Talbot Murena 1.6 (90 Hp)
Overall Rating
Talbot Murena:
The Matra Murena is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car that was produced from 1980 through 1983 by the French engineering group Matra. The factory was located in the commune of Romorantin-Lanthenay in the department of Loir-et-Cher in central France.
The Murena, whose name is Italian for "Moray", was the successor to the Matra Bagheera, a similar vehicle that resulted from an earlier collaboration between Matra and Simca. Development proceeded under two project names; "M551" for the 1. 6-litre version and "M552" for the 2. 2-litre version. The prototype received designation P-551 and was accompanied by a series of mockups. The Murena inherited the Bagheera's mid-engined layout and hatchback body shape, but substantial changes were made to address some of the problems with the previous model, among which were a lack of power, absence of a 5-speed transmission option, and a chassis extremely prone to rust. Engineering of the car was done entirely by Matra. Greek industrial designer Antonis Volanis, who had contributed to the interior of the earlier Bagheera and been principal designer for the Matra Rancho, headed up the design....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Murena Overview:
Talbot Murena (Murena). A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 0 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Talbot Murena was produced before the establishment of Euro NCAP testing. No official crash test ratings are available for this generation.
1.6 (90 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The entry-level 1.6 (90 Hp) provided adequate performance for daily driving and light spirited use, benefiting from the Murena's lightweight chassis but lacking the punch of larger engines.
Fuel Economy
Likely the most economical option in the Murena lineup, offering reasonable fuel consumption for its time, especially during moderate driving.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Unique three-abreast seating arrangement
- • Lightweight composite body contributes to agile handling
- • Engaging driving experience, especially with larger engines
- • Distinctive and rare classic car appeal
- • Good visibility due to large glass area
Cons:
- • Rust can be an issue on the steel chassis (despite composite body)
- • Parts availability can be challenging due to rarity
- • Interior plastics can feel dated and fragile
- • Limited luggage space
- • Performance of the base 1.6 engine is modest
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Murena: 1980 - 1984).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Talbot |
| Model: | Murena |
| Generation: | Murena |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.6 (90 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1981 |
| End of production: | 1985 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 90 Hp |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |











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