The Citroën C4 Picasso has arrived in Australia, offering a blend of the seven seat space and flexibility, Euro-NCAP five star safety and the performance of a small hatchback.

Based on the 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 environmental footprint, with its diesel engine returning an open road average of 5.9 litres/100 km with emissions enhanced by a standard particulate filter.

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.

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

The Citroën C4 is anything but utilitarian in its looks. Designated a “Visiospace” by Citroën, its glass area is 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 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.

The C4 Picasso has a high rating for safety .... the Euro-NCAP five star rating. On the basis that it is better to avoid an accident, it also has ABS brakes with EBA and EBD, ESP and traction control, not to mention a chassis that comes from Citroën’s world beating rally programme, so it is agile and responsive on the road.

“The C4 Picasso is a car full of superlatives,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroen in Australia. “The biggest windscreen in its class forms part of the largest glazed area; the least cluttered dashboard design is complemented the simplest folding rear seating system contributes that to the largest boot volume; there are class-leading levels of elbowroom and the best all-round visibility, while for added reassurance the C4 Picasso has recorded the highest EuroNCAP score for adult occupant protection.”

The Citroen C4 Picasso went on sale in Australia yesterday in two versions, both with fully electronic automatic gearboxes as standard and identical equipment and feature lists. The Citroen C4 Picasso with the 2.0 litre 103 kW petrol engine and a four speed automatic gearbox has a recommended retail price of $39,990, while fitted with Citroen’s highly advanced 2.0 litre Turbo Diesel, that produces 100 kW and a massive 270 Nm of torque matched to a six speed automatic gearbox, the C4 Picasso HDi is priced at $44,990 (RRP).