Test Drive Citroen C4 Picasso since 2007 Minivan

Sunny Tone Landscape

Farewell, the old woman Xsara Picasso, "I thought it was when Citroen decided to spend the official presentation of the five-seater minivan on the basis of C4. It is a pity, of course, but nothing can be done in the same row with the updated Renault Scenic and the Ford Focus C-Max hit the smallest of the Picasso family really looks outdated. What was my surprise when Citroenovtsi announced their plans: Xsara Picasso remains on the conveyor until 2010. The new five-seater minivan will take a few other niche. It looks great, has excellent mince, salon with excellent ergonomics and transformation capabilities in a word, everything in order to sold the trough. XSARA Picasso will also remain an inexpensive option for the widest range of users. Well, such a decision is not devoid of logic, especially if you consider the insane popularity of Ksara from Europeans.
The fact that C4 Picasso is noticeably different from its older brother, sevenstal Picasso (which is now supplied with the Grand prefix), has become clear according to the first photos that appear on the network and the automotive press. However, in reality C4 Picasso, it was still prettier than in the pictures. Elegant shapes, a huge area of \u200b\u200bglazing, a visually lightweight bumper, the playful bending of the lateral windows line of the French always differed in the ability to pack any product in a beautiful wrapper.
Interior C4 Picasso was already well familiar for the seven-bed version. The first thing that rushes into everyone who turns out to be on the driver's seat, a large windshield. It seems to be covered on the roof, allowing you to enjoy the view not only the roads and ahead of transport, but also by the sky or crowns of trees. In combination with thin front racks and good rearview mirrors, such glass provides an excellent review. But what about the blinding sun? From him you can save traditional visors, which are not only revealed by the book, but also move back and forth on the guides.
Controls are very peculiar. The traditionally densely populated various buttons of the center console is not here in sight. But the fixed (as in the passenger C4) hub of the steering wheel is loaded. At first it confuses, but after an hour later, another practice is unwillingly thinking: why do other manufacturers force us to reach out for the key to the center of the instrument panel, instead of placing it literally under the nose? A certain time of addictive requires the climate control unit, which is located here to the left of the steering column. To use it blindly, without distracting from the move, it is not easy for almost all buttons have the same size and flush with the block. It is necessary to memorize their sequence to, for example, do not increase the temperature instead of reducing the air flow.
However, not the trouble C4 Picasso offers the driver so much of the good that the minor problems do not have to remember. For example, there is a great range of boxes and boxes for storing the smallest things on the road there is even a cooled air conditioning at the bottom of the central console. You can play the colors of the electronic flap of instruments and the diagram of the output of information on it. All that happens on the rear sofa is perfectly visible in a small panoramic mirror, fixed under standard intra-alone. And of course, it is impossible not to mention the corporate embedded flavor What kind of France without subtle flavors? In a word, on a journey or a conventional country trip, the benefits of C4 Picasso is difficult to overestimate. Rear passengers will remain satisfied. For two of them, folding tables on the carrier manner are mounted in the back of the front chairs. In expensive equipment in the same niches, personal monitors are installed complete with headphones. On the middle racks its own climate control units. True, it is impossible to be full of them, since it will be possible to vary only the air supply rate.
Two good diesel engines, who will be equipped with C4 Picasso in Europe, do not see the Russians, as their ears: Citroen has not yet matured for the delivery of such engines to our country. So choose from two gasoline engines with a volume of 1.8 (127 liters.) and 2.0 (143 liters p.). Which one will be popular depends on the difference in price. Naturally, the best impressions left a two-liter unit. He is enough for the number of nose and elastic, and what else is needed for minivan? At the same time, a large excess of power when driving with this engine is not observed, so how good is the 1,8-liter motor with the full load of the car is a big question. However, it is somehow on cars of the V- and C-class with 1.2 liters engines. Try, but go.
Contrary to expectations, on the road Minivan behaves almost in a passenger. Of course, the high center of gravity and comfortable suspension make themselves felt, but you will not make a family car squat and tough. In addition, this car is not intended for active zajalis - it is much closer to a leaning ride with luggage up to the regiment of the cargo compartment. Ride the country highways on C4 Picasso is just nice. He perfectly holds straight, and in the turns does not require constant correction of the trajectory, like some competitors. The only thing that lack informativeness on the steering wheel. With an increase in the angle of rotation of the steering wheel of the rise of an effort, aspiring to return it to the zero position, does not occur.
Of course, the driver actively helps a variety of electronics. I would even say, too active: For example, a warning system for unintentional crossing of markup is used here (the driver reminds of this vibromotor in the chair) and parking assistance. The latter does not just warn about the approach to the obstacle, as a parking sensor, but also freeze free space on the side of the road and gives a diagnosis: Does the car be sure to fit here?
The new minivan should be on sale already in the late spring. About prices can only be guessing because there is no official information about this. It is clear one cheapest version of C4 Picasso is unlikely to cost less than $ 27,000. Dear, of course, but the French have the right to expect that the Decisive Buyer will appreciate all the frills of C4 Picasso, which competitors cannot boast. Well, wait to see.
 
Alexey Tikhonov
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

A source: Carclub.ru.