Description
The Matra-Simca Bagheera X was introduced in 1977 as a special edition designed to give Matra’s innovative mid-engined 2+2+1 sports coupé a more distinctive, upmarket and contemporary identity. Positioned alongside the standard models and the sportier Bagheera S, the Bagheera X placed emphasis on style, comfort and visual individuality rather than outright performance. It represented Matra’s attempt to offer a more luxurious, better-equipped version of the Bagheera without altering the car’s underlying engineering or core character.
The X followed the same formula that defined the entire Bagheera range: a pressed-steel monocoque chassis combined with lightweight fibreglass-reinforced polyester body panels. This hybrid construction allowed Matra to create striking, aerodynamic shapes while resisting corrosion and keeping manufacturing costs low. The mid-engined layout — with the drivetrain mounted transversely behind the three front seats — provided excellent balance, stable handling and generous cabin space for such a compact car.
Mechanically, the Bagheera X remained close to the standard 1.3-litre models. Power came from Simca’s 1,294 cc inline-four producing around 84 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. While not as powerful as the Bagheera S, the X benefitted from the chassis’ low weight — around 900 kg — allowing lively performance, a willing engine character and a top speed around 170 km/h (105 mph). The driving experience was defined less by outright acceleration and more by agility, balance and the unique sensation of mid-engined stability in an affordable GT.
Suspension remained fully independent, with wishbones and coil springs at the front and trailing arms with coil springs at the rear. This setup provided predictable handling, minimal body roll and safe, neutral cornering behaviour. Steering was light and communicative, and braking — with front discs and rear drums — was effective given the car’s low mass. The Bagheera X was never intended as a harder-edged version; instead, it offered the standard car’s engaging, confidence-inspiring dynamics wrapped in a more stylish and visually distinctive package.
Where the Bagheera X set itself apart was in its presentation. Matra treated it as a fashion-oriented variant, and it received exclusive trim features designed to emphasise its modern, youthful character. The X was typically finished in bold colours with contrasting accents. Many examples featured matte-black detailing along the lower body, unique striping, special alloy wheels and “X” badging, giving the car a sharper, more contemporary edge than the standard versions. The pop-up headlights, long wedge-shaped nose and smooth flanks remained unchanged, preserving the aerodynamic, forward-looking shape characteristic of the Bagheera range.
Inside, the X received its own signature touches. The triple-across seating layout — with the driver slightly ahead of the side passengers — remained a defining element, providing practicality unmatched by other small sports cars of the era. The Bagheera X was typically fitted with exclusive upholstery patterns, updated trim materials, distinctive colours and a more modern interior ambience than the base models. Instruments were grouped within a driver-focused dashboard, and despite being compact, the cabin felt bright and airy thanks to thin pillars and a large, sloping windscreen.
On the road, the Bagheera X behaved exactly as a Bagheera should: nimble, balanced and enjoyable. Its modest power output did not prevent it from feeling lively thanks to short gearing and low weight. The car tracked faithfully through corners, its mid-engine layout providing neutral behaviour and strong grip when driven smoothly. The X was designed as a stylish and pleasant touring companion rather than a tuned variant, and in that regard it excelled.
Production of the Bagheera X ran alongside the later Series II cars and contributed to Matra’s continued success through the late 1970s. It appealed to buyers who wanted something more distinctive than the base model but who did not require the performance upgrades of the Bagheera S.
Today, the Matra-Simca Bagheera X is one of the more unusual and collectible versions of the Bagheera line. Its combination of distinctive styling, practical three-seat layout and mid-engine balance gives it enduring charm, and its rarity makes it a notable highlight for enthusiasts of Matra’s inventive and unconventional engineering philosophy. It stands as a colourful and stylish expression of the Bagheera concept: light, aerodynamic, imaginative and unmistakably French.