Citroen Picasso 2010 less thirsty

The latest version of the trendy seven-seater comes with claims of benchmark fuel economy and emissions, although there is an extra $1000 on the bottom line.  The 2010 version of the C4 Picasso is fitted with an 100 kiloWatt turbodiesel engine and six-speed EGS transmission with fuel economy of 5.0 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of just 153 grams/kilometre.

The price rise takes it to $45,990, although this still compares relatively well to a starting price of $39,390 for the Kia Grand Carnival, $44,950 for the Mitsubishi Grandis and $50,990 for the Toyota Tarago.

"When we launched the Citroen C4 Picasso we said that it is truly the family car for the 21st century,"” says Miles Williams, general manager of Citroen in Australia.  With the 2010 version, this position is reconfirmed, thanks to its enhanced emissions and fuel consumption reduction."

The Picasso arrived in Australia with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, but petrol power disappeared more than 18 months ago after poor sales.  Stocks of the seven-seater have been low since October last year, the time of the 2010 model change in France, but are now getting back to normal.

Williams says the efficiency push comes because of European taxes on CO2 outputs, with the critical limit at 160 grams/kilometre. In the UK alone, 60 per cent of Picassos are used as company cars and its 153 CO2 figure gives an advantage in both road and company car taxes.  The 2010 Picasso has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating including ESP stability control and anti-skid brakes.