Description
The Talbot-Matra Rancho X was a special-edition variant of the Rancho line, created to give Matra’s pioneering leisure vehicle a more refined, upmarket and stylish identity. While the standard Rancho was already a bold and imaginative reinterpretation of the practical estate car, the Rancho X went a step further by adding additional comfort, visual upgrades and a more sophisticated ambience, all while preserving the rugged exploration-themed character that defined the model. It was introduced near the end of the 1970s and remained available into the early 1980s, offering buyers a more polished and better-equipped alternative to the standard versions.
Mechanically, the Rancho X remained true to the standard Simca 1100-based architecture that underpinned all Rancho models. It used the same transversely mounted 1,442 cc Simca inline-four, producing around 80 horsepower and paired with either a four-speed or later five-speed manual gearbox depending on year and market. The car retained its front-wheel-drive layout, as Matra never intended the Rancho to be a true off-roader. Instead, the Rancho X embraced the idea of a leisure-oriented crossover long before such vehicles became a mainstream category. The engine’s torque and flexibility, combined with the Rancho’s modest weight, made it perfectly adequate for rural roads, tracks, campsites and snow-covered lanes.
The suspension system, adapted from the Simca 1100 with MacPherson struts at the front and trailing arms at the rear, gave the Rancho X the same compliant ride and stable road manners as the standard model. Ground clearance was generous enough for soft-roading, and the ruggedised composite bodywork — a blend of steel for the forward structure and fibreglass-reinforced polyester panels for the rear — made the vehicle unusually resistant to corrosion while keeping it light and economical to run.
Where the Rancho X distinguished itself most clearly was in its presentation. Matra aimed to create a more premium-feeling version for buyers who wanted the adventurous image of the Rancho but with added style and comfort. Exterior features typically included special metallic paint finishes, contrasting trim sections, upgraded wheel designs and unique striping or badging. The visual effect was subtler and more sophisticated than the base model’s utilitarian look, yet still unmistakably “Rancho” in character. The signature raised roofline, roof racks, large glazed rear section and robust body extensions were all preserved.
The interior of the Rancho X featured a distinct uplift in refinement. Matra installed higher-quality seat fabrics or velour upholstery, more luxurious trim materials, revised door panels and additional comfort equipment. Depending on the market and year, the X could include features such as improved sound insulation, upgraded carpets, tinted glass, additional storage compartments, unique steering-wheel designs and more elaborate instrument panel decoration. The result was a much more comfortable and welcoming cabin than the standard model, while still maintaining the Rancho’s spacious and practical layout.
In everyday use, the Rancho X delivered the same broad capabilities that made the standard Rancho popular. It was relaxed, easy to drive and comfortable over long distances, with excellent visibility and a commanding seating position. Families appreciated its roomy interior and accessible boot space, while outdoor enthusiasts valued its ability to handle mixed surfaces without fuss. The extra refinement in the X model made it more appealing as a daily driver, broadening its appeal beyond the purely adventurous niche.
The Rancho X was offered during the period when the Matra-Simca brand evolved into Talbot-Matra following Peugeot’s takeover of Chrysler Europe. This transition meant that some examples carry Simca badging and others Talbot, but the specification remained essentially the same. Production lasted until 1984, when Rancho manufacture ended altogether as Matra shifted toward developing the Renault Espace. While not produced in large numbers relative to the standard version, the X is one of the more desirable Rancho variants today thanks to its rarity and enhanced comfort.
Viewed from a modern perspective, the Talbot-Matra Rancho X represents an early attempt at blending rugged image with everyday practicality and premium touches — the same formula that would eventually define the crossover SUV market. It combined Matra’s creativity, lightweight construction techniques and clever packaging with a dash of elegance, making it a standout in the history of French automotive design. The Rancho X remains a charming and unusual vehicle: a stylish, comfortable and imaginative take on the leisure car concept Matra pioneered so successfully.