Citroen has just launched their Grand C4 Picasso, the seven-seater version of the 2014 Continental Irish Car of the Year. And it is priced €2,300 higher than an equivalent new C4 Picasso, with an entry level price of €26,795 for the Grand VTR e-HDi 90 Airdream ETG6.
It’s very practical, versatile, and looks pretty good too for a seven-seat compact MPV. It marries best-in-class interior space with great levels of efficiency and what Citroen calls ‘créative technologie’. And the new Grand C4 Picasso is available in four trim levels.
Harnessing the adaptability of the new EMP2 platform (Efficient Modular Platform 2 ), the new Grand C4 Picasso features great proportions. It provides an ideal combination of versatility, cabin room, and accessibility, underpinned with three rows of seats.
It also weighs up to 110kg less than its predecessor, which comes with the benefits including reduced CO2 by 30g/km on average. The new Grand C4 Picasso’s enhanced aerodynamics and optimised engine range, including a new Euro 6 BlueHDi 150 powerplant, enable CO2 emissions from just 113g/km and a class-leading combined cycle fuel economy of as low as 4.3l/100km (or 65.7mpg ).
The reduced weight, lower centre of gravity, and enhanced design also create a new balance between comfort and road holding for improved driveability, greater safety, and a bullish boast from Citroen: ‘unequalled comfort on board’.
Although the latest model is virtually the same length as its predecessor, the new platform has allowed Citroen’s engineers to extend the wheelbase to be the longest in the category. This delivers class-leading cabin space in rows two and three; enhanced access, especially to row three through optimised door apertures; and an extra 69 litres of useable load space.
The uncluttered interior of Citroen’s new Grand C4 Picasso was designed with a loft-style feel in mind. The standard-fit panoramic windscreen and optional large glass roof bathe the cabin in natural light - new Grand C4 Picasso has more glass surface than any other model in the segment at 5.70 square metres.
At night, white LED lighting (on the ceiling, backlit storage spaces, trays on the front seat backs, and inner door handles ) further enhances the sense of well-being by creating a cosy and intimate ambience.
Citroen’s attention to detail and choice of materials is reflected within the loft-style design, making the quality of finish on board the new Grand C4 Picasso amongst the very best in its class. Row two is home to three independent seats with sliding bases and tilting backs. And unique to the segment, dedicated air vents for passengers in row three.
Exclusive to the class, and available with the optional Lounge Pack, are Citroen’s new front massaging seats and a ‘Relax’ mode passenger seat, which allows front passengers to stretch out their legs and experience first class travel. ‘Relax’ headrests are also available for optimum neck support.
Access is made easy thanks to the wide opening wrap-around tailgate design, large unimpeded aperture, the absence of a lip, and flat load floor.
The new Grand C4 Picasso also features a wide range of convenient and practical storage spaces such as the lit compartment in the centre of the dashboard, which contains an audio jack and USB port.
The Grand C4 Picasso’s clean and uncluttered dashboard features two full-digital displays - a 7” touchpad and a 12” panoramic HD screen - creating an intuitive and stylish driving interface. The standard specification 7” touchpad, with seven touch-sensitive buttons, puts all the in-car functions such as dual-zone air conditioning, navigation, audio, telephone, and driving aids, within easy reach.
With manual digital air-conditioning (including dual-zone temperature setting ) as standard and automatic control for VTR+ versions and above, maintaining a comfortable temperature for up to seven passengers is easy. Row two passengers can benefit from independent fan speed adjustment for the rear air-vents whilst row three is available with a ceiling mounted ventilation unit.
Driveability is a key strength of the new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. While maintaining the recognised comfort of its predecessor, the new-generation vehicle is easier to handle and more manoeuvrable. The vehicle’s reduced weight, lower centre of gravity, and design elements like the vertically positioned shock absorbers, combine to create a new balance between optimum comfort and greater road holding.
Acoustic and vibration comfort are also remarkable thanks to an electric power steering system that minimises vibrations transmitted from the road to the steering column, damping of the front subframe to limit road noise, and a new dual-material acoustic shim on the rear axle.
The Grand C4 Picasso is fitted with internal combustion engines with some delivering sub-100g/km of CO2 emissions. The new model’s performance is further refined with the new six-speed clutchless manual gearbox - ETG6 (six-speed Efficient Tronic Gearbox ) - available with e-HDi 90 and e-HDi 115 versions. With the ETG6 box, drivers can switch from manual to automatic mode at any time, depending on their requirements and the driving environment. All diesel-powered Grand C4 Picasso models are fitted with Stop & Start technology, as standard.
A high level of equipment ensures optimum safety and well-being for occupants of all ages. As with the outgoing model, the new Grand C4 Picasso has been awarded a five-star EuroNCAP rating with an impressive 88 per cent score in the child occupant category.
