Automotive

Citroen's multi-talented C4 Picasso

Citroen's multi-talented C4 Picasso
Picasso’s top speed is 175 km/h (109 mph) or 209 km/h (130 mph), dependent on the engine option
Picasso’s top speed is 175 km/h (109 mph) or 209 km/h (130 mph), dependent on the engine option
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Triangular windows ahead of the A pillar enhance visibility
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Triangular windows ahead of the A pillar enhance visibility
Driver's quarters are contemporary with supportive seating in subtle colors
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Driver's quarters are contemporary with supportive seating in subtle colors
The oassenger seat includes front leg bolsters that fold down to increase storage space
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The oassenger seat includes front leg bolsters that fold down to increase storage space
Lower seven-inch display provides nav, air control, radio, etc.
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Lower seven-inch display provides nav, air control, radio, etc.
The upper 12-inch screen offers driver's critical information
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The upper 12-inch screen offers driver's critical information
A variety of storage compartments populates the interior
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A variety of storage compartments populates the interior
Lounge pack enhances the rear seat experience
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Lounge pack enhances the rear seat experience
Fold down dash space provides plug in for smartphone, laptop and 12-V items
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Fold down dash space provides plug in for smartphone, laptop and 12-V items
Folding down the five passenger seats provides 537 liters of space, and 630 liters with the front seats pushed up
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Folding down the five passenger seats provides 537 liters of space, and 630 liters with the front seats pushed up
Citroen's Multicity Connect system provides driver's a multitude of information and data
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Citroen's Multicity Connect system provides driver's a multitude of information and data
0 – 100 km/h (62.1 mph) is achieved in 9 – 13.7 seconds, dependent on engine selection
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0 – 100 km/h (62.1 mph) is achieved in 9 – 13.7 seconds, dependent on engine selection
Forward design is contemporary with the large windscreen enhancing visibility
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Forward design is contemporary with the large windscreen enhancing visibility
Glass, lots and lots of glass makes, for one well-lit interior
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Glass, lots and lots of glass makes, for one well-lit interior
A Oower tailgate IS included, as well as 360-degree camera system
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A Oower tailgate IS included, as well as 360-degree camera system
"Get off my roof" will be a familiar cry for the Picasso C4 owner
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"Get off my roof" will be a familiar cry for the Picasso C4 owner
Picasso’s top speed is 175 km/h (109 mph) or 209 km/h (130 mph), dependent on the engine option
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Picasso’s top speed is 175 km/h (109 mph) or 209 km/h (130 mph), dependent on the engine option
Picasso comes with a variety of engines, ranging from gas to diesel options putting out
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Picasso comes with a variety of engines, ranging from gas to diesel options putting out
The new C4 is 308 lb (140 kg) lighter than its predecessor
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The new C4 is 308 lb (140 kg) lighter than its predecessor
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View gallery - 19 images

Recently shown at the Geneva Auto Show the new C4 Picasso is presented as an amalgamation of the mini-van, station wagon and hatchback. Based on a new "Efficient Modular Platform," the latest C4 is 308 lb (140 kg) lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a variety of tricks like an aluminum hood, composite tailgate and other lightweight materials.

Looking at the car in profile, the Picasso appears to be two cars in one. From the forward triangular window back to the color keyed C pillar the Picasso looks like it could be either coming or going. Above and beyond the A and C pillars there appears to be another design covering the fore and aft sections.

"Get off my roof" will be a familiar cry for the Picasso C4 owner
"Get off my roof" will be a familiar cry for the Picasso C4 owner

Up front the vehicle has a stubby, contemporized look, and out back, a standard hatchback treatment. But the side profiling? From the side, there be all sorts of visual incongruities going on. MPV or no, the Picasso may need to see a psychologist for borderline personality disorder. But kudos for the narrow LED light strip flowing back off the stubby nose bits: a nice touch.

Picasso’s new EMP2 platform allowed designer Fréderic Soubirou to bring in his own stylings, but more importantly brought about enhanced architectural specifications. Reduced overhang on the front end, a lower engine block and floor, and wider tracking should translate into better handling and stability. Electric power steering helps reduce road feedback to the driver while new acoustic materials and revised dampers help to further enhance the ride.

