While the M530's German V4 was not the most exciting foreign engine available, by the mid 70's there were better units available than the pushrod 1294 and 1442 for the Bagheera - but they weren't French!
Equally the Chrysler 180 derived 2.2 engine wasn't great, but Citroen thought it worthy of the BX 4TC.
The Murena was designed to have the original PRV Douvrin 2.0 all alloy engine, but Renault decided it would compete with the Fuego. Two fine cars but competitors?