Matra Djet
| Company type | Automotive manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Fate | Acquired by Matra in 1964 |
| Headquarters | Champigny-sur-Marne (René Bonnet), Romorantin-Lanthenay (Matra) , France |
| Products | Djet sports car |
The Djet is a French sports car initially created and marketed by Automobiles René Bonnet from 1962 to 1964, and subsequently by Matra between 1965 and 1967. It holds the distinction of being the first production road vehicle globally to feature a rear mid-engine configuration. Throughout its production, it appeared under several names including René Bonnet Djet, Matra-Bonnet Djet, Matra Sports Djet, and Matra Sports Jet.
Djet
Launched in June 1962 as the René Bonnet Djet (later referred to as Djet I), this model was equipped with a 1,108 cc Renault 8 engine positioned mid-ship, paired with a gearbox sourced from the Renault Estafette van. This setup allowed the car to achieve a top speed of , which was improved to in the subsequent Djet III version powered by a Gordini engine. The body was crafted from fiberglass by Matra's Générale d'Applications Plastiques facility located in Romorantin and was bonded onto a steel chassis constructed and assembled at Bonnet’s factory in Champigny-sur-Marne. This method ensured cost-efficiency while maintaining lightweight characteristics and simplifying repairs.
Developed under an agreement with Renault to compete across various racing categories, only versions with 1,000 and 1,100 cc engines were manufactured. The competition-oriented Aérodjet model of 1963 incorporated aerodynamic modifications designed for racing and took part in prestigious events such as the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The suspension system was advanced for its time, featuring fully independent upper and lower A-arms with coil springs, complemented by disc brakes on all four wheels. Due to the engine’s placement eliminating rear seating, the car accommodated only two occupants and weighed approximately . With an overall length of mm, it preceded the De Tomaso Vallelunga as the earliest mid-engined production road vehicle. Before Matra's acquisition in 1964, production totaled 198 units; Matra then manufactured an additional 1,491 examples until the model’s discontinuation in 1968.
At its debut, the price was set at 20,000 French francs—comparable to larger competitors such as the Facel-Vega Facellia. Despite offering strong performance figures, the Djet lacked refinement. Its fiberglass construction transmitted considerable noise inside the cabin, and although Bonnet anticipated that motorsport achievements would boost sales, commercial success remained limited.
Matra takes control
Facing financial challenges, René Bonnet Automobiles was acquired by Matra in October 1964—Matra had already been supplying the Djet’s bodywork and manufacturing facilities. Production of the original Djet model ended in December of that year. Marcel Chassagny, Matra’s President, perceived this acquisition as a strategic entry into the automotive sector and appointed Jean-Luc Lagardère, formerly of competitor Avions Marcel Dassault, to head Matra Sports and Engins Matra divisions. Meanwhile, ex-Simca designer Philippe Guédon was commissioned to revise the Bonnet Djet. The redesigned car grew slightly in size—measuring 4220 mm long, 1500 mm wide, and 1200 mm high—and its weight increased to 660 kg. Production recommenced in April 1965 with two new variants: the Matra-Bonnet Djet V and the more powerful Djet V S equipped with a Gordini-tuned powerplant.
During his visit to France in 1965, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was presented with a Matra-Bonnet Djet V S coupé by the French government. Over time, manufacturing shifted from Bonnet’s original facility to Matra’s plant in Romorantin-Lanthenay.
Following the Paris Motor Show in 1965, both Roman numerals and the Bonnet name were dropped; the model was then branded as Matra Sports Djet 5. In 1966, with introduction of a larger Gordini engine variant, the name changed from Djet to Jet. The lineup consisted of Jet 5 (powered by a 1,108 cc Renault 8 Major engine), Jet 5 S (with a Gordini-tuned 1,108 cc Renault engine), and Jet 6 (featuring a larger 1,255 cc Renault Gordini engine).
