Citroen C4 Picasso test drive since 2007 Minivan

Family charm

The appearance of the new Citroen C4 Picasso does not mean the sunset of the former Xsara Picasso. But competitors can fade against the background of a brilliant novelty.
It was raining. The nasty slurred rain, when the drops are almost not visible, but the road and windshield instantly become wet. This moisture hanging in the air always confuses: it is not easy to choose the operating mode of the wipers, it is not easy to pass turns, and even more so, it is not easy to relax behind the wheel. Not only to fall apart in a chair and forget about the road, but simply to feel comfort. Such discomfort always comes in difficult weather conditions, but this petty rain seems to have climbed directly into the soul. Meanwhile, my partner for some reason smiles and says that today is a wonderful day!
You just look at her: yesterday, during the presentation of the second generation of the Picasso model, she melancholy listened to the magnificent speeches of the French, occasionally glancing towards the debutant, and today, on this gray rainy day, we go along the outskirts of Barcelona and she glows with joy. He is so funny and comfortable, he is so pleasantly going! Lisa admired. But my Citroen C4 Picasso left a slightly different impressions
Outside
I admit right away, I like this Picasso much more the first. He looks amazing and immediately raises his mood. The charge of positive emotions that Picasso can become the main driving force in the promotion of this car, because with the great many just cars and beautiful cars, only a few of them make life more beautiful. Maybe you have prejudices about French cars? It is possible, because after Citroen DS 45 years passed before the company again managed to create something significant. But, admit to yourself, the new Citroen models cause delight and respect. The design, as in the days of the phantomas, pleases the eye, and the quality finally rose to the competitive level. Indeed, with a comparable level of technological perfection, identity can become a decisive factor in choosing a car. And now, looking at the new C4 Picasso, I think that the company is on the right track.
Designed delights decorate C4 Picasso from nose to tail. But the most daring solutions are a huge windshield with an area of \u200b\u200b2 square meters. m and step side line. So that the feed does not look too heavy, the window sill line, emphasized by molding, drops a few centimeters on the rear doors and continues to the rear lamps of a bizarre shape. As for the large -format windshield, it is not so much for beauty as for improving visibility: it provides C4 Picasso the largest glazing area in the class (6.2 sq. M with a panoramic roof and 5 sq. M without it). Thus, the review and mood improves! More light and more air guarantee more positive emotions. Perhaps only for this pleasant feeling I am ready to put C4 Picasso in my garage.
Inside
But the avant -garde design and unusual design solutions is what we have the right to expect from Citroen. Another thing is the salon. Continuing the branded aesthetics, the Citroenovites made a real breakthrough as finishing materials. The steering wheel is sheathed with dense leather, the armchairs of suede, the front panel is made of elastic vinyl, and even the imitation of aluminum looks very decent. Separate climate control French literally embodied for the driver and the front passenger, personal control units are provided. Convenient and pretty. The instrument panel, like the first Picasso, is located in the center of the front panel. Some colleagues found this ergonomic solution successful. For me, the instrument panel should still be before my eyes, and the Citroenovites decided to show a non-standard approach to the design of the car in this matter. The center has a large screen of the navigation system, to the left of it an electronic speedometer, and an electronic tachometer on the right. By the way, the hand brake is also electronic: it is worth starting movement, and the rear pads are automatically squeezed. And in Picasso it is full of all kinds of messes, drawers and pockets.
 
But tell me, dear designers, why do you not so sweet the reserve? To make the trunk as much as possible, in Citroen they donated it. But, the designers are parked, the C4 Picasso has the largest distance between the rear wheel arches in the class (1.17 m). Thus, the volume of the luggage compartment is 500 liters and 1734 liters when the rear seats are folded. In addition, a Modulbox system was created for C4 Picasso, which is a removable cart (maximum load 22 kg) and a removable soft tissue bag per 40 liters. With these accessories you can go to the store, and then everything is easy to place in the trunk. Yes, I like this car. It looks wonderful and it is pleasant to be in it. Now it remains to find out what he can on the road.
On my way
Probably rain ruined everything. In the evening, I booked the most powerful version of Picasso with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel (138 hp). But in the morning it turned out that the organizers accidentally gave this car to another, providing me in return for Picasso with the most modest 1.6 HDI engine in volume. But for its volume, it has impressive indicators: 110 hp. and 240 nm, and torque can be increased to 260 nm due to the Overboost function, which allows you to increase the pressure of fuel supply for a while (in the 2.2-liter turbodiselle traction can also increase from 270 to 320 nm), but its capacity is enough only for a leisurely measured driving. Fortunately, the new 6-speed robotic KP showed itself well done: programs are turned on quickly and on time. The machine rides to the best of nimble, does not make noise and easily controls. But everything happens without a light and enthusiasm. Smooth acceleration, smooth turn, smooth braking ... whether it is 2.2 HDI and a 2-liter gasoline engine (143 hp), which, unfortunately, is aggregated only with a 6-speed robot or 4-band automatic transmission. It seems that the good mechanics will soon be completely replaced by advanced machines. With them, both riding are more convenient, and fuel consumption is lower. That's just pleasure
What a pleasure! The vagaries of the weather were fully compensated by Citroen C4 Picasso. His appearance Lisa seemed simply unusual, and the salon and comfort of driving is nowhere better. I also liked the work of Citroen designers. And it’s nice to be in the cabin. The windshield ends above the head at the back of the head, a lot of hidden drawers, a reasonable ergonomic, even the steering wheel with a fixed hub was convenient. But the ride was not impressed. Is this a 1.6-liter turbodiesel to blame? Unlikely. In the end, it is not necessary to rush on the family single -raised head. I would be glad to enjoy the comfort of the salon and the views of the Spanish coast. But the suspension, which was so enthusiastically talked at at a press conference, turned out to be tougher than expected. She almost does not notice small irregularities, but as soon as the wheel enters the hole, a wave of discontent passes through the body. But the pneumatic system is installed behind, which supports a constant clearance regardless of loading. It should also ensure high smoothness. But the suspension lacks energy intensity, and it reacts rather nervously to bumps. True, the suspension on the version with a 2.2-liter diesel engine behaves differently: excellent smoothness, energy intensity at the height, and the rolls are less in turns.
 
Be that as it may, this car is awaiting success. Those who value design, comfort and practicality will attract the price. In Europe, Citroen C4 Picasso with a 1.8 liter gasoline engine and a 5-speed manual transmission will cost from 19900 euros. For the Russian market, prices have not yet been determined, but let's hope that they will be as attractive as the car itself.
Technical characteristics of Citroen C4 Picasso 2.0i 16V
Dimensions, mm 4470x1830x1660
Base, mm 2728
Engine type gasoline in a row 4-cylinder
Working volume, cubic meter. SM 1997
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 143/6000
Max. moment, nm/rpm 200/4000
The transmission is robotic 6-speed
Max. Speed, km/h 195
Tires 215/55 R16
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 11.3
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km 8.0
Tank volume, l 60
 
Stanislav Goncharenko
Photo by the author and the manufacturer
 
 
 
 

A source: Avtopanorama magazine