It’s hard to be excited about the new Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, or the old one for that matter, but among us are those with children and therefore those who value as many seats, cup holders, storage bins and seatbelts as one can cram into a vehicle.
Going head-to-head with the Renault Grand Scenic, the new C4 Grand Picasso brings more cabin space, features, easier access and better looks than ever before.
The improvements come largely from a stretched version of Citroën’s EMP2 platform, which underpins the standard C4 Picasso and offers a 110 mm longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks for added stability (82 mm and 31 mm respectively), as well as a 50 mm lower mounting position for the engine and 20 mm lower floor. In addition, the revised platform uses a new composite material floor that saves 110 kg over the previous Grand Picasso.
The front end styling has been given an assertive yet flowing design, with chevrons that extend outwards to curve into the LED daytime-running lights. Just below the LEDs sit the sleek headlights, which contribute to the high-tech appearance at the front, while the rear LED lights feature a 3D effect and offer a futuristic look. The rear styling is enhanced by a wraparound tailgate that opens to provide wide and easy access to the boot.
Interior improvements include an extra 69-litres of boot space, with 645-litres in total once the rear seats have been folder down, and Citroën claim class-leading legroom in the second and third row of seats. The cabin has also been brought up-to-date with a 7- or 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic windscreen and sunroof to let in even more light and the seats in the middle row can be adjusted independently of one another for improved flexibility.
The lighter construction means a 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engine will provide enough ‘go’ while offering reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of as low as 98 g/km.
Safety highlights include: adaptive cruise control; anti-collision warning system that alerts the driver when the vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front; traction control; pre-tensioning seatbelts; lane departure warning; automatic high-beam headlights; blind spot monitoring.
In addition, the new Grand Picasso is equipped with Citroën’s eTouch system, that automatically or manually makes geo-localised emergency or assistance calls using a built-in SIM card, for rapid intervention in the event of an accident or if the car is immobilised.
