MatraSimca Bagheera
Yes!
The Matra company were responsible for two extremely interesting mid-engined sports cars during the 1960s; its own version of René Bonnet's Djet, and then, in 1967, the first car to be designed entirely by Matra: the M530. Both cars were built around the same ideals of mid-engined layout, low weight, superior aerodynamics and a small engine, in order to deliver speed and economy. The Djet was aimed primarily at the motorsport market, but the M530 was created primarily as a road car for enthusiasts.
However, such was the mood of optimism within the motor industry at the time, many companies sought out expansion, and Matra wanted a piece of the action. Matra's plan was simple: built an inexpensive, yet practical sports car, using as many off-the-shelf components as possible, with a view to increasing sales considerably. However, Matra lacked the distribution network needed in order to sell widely, and if it wanted to keep the final selling price of its next car down to a manageable level, it would need to enter an accord with a larger carmaker.
In 1973, Matra found its partner in the form of Chrysler France. Chrysler's SIMCA division had built up an enviable position of strength by the early 1970s, selling 1000s by the boat load, whilst also boasting France's best-selling car, in the shape of the 1100. However, the SIMCA range lacked a sporting car to head the range, and following the Chrysler-SIMCA 160/180's failure to make a significant impact on the market, a vital shot of glamour seemed a necessity to the French management. So, the deal was a match made in heaven - Matra gained access to Chrysler/SIMCA's hardware and distribution network, and Chrysler gained a sports car, with which to fight Renault-Alpine.
Although the M530 had been considered aerodynamic by the standards of its time, Matra felt that there was considerable room for improvement, and ensured that the new car (intended to be called the M550 at this time) included lessons learned during more recent aerodynamic research. Matra was also very keen on offering a sporting car that offered accomodation for more than two people. However, as the company's idea was to produce an inexpensive car, using one of SIMCA's off-the-shelf engines, the idea of producing a 2+2 car was not really on, as it would have increased the size and weight too much. So, in an interesting twist, Matra designed the M550 slightly wider than the norm, and designed it around a three-seat abreast configuration. In a car of this size, this was a highly unusual, but acceptable levels of shoulder room could be released if it was designed with convex flanks (in plan view).
Quite rightly, it was considered essential for the styling to be just right: dramatic, yet aerodynamic; realistic to produce in number, yet more advanced than the M530. The M550 was originally penned by Jean Toprieux, but was further developed by Jacques Nochet and Antoine Volanis. Their role in the styling process was to produce an arresting Ferrari-like design, that would meet the practical requirements laid out for it by the company's management.
Interestingly, a McLaren F1-style central driving position was mooted during the design phase, but the idea was soon dropped on the grounds of costs and practicality.
The SIMCA engine chosen to power the M550 - renamed "Bagheera" (yes it was named after the "Jungle Book" character) - was 1294cc engine, taken from the 1100TI model, and it produced a more than healthy 82bhp. The end result was a car that was pleasantly quick (112mph maximum speed, 0-60mph in 12 seconds), given its low kerb-weight (a featherweight at 885kg) and excellent aerodynamics, but was also highly economical (no lower than 30mpg, no matter how hard one drove it). Therefore, it achieved the goals that Matra set for it.
The Bagheera was rigorously tested (from Saharan Mauritania to Lapland) to ensure that the tightly packaged car worked in all conditions. There were some teething troubles with interior cooling (especially the luggage area!), but on the whole, testing passed without much in the way of incident. This was probably as much down to its tried and trusted engine, gearbox and suspension components, as Matra's construction technniques. The development programme, therefore, was completed rapidly, and it was time to roll-out the car to the critics...
Source:
http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-bagheera.html
