Road Test: Citroën C4 Picasso
| by Howard Keeg
Simply Sublime
As a seasoned motoring hack my hide has been hardened over the years, and is 99% immune to the press
release jargon that motor manufacturers love to spew out. But every now and then, and I am talking about
intervals of years, a car comes along that simply blows my socks away. The Citroën C4 Picasso is such a vehicle.
I
was given the higher specced Intensive
Model to test drive, and added to the
already impressive spec list was the
Drive Assist and Park Assist Packages,
which did indeed add to my excitement.
Just look at what you get: Secondgeneration Stop&Start (with brake energy
recuperation) •• Variable-assistance
electric power steering •• Height and
reach-adjustable steering wheel (stitched
leather with satin chrome inserts and
4 control zones) •• Sliding driver’s and
passenger’s sun blinds with sun visors and
courtesy mirrors •• Front and rear electric
windows with anti-pinch and one-touch
operation •• Automatic digital dual-zone
air-conditioning (with pollen and charcoal
filters) and air vents for rear seat passengers
•• Rear parking sensors •• Front parking
sensors and park assist •• Reversing
camera (displayed on upper 12” HD screen
where fitted) •• 360 Degree vision parking
system •• Motorised rear tailgate (with
programmable opening height memory)
•• Engine start button •• Keyless entry and
start (does not require key to be inserted
into dashboard slot) •• Total closure mode
(closes all windows when ‘lock’ button
is held down) •• ‘Find my car’ feature
(illumination of interior lights and flashing of
hazard warning lights) •• Integrated folddown aircraft-style tray tables •• Integrated
retractable rear side window sun blinds
•• 12-Volt accessory power socket in central
storage compartment with additional 12-Volt
sockets in Row 2 and boot •• Front and
rear luxury velour carpet mats •• 7” Touch
Drive interface (used to control all vehicle
functions) •• “LCD central display, 12”
Panoramic HD central display (full colour)
with 3 selectable themes and, and, and…
I could go on and on, but space is an issue.
And PCSA managing director Francis
Harnie’s statement at the time of launching
is in my opinion an understatement.
He said “We announced an aggressive
new model introduction policy for Citroën
in South Africa at the time of the recent
restructuring of our business in terms of the
establishment of Peugeot Citroën South
Africa and this launch of the C4 Picasso
| words in action
94
MPV is the first step in a programme which
will increase the Citroën range of innovative,
trend-setting cars.”
My test car would put me back R418 850
(base price R345 900 plus all the bells and
whistles, including a 5 year warranty and
maintenance package), but if you look at
all the features it is a steal. And if you just
want the silky smooth ride, less some of
the electronic gizmos, you can go for the
Seduction model at R325 900, which is
extremely competitive for a luxury MPV,
with high quality finishes and superb build
quality. Oh, I forgot to mention the engine.
It is a 1.6-litre e-HDi 115 turbo diesel
engine developing 85kW of power and
270Nm of torque, which gives acceptable
performance with a top speed of 189km/h
and 11.8 seconds for the 0-100km sprint,
whilst sipping fuel with a consumption
of 4litres/100km for the combined cycle
with CO2 emissions of only 105g/km.
Its 55 litre tank will get you to Port Elizabeth
from Johannesburg easily, with some
250 km to spare!
october 2014