Citroen confirms C4 Picasso

CITROEN has confirmed it will release Australia’s cheapest car-based, diesel-powered seven-seater people-mover early next year.

To be shown at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week following its recent debut at the Paris motor show, the C4 Picasso is earmarked to sell from around the mid-$30,000 mark when it goes on sale next February.

In Europe, the Spanish-built Picasso will be offered with three four-cylinder engine choices – including two HDi turbo-diesel units fitted with a particulate filter. The 1.6-litre HDi is similar to the engine fitted to the Citroen C4 and Peugeot 307 models. In this application it delivers 80kW of power and up to 260Nm of torque.

A 100kW/270Nm 2.0-litre HDi is the larger diesel option, while a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 103kW and 200Nm, and mated to a four-speed automatic, is also pencilled in.

Along with a five-speed manual gearbox, the HDi engines will also offer the option of Citroen’s new Electronic Gearbox System (EGS). Based on a conventional six-speed manual gearbox, it features an electro-hydraulic clutch actuator control system, which eliminates the need for a conventional clutch pedal. Paddle-shift controls, as well as a space-saving column-shift selector, and a fully automatic mode, are also included with EGS.

Like the C5 prestige range, Citroen expects Australian sales for the C4 Picasso to be made up of mostly diesel-powered versions.

"We believe that about 80 per cent of buyers will choose the diesel," Citroen Australia public relations manager Edward Rowe said.

Mr Rowe was also confident that the C4 Picasso would succeed in Australia where others – notably the Holden Zafira and Mazda Premacy – had failed. Citing increasing fuel prices, a shift to smaller cars, a sharp increase in the demand for diesels and a softening 4WD market, Mr Rowe was confident that Australians will be turned on by an economical yet accommodating seven-seater wagon that provides at least the same level of versatility they have come to expect from an SUV. He also believes that there are enough satisfied owners of ageing Zafira and Premacy models who are looking for a suitably similar replacement, but have not been catered for until now.