Matra Murena History

The Murena arrived in late 1980 as a direct evolution of the Bagheera, sharing the three-abreast seating layout and mid-engine philosophy but addressing the predecessor's two critical weaknesses: insufficient power and a susceptibility to rust. Matra engineers used fully galvanised steel for all chassis parts — the first production car in the world to do so — eliminating the corrosion problems that had plagued the Bagheera.

Two engines were available: a 1.6-litre Poissy unit producing 92 PS and a more muscular 2.2-litre Simca Type 180 engine (developed for the Talbot Tagora) delivering 118 PS. A final limited run of 480 Murena S cars received an uprated twin-carburettor version of the 2.2 producing 142 PS, making the S the most powerful road car Matra ever built under its own name. A 1981 Car magazine review praised its suspension as 'so superb that it need never go slowly.'

Production ended in July 1983 when the Romorantin factory was retooled to build the first-generation Renault Espace. Total output was 10,680 units: 5,640 Murena 1.6, 4,560 Murena 2.2, and 480 Murena S.