René Bonnet Djet
The René Bonnet Djet was available in four distinct versions:
- Djet I
- Powered by a 1,108 cc Renault 8 Major engine delivering 72 PS, achieving a maximum speed of 165 km/h
- Djet II
- Equipped with a 1,108 cc Renault 8 Gordini engine producing 80 PS, capable of reaching 190 km/h
- Djet III / IV
- Featured 996 cc dual overhead camshaft engines with outputs of either 80 or 100 PS, tailored for racing purposes
Between 1962 and 1964, only 198 units of the René Bonnet Djet were manufactured, predominantly the Djet I variant.
Matra-Bonnet Djet / Matra Sports Djet / Matra Sports Jet
Produced from 1965 to 1967, Matra introduced three versions:
- Djet V / Djet 5 / Jet 5
- Utilized a 1,108 cc Renault 8 Major engine with 70 PS, reaching speeds up to 170 km/h
- Djet V S / Djet 5 S / Jet 5 S
- Fitted with a 1,108 cc Renault 8 Gordini engine delivering 90 PS and a top speed of 190 km/h
- Jet 6
- Powered by a larger 1,255 cc Renault Gordini engine producing 105 PS, capable of attaining 210 km/h
An upscale edition included a wooden dashboard and enlarged bumpers.
Production ceased in 1967 after a total output of 1,495 Matra (D)Jets. The model was succeeded by the Matra 530. The final Jets sold in 1968 were exclusively Jet 6 variants.
Technical specifications
| Matra Djet | ||||||||||||||
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Maximum horsepower | Maximum torque | Dry weight | Top speed | Production years | Launch price | Units produced | |||||
| Djet I (C.B.R 1) |
C1E | 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) | 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) at 5,800 rpm | 84 N⋅m (62.0 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm | 610 kg (1,344.8 lb) | 170 km/h (105.6 mph) | 1962-1964 | 18,000 FF | 159 | |||||
| Djet I (C.B.R 2) |
80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) at 6,500 rpm | 175 km/h (108.7 mph) | 1962-1964 | 25,000 FF | ||||||||||
| Djet II | Renault | 996 cc (60.8 cu in) | 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) at 6,500 rpm | 180 km/h (111.8 mph) | 1963-64 | 21,000 FF | 34 | |||||||
| Djet III2 | 996 cc (60.8 cu in) 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) |
80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) at 6,500 rpm 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 6,500 rpm |
- | 175 km/h (108.7 mph) 200 km/h (124.3 mph) |
1963-64 | 25,000 FF | 161 | |||||||
| Djet IV2 | 30,000 FF | |||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'Aérodjet\'\'\'2 | Renault | 996 cc (60.8 cu in) 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) |
65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) at 6,000 rpm | - | - | 155 km/h (96.3 mph) | 1963 | 20,000 FF | 5 | |||||
| '\'\'\'Djet V\'\'\'3 | C1E | 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) | 70 PS (51 kW; 69 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 84 N⋅m (62.0 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm | 615 kg (1,355.8 lb) | 175 km/h (108.7 mph) | 1964-1968 | 19,800 FF | 916 | |||||
| '\'\'\'Djet V S\'\'\'3 | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) at 6,500 rpm | 98 N⋅m (72.3 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 660 kg ([convert: unit mismatch]) | 187 km/h (116.2 mph) 200 km/h (124.3 mph) |
1964-1967 | 23,000 FF | 355 | |||||||
| '\'\'\'Jet 6\'\'\' | Type 812 | 1,255 cc (76.6 cu in) | 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at6,750 rpm | 98 N⋅m (72.3 lb⋅ft) at4,000 rpm | 740 kg (1,630 lb) | Template:Cvt200 kph mph | 1966-1968 | 23,800 FF | 222 | |||||
| '\'\'\'Note:\'\'\' 1Estimated figure derived from varying sources that include or omit Djet III and Djet IV in total production through to1964. 2Models intended for competition 3Rebranding sequence: Djet V renamed to Djet5 in1965 and subsequently Jet5 in1966; the same applies to Djet V S. | ||||||||||||||