For the month of May the Citroen C4 Picasso in its 2.0 litre petrol automatic and 2.0 litre HDi automatic variants share the same recommended retail price (RRP) of $39,990.

“People movers are, for obvious reasons, predominantly bought by families and it is families who are usually the first to feel the affects of a tightening economy,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia. “So we have moved to make the best family car on the market even more accessible in the diesel version, which will go on saving money throughout its life on the road, as well as saving at least $4,000 at the point of purchase. Add in the C4 Picasso’s long list of standard equipment, intelligent design, the environmental advantages of cutting fuel consumption with a diesel and its five star EuroNCAP safety rating and the C4 Picasso is, clearly, the ideal family car.”

During the first four months of 2008, diesel sales have grown in all market sectors, according to the figures released by VFACTS. Private Passenger Car diesel sales rose by 50.6 per cent, non-private by 64 per cent and SUV diesels by 48.5 per cent while petrol powered private car sales dropped by 5.0 per cent.

“The lift in diesel sales is being driven by the fact that while fuel prices may fluctuate on a day to day basis, everyone knows that overall, fuel prices are going in just one direction: up,” says Miles Williams. “This means that if a car buyer wants to maintain the space and size of a larger vehicle without fuel bills going through the roof or buy a small car, such as the Citroën C3 HDi with supremely good fuel consumption, there is only one way to go and that is to move diesel. Added to this is the fact that modern diesels, with their wealth of torque for pulling power, are the ideal power units for cars like the C4 Picasso.”

Based on the award winning Citroën C4, the new C4 Picasso occupies little more road space than a small hatchback. This makes it easy to drive and park, and ensures a light environment footprint, with its diesel engine returning a remarkable open road average of just 5.9 litres/100 km with emissions further enhanced by a standard particulate filter.

Yet, for all its compact exterior dimensions, the Citroën C4 Picasso matches – and often beats – what most people want from a 4WD: Space and flexibility. Inside there are seven individual seats. The rear most row of seats fold flat into the floor, the middle row fold forward and both rear seat rows can slide fore and aft for added flexibility. With the seats folded, load compartment space climbs to nearly two cubic metres, while standard roof rails add even further to the load-carrying abilities of the Citroën C4. The height of the C4 Picasso also means that it offers the same driver’s eyeline that is enjoyed by 4WD owners.

But form has not been abandoned to meet the needs of function.

The Citroën C4 is anything but utilitarian in its looks or the pleasure it provides to its users. Designated a “Visiospace” by Citroën, its glass area is simply the largest in its class, with a windscreen that extends into the roof as well wide and deep side windows combining to make the interior light, bright and welcoming, as well as combining with the sleek nose to get the C4 Picasso a handsome and unique appearance. Inside the clean, uncluttered dashboard, the unique ‘fixed hub’ steering wheel produces an interior that is inviting and easy to use.

The cream on the cake for the Citroën C4 Picasso is the long list of features and standard equipment that make using the French car maker’s newest model convenient, easy and safe.

These include a detachable rechargeable torch in the boot, a drinks cooler in the dashboard, picnic tables for the middle seat row, power points front and rear, under floor lockers amongst a long list of stowage spots, remote operation headlights, lights and wipers that operate themselves when needed and side window blinds.