Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2015 News

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.

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