similar mid and rear-engined glass fibre sports cars of the time. This was
exactly the opposite of the Bagheera which had cost nearly twice the price of
equivalent cars of its time.
The Murena handled extremely well, taking
advantage of the latest 60% low profile
tyres. The car was so good that it could
obviously cope with, and there was a
demand for, even more power, and since
the 2.2-litre had been taken from its saloon
car role with no modifications, the first
upgrade was to offer a dealer fitted
performance kit, comprising of both engine
upgrades and some bodywork 'aero'
modifications. This upgrade carried the title
'Prep 142' after the bhp it produced.
Sales and production of the Murena were just building nicely, when, owing to
negotiations with Renault for the Espace, production was halted on request
from Renault. Once the contract for the Espace was finalised, and the change
of partnership from PSA to Renault formalised, the Murena was to cease
production. Matra could use up all the parts and finish all the Murenas 'in the
pipeline' but then it was to cease in favour of the Espace. Popular opinion
was that the Murena, at less than half the price, was much too good a
competitor for the Renault Alpine built at Dieppe, so it was eliminated.
Matra had been developing the
'4S', a 16-valve engined car to
give it even better performance,
and at the same time some subtle
bodywork improvements to
improve air flow for engine, brake
cooling, and aerodynamics, but
this work had to be dropped with
the Renault contract and the
agreement to cease production.
Murena 1.6
Murena 2.2
Murena 4S
Murena S