Test Drive Citroen C3 Picasso since 2008 Hatchback

Citroen C3 Picasso. Calmness, only calm

Citroen C3 Picasso. Price: not defined. On sale: since June 2009
The Road Premiere of the New French One-Unit Citroen C3 Picasso on the Golden Catalan coast is largely symbolic. In popularity in the Eastern provinces of Spain with the cars of the French brand, the local seat can compete. And the gentle sandy beaches of Costa Daurada create exactly the only possible mood of full peace and peace, with which you need to sit behind the steering wheel of the new C3. Sharp movements and aggression French does not accept in principle
 
Test pilot
Vladimir Makkaveev, 31 years old, automotive journalist, driving experience 12 years, personal car - Volvo C30
Oh, straight Karlson is some kind of settling the colleague exclaims, looking at the deserted beach whipping outside the window with a lonely figure on the sand. The Spanish Motor Paraplaneist with the propeller behind his back and the truth is similar to the legendary Scandinavian aviator from Astrid Lindgren. But the main thing is to meet him here and now, under the curtain of the first day of the debut test drive Citroen C3 Picasso on Costa Daurad, more than symbolic! The motto Carlson's severity in the memory is still in deep childhood, only calm as it can not be better reflecting the nature of the updated French one-unifier. And we, the resulting recommended routes, still risked to go on it to the mountains! No, winding serpentines and steep climbs of the Del Garraf nature reserve is not for him. The Frenchman puffs and chips, not allowing to rise above the second transfer. Only on more or less gentle areas, it is possible to pass several ligaments of slow and medium vigorous aggregates to check the controllability of C3 Picasso. Of course, it is not felt. But for the B-Class single-compliment, it is managed quite worn. Significant rolls during lateral overloads were also guessed based on the design of the car. But the combination of pendants and installed in the factory configuration of 17-inch tires Michelin Pilot Exalto optimism no longer inspires.
Despite its soft temper, at speeds over 60 km / h, the suspension does not always have time to work out even minor irregularities of the canvas. Hard low-profile tires also cling to asphalt without special enthusiasm. Therefore, each bump in a more or less high-speed turn is fraught with a breakdown, clutch loss, or even a sharp breakdown to the skid. Too long transmissions of the 1,6-liter Citroen and the gigantic course of the KP lever also do not add optimism in the mountains. No, the mountain is not his element! Therefore, in order not to finally spoil the impressions of C3 Picasso, go back to the plain.
After all the distils here, the Frenchman at the bottom of the Frenchman opens. With a slow ride on the coastal highway, which stretches along the Costa Daurada from Barcelona to Tarragona, Citroen falls into his element and transformed. True, do not say what is drastically! The course of the KP lever is less, naturally, does not become like the transmission settings. It is possible an arbitrarily diligently in the floor of the gas pedal, the reaction of a 120-strong motor will still be as in slow motion. For the purity of the experiment, transplant the steering wheel of the 1,4-liter C3 Picasso. Fuel consumption level 85-strong motor is quite comparable to the voraciousness of a 120-power engine: in a mixed cycle, savings does not exceed 0.10.2 liters per 100 km. Of course, Citroen C3 Picasso 1.4 is slower than 1,6-liter fellow, but it seems a little more organic. It can be seen that the gears in the gearbox were selected for this engine. Although it would be even greater madness on it in the mountains.
However, each of his own. Citroen C3 Picasso was created not for racing, but for young and not very young couples with children, dogs and a lot of home scar. For unhurried supermarkets, laundry and picnics. And for this category of consumers, the new C3 Picasso seems to be an optimal car. Economical and compact outside, it is unusually spacious inside, having one of the largest salons in its class. Characteristic Rather For Mini WaNov High Front Seats Provided the rear passenger footage. And the width of the salon and is at all the largest in the segment: 143 cm in front and 140 rear. The same can be said about the volume of the trunk capacity of 500 liters. But these are only flowers. Perhaps the main goat C3 Picasso, at least in the eyes of his target audience, is a multivariate modular interior transformation system that allows it to turn it into a huge and functional luggage compartment in a blink. And the point is not even in volume as such, although 1506 liters inspire respect. Removable floor and magnetic flaps stacked on the backs of the rear seats provide a smooth surface between the backrests of the seats and the floor of the luggage compartment. And the optional Pack Voyage package, provides for a hatch for transporting skis and a fully folding front passenger chair. The last layout allows you to post oven 241 cm in the cabin. And this is in the B-Class machine with a base of 2.54 m!
But outside he does not look at all cumbersome. The combination of cubic morphology of the body and soft transition surfaces, like a convex rear window, give the appearance of C3 Picasso True French charm. The category is familiar to the top. The Citroen digital dashboard is decorated with a fairly high-quality relief plastic with a pattern that imitates the bark of the tree. The volumetric concept of windshield with dual side stands provides an angle of view in 87 unusually wide for single-volume. Thanks to this, the giant glazing area is 3,374.52 m. The best visibility is achieved, and the salon seems even more. Although much more!

We love not love
Automatically folding mirrors in cheap B-class equipment even in Europe are rarely found. True, the Russian configurations of C3 Picasso, as well as the price of the car, are not yet defined. Pleasantly
The hand brake is in the dead zone: to reach the handle, you need to raise the armrest first. Driving the same car with a raised armrest is also uncomfortable: elbow rests in the roller. Uncomfortable
The USB port and audio logs are originally disguised as a cigarette lighter well. An interesting decision, which, soon, probably will find a lot of followers. Original

Driving
Soft suspension, mediocre dynamics and not the most ideal transmission offer to active driving.
Salon
A somewhat ordinary, but roomy, with a multivariate system of modular transformation and a brilliant visibility.
Comfort
Soft suspension and spacious salon, decent sound insulation. In the minus weak side support for seats and the loud trunk door.
Safety
6 pillows and 4 EURO NCAP stars are worthy for modest single-uniform in-class.
Price
Unspecified.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Volumetric spacious salon, magnificent visibility, low fuel consumption from 6.9 l / 100 km.
- mediocre dynamics, weak side support for seats.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Citroen C3 Picasso
Dimensions - 4078x1730x1624 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1598 cm3, 120 liters. s. / 5660 min-1
Transmission - Mechanical, 5-speed
Dynamics - MAX 188 km / h; 10.9 s to 100 km / h
Competitors - Nissan Note, Opel Meriva, Hyundai Matrix, Ford Fusion

Our opinion
An optional anti-crisis car is convenient, practical, beautiful and economical. Considering the traditionally democratic price policy Citroen, C3 Picasso, even despite not some flaws, will make a worthy competition to classmates, most of which are at the final stage of their cycle.
Posted by: Vladimir Makkaveev
   
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [April 2009]