Review: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso (2014-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in February 2014, the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso was a seven seat people mover. Manufactured in Vigo, Spain, the front-wheel drive Grand C4 Picasso was powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine which was mated to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission (Citroën’s Electronic Gearbox System, or EGS).

BlueHDi turbo-diesel engine

The 2.0-litre BlueHDi turbo-diesel engine had common-rail injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 16.7:1 and a ‘Stop&Start’ function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to reduce fuel consumption. Compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards, the BlueHDi minimised hazardous tailpipe emissions in a three step process which consisted of an oxidation catalyst, the use of AdBlue (a urea solution) in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst and a diesel particulate filter. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, the Grand C4 Picasso consumed 4.5 litres of fuel per 100 km.

Dimensions

Compared to the Citroën C4 Picasso which it replaced, the Grand C4 Picasso was 7 mm longer (at 4597 mm), 4 mm narrower (1826 mm), 34 mm lower (1656 mm) and had a 112 mm longer wheelbase (2840 mm); kerb weight was also reduced by 100 kg, largely attributable to the Grand C4 Picasso’s use of PSA’s Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) platform.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Grand C4 Picasso included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags 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.

The Grand C4 Picasso was also fitted with a blind spot monitoring system which operated at speeds between 12 km/h and 140 km/h. Using four sensors in the front and rear bumpers, the system would warn the driver when a vehicle was in their blind spot by illuminating an orange light.

The Grand C4 Picasso was also available with an optional, extra-cost Drive Assist Pack which included:

• Active seat belts which retracted in emergency situations;
• A lane departure warning system which could alert the driver via seatbelt vibrations if the vehicle crossed lane markers without signaling;
• An active cruise control function which used a radar sensor in the front bumper to monitor the distance to the vehicle ahead and maintain that distance through acceleration and engine braking (within a 25 km/h speed band);
• An anti-collision warning system which operated at speeds above 30 km/h. Initially, the driver would receive a visual warning if they were too close to the vehicle ahead, followed by an audible tone and then seatbelt pressure; and,
• ‘Smart beam’ headlights which would automatically activate and deactivate the high beams according to lighting and traffic conditions.

Euro NCAP testing and ANCAP rating

The shorter wheelbase C4 Picasso was tested by Euro NCAP in 2013 and 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. On the basis of information provided to ANCAP, these test results were extended to the Grand C4 Picasso. 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: Grand C4 Picasso

Standard features for the Grand C4 Picasso included 17-inch ‘Boa’ alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), 8GB music storage, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, an eMyWay satellite navigation system (which could be displayed on the seven-inch multi-function touchscreen or the twelve-inch HD screen), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, black and grey cloth trim, front fog lights with static cornering function, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, flat folding second row seats, retractable third row seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), push-button start, power windows, heated power adjustable mirrors with folding function and automatic dipping on reverse, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, ‘Zenith’ panoramic windscreen, ‘Cielo’ panoramic glass roof with power-operated sunblind, ambient lighting, three 12 volt power sockets, a power-operated park brake, cargo cover, tyre pressure monitoring and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Grand 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 reverse and parallel parking manoeuvres.

Grand C4 Picasso Safari Pack

From May 2015 to June 2015, the Grand 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.

Related links

• Specifications: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso (February 2014)
• Specifications: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso (July 2014)
• Citroën Automobiles Australia: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso
• Wikipedia.org: Citroën C4 Picasso (second generation)