Citroen Grand C4 Picasso News

Citroen's facelifted Grand C4 Picasso range gains a new entry-level turbo-petrol variant checking in at $38,490 plus on-road costs.

Manufacturers including Hyundai, Holden, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen and Audi have all issued safety recalls for various models, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

French people-mover shows it's designed to succeed with Best in Category for automotive.

Citroen has announced Australia’s first six year, unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance plan for its new Grand C4 Picasso people mover and DS3, DS4 and DS5 models, with the industry-leading duration including all buyers taking delivery after March 1.Several manufacturers offer five year warranty terms, but Citroen’s new six year coverage is double the industry standard three year duration, and Australia is the first of the French brand's several international markets to make such an offer.“Introducing this warranty shows our commitment to the product and our commitment to the brand in Australia. We’ve been here for 90 years and we’ve continued to be innovators so it’s only natural that we want to push the barriers,” Citroen Australia Marketing boss Manuel Tyras says.Citroen is a relatively small player on the Australian market, with its 1180 vehicle 2013 total including just 61 examples of the previous C4 Picasso and a total of 418 DS models, and is understandably keen to attract new buyers to the brand. According to research undertaken by Citroen’s Australian arm, warranty and roadside assistance duration is a key influence among buyers considering the Citroen brand, with even a five-year warranty offering double the influence of a conventional three year term. The new six-year warranty is fully transferable between owners, and there is currently no plan for the six year duration to filter down to other Citroen models.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Citroen’s second-generation C4 Picasso will arrive in local showrooms on March 1, with the new model’s $4,500 greater $43,990 entry price balanced by Citroen’s boast of $9,000 worth of extra value.Sitting between the Kia Rondo and Honda Odyssey in size, the new C4 Picasso features flexible seating for seven within a 2840mm wheelbase and 4600mm overall length – the same as the previous model but with 110mm added between the wheels.  Key packaging gains from the extended wheelbase include 55mm more knee room in the second row, and 16mm for third-row occupants. The new Grand C4 Picasso is the first model to arrive in Australia using Citroen-parent PSA’s new EMP2 platform, which will form the basis of several new Citroen and Peugeot models, plus some General Motors products under the PSA/GM alliance.Weight reduction was a key criteria for the new platform, and the new Grand C4 Picasso weighs just 1440kg – 100kg less than the outgoing model, and at least 336kg less than the Odyssey.DRIVETRAINAustralian Grand C4 Picasso models will use a single ‘Excusive’ trim level, with a six speed auto and turbodiesel as the sole drivetrain. This turbodiesel is the new BlueHDi 110kW/370Nm 2.0-litre unit, which produces max torque between 2000-2500rpm, can accelerate to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds, and is rated at a class-leading 4.5L/100 combined.The sole transmission is a new six-speed torque converter unit – unlike the previous single-clutch automated manual unit – which promises faster gearchanges, quieter operation and is paired with a standard stop/start system.EQUIPMENTStandard features include a leather steering wheel, satnav, dual-zone climate control with second row vents and fan control, front and rear parking sensors, four-camera 360 degree exterior view, automated parking system for parallel and perpendicular reverse parks, Bluetooth phone and audio, 8GB media storage, panoramic glass roof with electric sunblind, auto headlights and wipers, speed-limiting cruise control, proximity keys, and 17 inch wheels.Design highlights include twin multimedia screens in the dash, with a 12-inch widescreen unit for trip computer, satnav and 360 degree camera display, and a 7-inch secondary unit in the centre stack for HVAC controls, satnav, and multimedia information. Retractable window blinds are also standard for the second row, along with a roof-mounted conversation mirror and 12V power sockets for all three rows.Optional extras include the $2000 Drive Assist Pack that adds active cruise control, lane departure and collision warnings, active seat belts and auto high-beam. Also available is partial leather trim with with electric lumbar and massage functions for the front seats, second row tray tables, and an alectric footrest for the front passenger ($2500 or $5000 with full leather and electric heated front seats). A powered tailgate can also be added for $1000, plus Bi-Xenon headlights ($2000) and 18-inch wheels ($1500) that push the combined fuel figure up to 4.6L/100km.PACKAGINGThe third row seats can be folded into the floor, and a load length of up to 2.5m is possible with the front passenger seat folded. Cargo space with all seats up is 165L, which expands to 632-793L with the third row folded (depending on second row position), and 2,181L with the second row folded forward. The Grand C4 Picasso will carry an 840kg payload, 1600kg braked tow rating, and comes with an inflation kit in lieu of a spare tyre.SAFETYStandard safety features include dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags for the first two rows only, blind-spot monitoring, hill-assist, ABS and stability control, and second row child seat anchorage points are ISOFIX with a top-tether for all three positions. The Grand C4 Picasso has earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating, which Citroen Australia distributor Sime Darby expects will be recognised by ANCAP in the coming weeks. 