Folding down the five passenger seats provides 537 liters of space, and 630 liters with the front seats pushed up
Folding down the five passenger seats provides 537 liters of space, and 630 liters with the front seats pushed up

An e-HDi 90 Airdream engine, mated with a new 6-speed clutchless gearbox, means the Picasso emits only 98 g/km of carbon dioxide while getting 3.8 L/100 km. A variety of gas and diesel engines are available, including Citroen’s e-HDi 115 gas engine with 6-speed manual, or diesel options that deliver power from 92 – 115 hp and 230 – 270 Nm of torque respectively (170 – 200 ft.lbs). A BlueHDi engine that meets Euro 6 standards produces only 110 g/km of CO2 and features an SCR module (selective catalytic reduction) for managing NOx and carbon dioxide emissions.

Citroen pegs the Picasso’s top speed at 175 km/h (109 mph) or 209 km/h (130 mph), dependent on the power options selected. Its acceleration is unlikely to break records, with 0 – 100 km/h (62.1 mph) times coming in at between 9 and 13.7 seconds. But what the Picasso loses in acceleration it makes up for in mileage with impressive figures across the board.

Expansive amounts of external glass work means passengers are exposed to what Citroen denotes as a “loft-styled interior”. Picasso’s full length sunroof, the oversized windscreen and multitude of side windows equates to a glazed area of 5.3 sq m (57.05 sq ft). The car usually seats five passengers, but with rear seats down, storage capacity jumps to a best in class volume of 537 liters, or 630 liters with the front seats pushed up.

Glass, lots and lots of glass makes, for one well-lit interior
Glass, lots and lots of glass makes, for one well-lit interior

The Picasso’s front passenger seat can be folded forward to increase storage. In the back, passengers are treated as equal citizens with adjustable seat backs and fore-aft adjustments. A range of stowage compartments are located about the lofty cabin. A lit stowage compartment in the center of the dashboard, with jack, USB port and 220-V socket for a smartphone or tablet.

The Citroen features a number of first class amenities. A "Vision 360" camera system, similar to Infiniti’s, allows drivers an immediate view of their entire surroundings. "Park Assist," similar to Ford’s parking trickery, is also available long with Active cruise control, active high-beams, a predictive lane departure system and blind spot monitoring.

A full digital, touch-it-all-you-want interface is in place to assist with most everything but the driving. Stacked, one on top of the other, the upper 12-inch interface handles critical driver information while the lower 7” display controls all the in-car functions: dual-zone air conditioning, navigation, audio, telephone, driving aids, connected services, etc.

On the connectivity front, Citroen's Multicity Connect system, a portal for connected applications, is controlled from via the 7-inch touchpad. The multi-function like device provides information for the nearest gas station, hotel, restaurant, weather, traffic updates, etc.

The Citroen C4 Picasso will be launched June 2013 in France.

Source: Citroen

View gallery - 19 images
4 comments
4 comments
BeWalt
Message from a parallel universe: Over here (the North American continent) we still have to suffer commercials pushing vehicles on us that go 23 miles to the gallon (10 liters per 100km), labeled as "fuel efficient". Average Joe here does not know.
It hurts. It hurts so much.
Slowburn
re; BeWalt
Depending on the vehicle 23 mpg is not bad. The M-1 tank getting 3 gallons to the mile was still pound for pound more efficient than the old VW bugs.
Freyr Gunnar
That's the result of decades of higher taxes on gas. Europeans wouldn't mind driving gas guzzlers too, but at over $7/gallon, few people can afford it.
Chris Bedford
You can see its heritage in the Xsara Picasso of the last decade - and it's still an unexciting car to look at.
I'll bet the spares are even more expensive now, too. As of this month, an indicator / light / wiper / radio control stalk assembly for the 2004 Xsara is priced around $ 600; front suspension wishbones about $ 300 each; engine mountings about the same. The overall price of the assembled car seems quite reasonable, but don't try to keep one on the road for more than a couple of years - once it has 50 or 60 thousand miles on the clock, it becomes the proverbial "hole in the road into which you pour money".
I used to think VW spares were pricey until I bought a Citroen. Silly me.