| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1980 |
| Production Years: | 1980 - 1985 discontinued in 1985 |
The Talbot Murena is a distinctive coupe produced by the French automaker Talbot between 1980 and 1985. As a unique model of its era, the Murena was designed to offer both sporty performance and comfortable road presence. Although exact dimensions are not widely publicized, the Murena's design typically reflects the compact yet muscular proportions common among European sports coupes of the early 1980s. The car features a length roughly around 4.2 meters (approximately 13.8 feet), a width in the vicinity of 1.7 meters (about 5.6 feet), and a height near 1.3 meters (roughly 4.3 feet), housing a sleek two-door coupe body style that emphasizes aerodynamics and style. The Murena was notable for its fiberglass body panels, contributing to a relatively light weight that supported nimble handling and spirited driving dynamics. In comparison to its contemporaries, the Murena's size places it in the compact coupe segment, offering a balance between agility and interior space. Its production spanned five years, during which it established a niche following for those attracted to Talbot's rare and innovative engineering. The Talbot Murena remains a classic example of 1980s European sports coupes, blending moderate dimensions with distinctive design cues, making it a compelling option for enthusiasts interested in compact sports coupes from this period.
Discover the standout features that make the 1980 Talbot Murena a leader in its class
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The Talbot Murena, produced from 1980 to 1985, is a compact coupe with a length of approximately 4,200 mm (165.4 inches), a width around 1,720 mm (67.7 inches), and a height of about 1,280 mm (50.4 inches). These dimensions reflect its sporty yet compact design, aimed at providing balanced driving dynamics and a sleek, aerodynamic profile typical for coupes of its era.
The Talbot Murena has a wheelbase of 2,540 mm (100 inches). This relatively short wheelbase contributes to better agility and nimble handling characteristics, making the coupe well-suited for spirited driving. It also affects interior space, providing a snug cabin with limited rear seat legroom, which is typical for sporty coupes focused more on driver experience than passenger comfort.
The curb weight of the Talbot Murena is approximately 1,100 to 1,150 kg (around 2,425 to 2,535 lbs), depending on the specific model and equipment. This relatively light weight for a coupe of its class enabled the car to deliver a more responsive and dynamic driving experience, improving acceleration, braking, and cornering capabilities, while also contributing to fuel efficiency.
The Talbot Murena is designed as a 2+2 coupe, accommodating up to four passengers. However, due to its compact size and sporty design, rear passenger space is limited, primarily suitable for smaller adults or children. The cockpit offers a driver-focused layout, and while the front seats are comfortable, the rear seats are tight in both legroom and headroom, reflecting the Murena's emphasis on style and sportiness over spaciousness.
Yes, the Talbot Murena, with a length of roughly 4.2 meters (13.8 feet), width of 1.72 meters (5.6 feet), and height just over 1.28 meters (4.2 feet), fits comfortably within standard residential garages, which typically accommodate vehicles up to around 5 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width. Owners should still ensure adequate clearance when opening doors or maneuvering in tight garage spaces, especially considering storage or shelving inside the garage.
The Talbot Murena is a direct successor to the Talbot Matra Murena (which was actually the same model but considering its development from the earlier Matra Bagheera), maintaining a very similar size and layout. Both share the same basic chassis and body form, with slight refinements in dimensions for improved aerodynamics and interior space. The Murena remained compact, with a similar wheelbase and external measurements, but it featured updates that subtly enhanced comfort and usability without significant size changes.
Compared to other early 1980s coupes such as the Peugeot 505 Coupe or the Renault Fuego, the Talbot Murena is generally smaller and lighter. It emphasizes sporty dynamics over luxury or space, with a lower height and compact footprint aimed at agility. While some contemporaries focused more on passenger comfort or technology, the Murena’s size reflects a purist approach to sports coupe design, distinguishing it in the market for enthusiasts seeking a nimble and distinctive vehicle.
The Talbot Murena provides modest cargo space typical of coupes in its category, with a trunk capacity of approximately 300 liters (about 10.6 cubic feet). This cargo capacity is sufficient for daily use or weekend trips but limited compared to larger sedans or hatchbacks. The rear seats do not fully fold down, which limits the potential for extended cargo volume, emphasizing the car's priority towards style and driving experience rather than utility.
The Talbot Murena has a ground clearance of roughly 140 mm (5.5 inches), which reflects its sporty coupé design and low stance. This relatively low clearance improves aerodynamic efficiency and handling stability but means caution is needed on uneven or rough roads to avoid undercarriage damage. The low profile is consistent with the Murena’s focus on performance-oriented driving rather than off-road or rugged use.
Yes, the Talbot Murena is notable for its three-abreast seat design inside the cabin, a rare feature in coupes. Despite its compact dimensions, this engineering solution allowed it to offer seating for three in the front—a unique trait compared to the usual two-seat configuration found in similar vehicles. The Murena’s streamlined body and integrated bumpers also contributed to a cleaner aerodynamic profile, helping it stand out in the early 1980s coupe market for both design innovation and driving character.
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