The latest version of Citroen's Grand C4 Picasso people-mover will arrive in Australia with a swag of trophies already under its beltline, having nabbed Top Gear's European Family Car of the Year and Auto Bild's Golden Steering wheel.It remains to be seen whether the awards have impact locally, where under the previous importers the Picasso has failed to get cut-through. The segment sold a total of 81000 last year but was dominated by the Kia Carnival (2847), and with Hyundai iMax (1455) and Honda Odyssey (1001) accounted for 5,300 of the field's total, with Toyota's Tarago mopping up another 960.Against that, the Citroen in run-out last year sold just 61, a drop from the 149 of 2012. Since taking over the Citroen brand to sit beside Peugeot under the Sime-Darby umbrella, it's new minders have worked to reposition the product.As the latest vehicle for that strategy, the Picasso is dropping the two-pronged approach  -- which previously offered both petrol and diesel versions -- and will within weeks have only a single new variant.The Grand C4 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel mated to a six-speed  torque-converter automatic transmission driving the front wheels. "It is specifically targeting families, and as a seven-seater we decided the diesel was the better option," Citroen PR and communications manager Jaedene Hudson says.The new engine develops 110kW of power and 370Nm of torque -- available from 2000-2500rpm -- and the carmaker claims fuel economy at a frugal 4.5L/100km in combined driving, helped by a stop-start system.Citroen says the newcomer is 100kg lighter than the previous model, putting it at 1520kg, but by the time you add another half-tonne of bodies you could find the fuel needle moves a bit faster down the gauge.The Grand C4 Picasso will go on sale March 1 in a single spec level for $43,990 -- a rise from the $37,490 starting price for the former petrol entry level, and the $39,490 for the previous diesel variant.However Citroen Australia says the difference is more than covered by the extra features that will be offered, including a standard 360 degree camera, standard self-parking, blind spot monitoring and a 12-inch panoramic HD screen with 7-inch multifunction touch screen."We’ve very excited to introduce the all New Grand C4 Picasso in Australia. It’s a people-mover that drives like a car and looks very stylish," Citroen marketing manager Manuel Tyras says. "But it’s also supremely practical with ample space and high levels of safety and technology."The first vehicle to be built on all-new modular EMP2 platform, it will roll on a 11cm longer wheelbase at 2.84m, promising improved space and cabin flexibility. More details and specification will be announced closer to the roll-out date.

The vehicles are ranked out of five stars, with five being the highest rating. None score five stars.The vehicles with a FOUR star rating are:1. Volkswagen Golf (Hatch and Wagon) Oct 2010.2. Citroen C4 Picasso (4 door wagon) May 2007.The vehicles with a ONE star rating are:1. Citroen C3 (5 door hatch) Nov 20102. Honda City (Sedan) Feb 20093. Hyundai i20 (Hatch) Oct 2010peMitsubishi Colt (5 door hatch) Jun 20104. Proton S16 (Sedan) Apr 2010 Proton Savvy (5 door hatch) Apr 20065. Suzuki Alto (5 door hatch) Jul 2009 Citroen DS3 (3 door hatch) Sep 20106. Lexus CT 200h (5 door hatch) Feb 20117. Suzuki SX4 (Sedan and Hatch) Sep 20078. Toyota Prius (5 door hatch) Jul 20099. Peugeot 407 (Sedan and Wagon) Mar 200610. Suzuki Kizashi (Sedan) Aug 201011. Chrysler 300C (Sedan) Mar 200812. Holden Commodore (Sedan and Sportwagon) Sep 201013. Honda Accord (Sedan) Feb 200814. Honda Odyssey (4 door wagon) Apr 200915. Kia Grand Carnival (4 door wagon) Jun 201016. Mercedes-Benz Viano (4 door wagon) Feb 201017. Audi Q7 (4 door wagon) Jul 200718. Great Wall Motors X240 (4 door wagon)Oct 200919. Mazda CX-7 (4 door wagon) Jul 200720. Mitsubishi Pajero (4 door wagon) Jul 200521. Nissan Pathfinder (4 door wagon) Jul 200522. Peugeot 4007 (4 door wagon) Oct 200923. Ssangyong Kyron (4 door wagon) Apr 200924. Ssangyong Rexton II (4 door wagon) Jul 201025. Suzuki SX4 (5 door hatch) Sep 2007 HSV (All models, Sedan and Sportwagon) Feb 201026. Peugeot 308 CC (2 door cabriolet) Feb 201127. Peugeot 407 (2 door coupe) Mar 200628. Alfa Romeo 159 (Sedan and Wagon) Jan 200929. Audi A8 (Sedan) Sep 201030. Holden Caprice (Sedan) Sep 201031. Honda Legend (Sedan) Aug 200832. Holden Commodore Utility Sep 2010 HSV33. Maloo (Utility) Feb 201034. Fiat Scudo (Van) Apr 200835. Mercedes Benz Vito (Van) Feb 201136. Toyota HiAce (Van) Oct 2007