C4 Picasso: Citroen's new MPV - Next Car Pty Ltd

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C4 Picasso: Citroen's new MPV

4th August, 2006

Citroën will unveil the C4 Picasso in a world-premiere appearance at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. This new, innovative and compact seven-seater MPV is the natural extension of the marque's range. The C4 Picasso features distinctive styling and a host of original features that make travelling by MPV an even more comfortable and enjoyable experience:

outstanding visibility and clarity with the wide-angle panoramic windscreen,
an uncluttered front compartment with an innovative drive station and the new 6-speed electronic gearbox system,
class-leading space in the passenger compartment and boot,
original seat-folding functions that allow the interior layout to be reconfigured quickly and simply, thus accommodating up to seven occupants comfortably,
unparalleled interior comfort with temperature control, soundproofed windows and air quality sensors,
a comfortable ride and a pleasant drive, with pneumatic suspension at the rear.

On the compact MPV market, most carmakers offer either a single body shape with a varying number of seats or two identically styled bodies that differ in length only. With the C4 Picasso and the Xsara Picasso, which continues, Citroën now offers two vehicles in this segment that are quite distinct in terms of both style and features.

The style, dimensions, space, modular design and unique features of the C4 Picasso make it a natural extension of Citroën's MPV range, now composed of three models that are different and complementary: the Xsara Picasso and C4 Picasso, and a large MPV, the C8.

With the fluid and harmonious profile of a true thoroughbred, the C4 Picasso has all the hallmarks of a Citroën. Continuing the trend set by the brand's latest models, this new MPV boasts some unique features that make life on board simpler and more enjoyable for its occupants.

Exceptional visibility and clarity

C4 Picasso offers outstanding visibility with:

A standard wide-angle panoramic windscreen that doubles the visibility at the front of the vehicle. The vertical angle of visibility is 70°, compared with just 35° in a conventional MPV.
Large quarter windows and narrow windscreen side pillars, for the best front three-quarter visibility in its class.

The visibility and clarity in the front of the vehicle are quite exceptional and the rest of the passenger compartment is also light and airy thanks to the large side windows. The clarity in the passenger compartment is further enhanced by the biggest glass sunroof (1.04 m) currently available on a compact MPV. The C4 Picasso boasts the largest glazed area on the compact MPV market, reaching a full 6.4 m2 with the panoramic glass sunroof.

The passenger compartment remains just as welcoming and atmospheric at night thanks to a host of original lighting sources, such as light guides under the front fascia, in the door panels and in the headlining that diffuse soft, gentle light inside the vehicle. Lighting can be customised day and night by selecting a colour on the control cluster, and the air conditioning screens at either end of the dashboard are illuminated by yellow lights. Passengers can use the handy reading lights built into the back of the front seats. And if they reach into the storage cubbies in the door panels, a light comes on automatically to help them find what they are looking for. In addition, a hand-held torch that automatically recharges when the vehicle is in motion is stored in the boot.

A roomy front compartment

The interior layout has been reorganised to provide plenty of room in the front and enhance the sensation of well-being and space on board. The reorganised interior features:

An innovative drive station that frees up the space in the centre of the dashboard by doing away with the usual central support console for the gearshift control. The original drive station is combined with either the new 6-speed electronic gearbox system or the automatic gearbox. The gearbox controls are steering wheel-mounted, while the selector and gearshift paddles are built into the steering column.
Air conditioning controls positioned at either end of the dashboard within easy reach of the occupants.
Main comfort functions and driver aids that are all within easy reach of the driver on the fixed-centred controls steering wheel.
A dashboard-mounted automatic electric parking brake that does away with the mechanical hand brake between the front seats.

The reorganisation of the interior has provided enough space for four large, closed storage compartments in the dashboard, including a refrigerated cubby that can hold one 1.5-litre bottle or two 0.5-litre bottles.

Standard-setting interior space

The C4 Picasso is an exceptionally spacious vehicle. Its architecture and dimensions (4.59 m long, 1.83 m wide and 1.66 m high) make for a roomy interior. The three rows of seats can comfortably accommodate up to seven passengers:
- C4 Picasso offers class-leading elbow room for all three rows of seats.
- There is more space between the front seats than in any other vehicle in the segment. This extra room makes it easier for occupants in the front and rear to communicate with each other and provides greater visibility for the occupant of the second-row middle seat, who can enjoy the view through the panoramic windscreen.
- The three second-row seats are all of equal width and equipped with Isofix points. As in the Xsara Picasso, the floor is flat for greater ease of movement and a more comfortable seated position for the occupant in the middle seat in the second row.
- There is more leg room in the second row than in any other vehicle in the category.
- The third row of seats can accommodate two more adult passengers, with footwells for added comfort.
The biggest boot in its category

The new C4 Picasso offers an exceptionally comfortable interior without reducing the size of the boot. The amount of boot space depends on the interior layout.
- In the most common configuration, with the seats in row three folded away and the row-two seats pushed right back, the volume beneath the parcel shelf of 576 litres VDA is the largest in its category and the distance between the wheel arches is a full class-leading 1.17 m.
- Thanks to the opening rear window, the boot can be comfortably loaded right up to the roof and can be easily accessed even when the vehicle is parked in a tight space.
- In the seven-seater layout, boot storage space is increased by deep, closed compartments positioned beneath the row-three seats.
- When all the seats are folded away, maximum capacity is 1,951 litres VDA.
Quick and easy to reconfigure

The C4 Picasso's modular design allows the interior layout to be reconfigured quickly and easily, while keeping all the seats inside the vehicle.
- The second row of seats can all be folded away in a single movement without removing the headrestraints.
- The third-row seating can be easily folded away under the vehicle floor without removing the headrestraints.
- Once the rear seats are folded, the continuous, flat loading space in the boot stretches all the way to the front seat-backs.
- The original movements of the seats allow for easy access to the third row. The cushions of the second-row side seats are automatically lifted towards the seat back, much like a cinema seat, by pressing a control. The seats then slide up against the front seat-backs in a single movement.