Review: Citroën C4 Picasso (2015)

Overview

Released in Australia in February 2015, the Citroën C4 Picasso was a five-seat people mover. Manufactured in Vigo, Spain, the front-wheel drive C4 Picasso was powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

e-THP 165 engine

The 1.6-litre e-THP 165 turbocharged petrol engine (code: EP6FDT 5TTd) had a die-cast aluminium crankcase, direct injection operating at 200 bar, double overhead camshafts, variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. To minimise fuel consumption, the engine had a ‘Stop & Start’ function which could shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary.

The engine required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP) or higher. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the C4 Picasso was 5.6 litres per 100 km.

Dimensions

Like the seven-seat Citroën Grand C4 Picasso , the front-wheel drive C4 Picasso is underpinned by PSA Peugeot Citroen’s EMP2 modular platform. Compared to the Grand C4 Picasso, however, the C4 Picasso was 172 mm shorter (at 4428 mm), the same width (1826 mm), 24 mm lower (1634 mm) and had a 55 mm shorter wheelbase (2785 mm). The C4 Picasso had a drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd, while kerb weight ranged from 1740 kg to 1895 kg.

Inside, the C4 Picasso had three individually adjustable second row seats which could slide and fold for a modular passenger space. Furthermore, all three seats supported ISOfix and top-tether child seats and capsules. Cargo space for the C4 Picasso was 537 litres with the rear seats in place, though this increased to 630 litres with the rear seats moved forward and 1851 litres when folded flat.

Steering and suspension

The C4 Picasso had electric power-assisted steering, MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with trailing arms, coil springs and hydraulic dampers.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the C4 Picasso included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for the first and second rows of occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front and outer second row seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the C4 Picasso also had a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) which, operating at speeds between 12 km/h and 140 km/h, used four ultrasonic sensors at each corner of the vehicle to monitor an area of 3.5 m²adjacent to the rear of the vehicle. If a collision was assessed to be imminent, a warning alert would sound.

Available as a $2000 extra at the time of the C4 Picasso’s launch, the ‘Drive Assist Pack’ included the following items –

• Anti-Collision Warning (ACW): operating at speeds above 30 km/h, ACW monitors the vehicle’s distance to obstacles ahead. If the vehicle is approaching too rapidly, the driver will initially receive a visual warning, followed by a warning tone and, in the final stage, seatbelt pressure;
• Active Seat Belts for the front seats which used motors to pull the seatbelts tight if a collision was anticipated;
• Lane Departure Warning System: the driver’s belt would vibrate to warn the driver if the vehicle crossed a lane marker without signaling;
• Active Cruise Control: used a radar sensor in the front bumper to maintain a consistent gap to the vehicle ahead by adjusting vehicle speed (provided the vehicle ahead was travelling within 25 km/h of the vehicle’s speed). When the road ahead was clear, the vehicle would return the cruise control speed set by the driver;
• Smart Beam Function: automatically actives and deactivates the high beam lights according to lighting and traffic conditions; and,
• An electrochromatic rear view mirror.

Brakes

The C4 Picasso had 304 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs and 290 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing and ANCAP rating

In Euro NCAP testing, the C4 Picasso received a five star safety rating which included an 86 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 88 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology , the Grand C4 Picasso received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.53 out of 37.

In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest protection was rated as adequate and lower leg protection as marginal and adequate (for the right and left legs). Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as weak.

Features: C4 Picasso Exclusive

Standard features for the C4 Picasso Exclusive included 17-inch ‘Anaconda’ alloy wheels with 205/55 R17 tyres, a six speaker sound system with DAB+ digital radio, an 8GB hard-drive for music storage and two USB inputs, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, satellite navigation with a seven-inch touchscreen, a 12-inch HD configurable display for the driver, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, front fog lamps with static cornering function, daytime LED running lamps, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, four cameras for a 360 degree bird’s eye view, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key (for keyless entry), power windows, power mirrors with auto-dipping on reverse and folding function, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, ‘Zenith’ panoramic windscreen, ‘Cielo’ panoramic glass roof with power-operated sunblind, second-row window blinds, rear privacy glass, push-button start, 12 volt power sockets, a power-operated park brake and an immobiliser.

As standard, the C4 Picasso was also fitted with:

• A ‘360 degree vision’ camera system which used four separate cameras and enabled the driver to see – on the 12-inch display – a bird’s eye view, rear view or panoramic front view of the vehicle; and,
• A Park Assist function which provided automated steering for entry and exit from parking spaces.

C4 Picasso Safari Pack

From May 2015 to June 2015, the C4 Picasso was available with a ‘Safari Pack’ at no additional cost. The Safari Pack included locking roof bars, a 330 litre roof pod, dual tablet holders that were secured to the front headrests for second row occupants, and a waterproof boot liner.

Options

Optional, extra-cost features for the C4 Picasso included:

• 18-inch ‘Python’ alloy wheels;
• A power-operated tailgate with chrome highlights; and,
• A choice of part leather or full Nappa leather seats in conjunction with a ‘Lounge Pack’ that included front seats with power adjustable lumbar support and massage functions, a power adjustable front passenger foot rest, ‘relax style’ headrests and LED lights for tray tables on the front seatbacks.

Paint colours

The C4 Picasso was available in Rouge Rubi (red), Blue Kyanos (dark blue), Blue Teles (light blue), Noir Onyx (black), Gris Aluminium (silver), Gris Shark (dark grey) and Blanc Banquise (white) paint finishes.

Related links

• Specifications: Citroen C4 Picasso (February 2015)
• Wikipedia.org: Citroën C4 Picasso (second generation)