FirstDrive/Citroën C4 Picasso: This is Citroën's new C4 Picasso, a seven-seat people carrier that's set to seriously revamp the French marque's image in the family market, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
While the current five-seater Xsara Picasso, which has sold in millions, will remain in production for the foreseeable future, this new C4 version is set to compete head-on with the likes of the top-selling Opel Zafira, Toyota Corolla Verso and Renault Grand Scenic, giving the marque a more upmarket image in this segment.
Several weeks ago we got to drive the new car at Citroën's private test track at Belchamp in southeastern France. In a small ante-room beside the track, engineers pulled the covers off the new car as it sat next to its Picasso predecessor.
The differences were striking. While the Xsara version has always been eminently practical, it could never be described as stylish. That's very different from the new model.
People carriers by their very nature are always something of a foregone conclusion when it comes to design, but Citroëen deserves credit for its adding some panache to the traditional boxy template for people carriers.
Taking its design cues from the smart looking C4, the new car is awash with features that will challenge class-leading rivals like the Opel and Renault.
On looks alone it's smarter than its competitors. Perhaps its nearest rival in terms of styling appeal is the new Ford S-Max, but that lacks some of the high-tech touches of the Picasso.
The smart lines and in particular the stylish light clusters at the front and rear give the car a real presence. Another immediate exterior impression is the large amount of glass façade, in particular the sweeping panoramic windscreen that doubles vertical visibility from the 35 degrees in most MPVs to 70 degrees. Citroen also claim it offers the largest sunroof in its class. Then there's the glass panelling in the a-pillars that greatly aids visibility on the road.
Inside and the first change that catches the eye is the radically redesigned dashboard layout. Along with being a lot better finished than its predecessor, all the major controls the driver needs have been relocated to the steering wheel - similar to the regular C4 - and the dashboard is almost devoid of buttons as a result.
Of course this car is not meant to sell on looks alone, and it features all the flexibility of competitors, with the five rear seats folding away simply under the floor, without removing the headrests, to create a flat loadbay.
Access to the back row of seats is by pressing a button on either side of the outer middle seats, whereby the middle row seat cushion flips up towards the seat back and then the whole seat slides towards the front seats in a single movement, allowing passengers into the very back row.
Legroom is not quite as spacious as the likes of the bigger C8. The two very rear seats could accommodate adults for a short trip, but are really designed for children or teenagers. That makes it more of a 5+2 format than a full seven-seater. The car itself measures in at 4.59m long and 1.83m wide. Citroën has increased the bootspace in the new car, now offering 576 litres under the parcel space and about 1,951 litres with the seats folded down.
The C4 Picasso also hosts several new technological and engineering developments for the brand. The highlight is a new six-speed electronic gearbox. Controlled via a stalk on the steering column and through paddle shifters on the steering wheel, it's one of the smoothest transmissions we've encountered in a mainstream model for some time. There's no jerking between gears, and even when changing in semi-automatic mode through the paddle shifts, the changes are impressively smooth.
Other features include a park assist system that scans parking spaces as you drive slowly past. If it finds one that it knows the car will fit into it signals the driver. The car also comes with an electric parking brake and a hill start assist system that prevents the car from rolling on a hill. Apart from these there are also soundproofed windows and an air quality sensor that prevents pollutants entering the cabin.
On versions equipped with Citroën's new six-speed electronic gearbox, the gearshift is mounted on the steering column; manual versions feature a dash-mounted lever. There are individual controls for the air-con system for driver and front passenger on the far ends of the dashboard, and on more expensive models two separate air-con controls for the rear.
On the model we tested there was also a system whereby the air-con could be switched on using the key fob several minutes before you get in the car.
Power comes from a choice of 2-litre 143bhp petrol and 1.6-litre 110bhp or 2-litre 138bhp HDI diesel engines. We tested both petrol and diesel versions, and on the steep inclines of the test track the 2-litre diesel represented the best of the bunch. The ride quality wass greatly assisted by air suspension fitted to the rear of the test cars.
While we spent most of the time in the driving seat, we did manage to travel around in the middle row for a couple of laps. Legroom was slightly compromised by a 6-foot colleague sitting in the very back row, but adults could travel in relative comfort in the middle row.
When we drove the car, Citroën management was still debating whether to carry forward the Picasso name on to the new car. In hindsight they made the right choice, for the current Picasso has won over many family motorists.
There's no doubting the C4 Picasso will do well. After all, the Xsara Picasso did extremely well, and this latest combination of striking looks and extra space should prove a winner.
Factfile:
Format: Seven-seater MPV
Official launch: Paris motor show next month
Due in Ireland: End of year
Engines: 2-litre 143bhp petrol and 1.6-litre 110bhp or 2-litre 138bhp HDI diesel engines
Prices: Not confirmed as yet, but expect them to start in the region of €25,000 to €27,000