Talbot Matra Murena History

The Murena was a wedge-shaped, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports coupé built by French engineering firm Matra and sold from 1980 as the Talbot Matra Murena, succeeding the Matra Bagheera. Like its predecessor it featured an unusual three-abreast seating layout and used a galvanised chassis for superior corrosion resistance.

Offered with 1.6-litre and 2.2-litre engines — the 2.2 available in a sportier 'Préparation 142' tune — the Murena was a genuine driver's car with mid-engine balance and a composed chassis. Total production was 10,680 cars before it ended in July 1983, when Matra's Romorantin factory was converted to produce the first Renault Espace, making the Murena the last of the mid-engined Matra sports cars.