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'{{Infobox automobile | image = Talbot Matra Murena vr red.jpg | name = Matra Murena | aka = Talbot-Matra Murena | manufacturer = [[Matra]] | production = 1980–1983 | predecessor = [[Matra Bagheera]] | successor = | class = [[Sports car]] | layout = [[MR layout]] | body_style = 3-door [[hatchback]] | engine = 1.6&nbsp;L ''[[Simca Poissy engine|Poissy engine]]'' [[ohv]] [[straight-4|I4]]<br>2.2&nbsp;L ''[[Simca Type 180|Type 180]]'' [[ohc]] [[straight-4|I4]] | transmission = 5-speed [[manual transmission|manual]]<ref name="murenanl">{{cite web|url=http://www.matramurena.nl/files/demurena/documentatie/folder1981/Murena%20Folder%201981%20(15).jpg|title=Murena Folder 1981 (15)|work=MatraMurena.nl --- Alles over de Matra Murena|accessdate=2006-08-20|language=nl}} (now defunct)</ref> | wheelbase = {{convert|2435|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="murenanl"/> | length = {{convert|4070|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="murenanl"/> | width = {{convert|1752|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="murenanl"/> | height = {{convert|1220|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="murenanl"/> | weight = {{convert|930|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}-{{convert|1030|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="murena-registration">Murena registration at ''[https://ovi.rdw.nl/default.aspx?kenteken=XV-58-SP Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer''] (Dutch vehicle registration office)</ref> | related = [[Simca 1307|Talbot Solara]], [[Talbot Tagora]] (engine), [[Citroën CX]] (gearbox), [[Chrysler Horizon|Talbot Horizon]] (rear lights, steering rack, front suspension), [[Renault 12]] (front indicator/standing lights), [[Peugeot 505]] (door handles) | designer = [[Antonis Volanis]] }} The '''Matra Murena''' was a 3-seat single row [[sports car]] with mid-engined rear wheel drive, produced from 1980 through 1983 by the [[France|French]] engineering group [[Matra]]. The Murena replaced the [[Matra Bagheera]], a similar vehicle resulting from previous Matra-[[Simca]] cooperation, and was largely based on its predecessor. Referred to as project "M551" during development, the Murena employed the base Bagheera structure, but substantial changes were made to address some of the concerns regarding the previous model. The car still had a steel spaceframe with body panels made of [[fibreglass]]-[[polyester]], but to counter the rust issues plaguing the Bagheeras, the spaceframe was [[galvanization|galvanised]].<ref name="rootes-murena">{{cite web|url=http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-murena.html|title=Development of the Matra Murena cars|work=Rootes-Chrysler.co.uk &ndash; Rootes Group, Chrysler Europe, SIMCA, and Talbot cars|accessdate=2006-08-20}}</ref> The Murena was actually the first production car to use galvanised steel for all chassis parts. This, coupled with the composite panels, made the car essentially immune to rust, except for the rear [[trailing arm]]s of the suspension.<ref name="Murena Maniac">{{cite web|url=http://members.fortunecity.com/matra2/|title=Matra Murena Maniac|accessdate=2006-08-20}}</ref> The Murena also inherited the Bagheera's [[mid-engined]] layout together with the sleek [[hatchback]] body shape, with the rear hatch allowing access to the engine mounted behind the passenger compartment, and a luggage area. The styling was all-new, though, and the body very aerodynamic for its time.<ref name="rootes-murena"/><ref name="matrasport.dk">{{cite web|url=http://www.matrasport.dk/Cars/Murena/history.html|title=Talbot Matra Murena|work=MatraSport.dk by Lennart Sorth|accessdate=2006-08-20}}</ref> A unique feature carried over from the previous model was the seating arrangement - all three seats were placed in one row, with the middle seat folding down to become an armrest when not in use by a passenger.<ref name="Murena Maniac"/> The engine selection was different, however. The base model had a 1.6 engine, while the more powerful version employed the 2.2 (Chrysler France engine), which also served as the base engine for the top of the range [[Talbot Tagora]] saloon.<ref name="matrasport.dk"/> This engine was also available with the so-called "Prep 142 kit" that upgraded its output from 84.3 KW to 101.4 KW power rating. At first, this was a dealer-fitted option, but the last 480 Murena direct from the factory had this uprated engine as standard and these were called the Murena S.<ref name="rootes-murena"/> The standard carburation was via a single [[Solex]] down-draught carburettor, but S models had twin side-draught [[Solex]] carburettors. The car had good performance and handling. It was only available in left hand drive specification, although a very small number of right hand drive conversions were made. Production of the Matra Murena was discontinued in 1983, when the Matra factory in [[Romorantin]] switched to production of the [[Renault Espace]] multi-people carrier. == Gallery == {{gallery |File:Talbot Matra Murena hl red.jpg|Talbot Matra Murena |File:Matra_Murena_S.jpg|Murena S |File:Matra_Murena_and_Murena_S,_rear.jpg|Rear view |}} {{Clear}} == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commonscat|Talbot-Matra Murena}} *[http://www.matra-club.net Matra Club UK] *[http://www.espace-murena.com/recensement.html International Murena Register] *[http://www.matraclub.com Matra Club Portugal] [[Category:1980s automobiles]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1980]] [[Category:Matra vehicles|Murena]] [[Category:Mid-engined automobiles]] [[Category:Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Simca vehicles|Matra Bagheera]] [[Category:Sports cars]]'