Test Drive Citroen C3 Picasso since 2008 Hatchback

Citroen C3 Picasso - Tequila in French

What can be done with a cactus? If he is beautiful, then put on the windowsill or table. Mexicans eate them, of course, pre-separating and prepared. And modern youth thinks that of them make a popular club drink tequila. In fact, Tequila is made from Blue Agava, which is no longer a relationship to cactis, than Winnie the Pooh to underwater swimming. But Citroen made a car from cactus!
So, a couple of years ago, Citroen introduced an extravagant concept of C-Cactus on the car dealership in Frankfurt. Something incomprehensible whether the hatchback, or a single-lifter, or a crossover. Visitors and journalists hithali-jammed and safely about a strange novelty forgotten. And in vain. The ideas of the cactus per year mutated and turned into a serial Citroen C3 Picasso. With whom we met at the presentation of the machine dedicated to the start of sales in Russia.
I do not know whether such tequila will have to do with our compatriots, but the Great Spanish artist would fully approve the design of a compact one-lift with its own stroke. After all, Pablo Picasso is considered one of the founders of the cubism, and the bright colors offered for C3 Picasso, it would not have had to get used to it. A cubic dice perfectly dilutes the dull and blunt Moscow fleet on the car and random passers-by, and the neighbors in the flow.
 
In terms of its size Citroen C3 Picasso, accurate is accurate between the usual C3 hatchback and the compact position XSARA Picasso 4078 mm in length, 1730 mm wide and 1621 mm in height. By the way, the clearance is quite Russian 17.4 centimeters
Inside the topic of the rectangle continues. Original ventilation system deflectors with aluminum edging, extended instrument panel, made by expressing the language of the Citroenovers, according to the concept of a winking eye. I don't know what and to whom winks there, but at night the transparent Red Oco speedometer is well combined with a dark part of secondary instruments.
 
Most of the colors offered for Citroen C3 Picasso are bright and catchy. But modest buyers will be able to choose something more traditional. For example, gray
And what a front panel! It is not enough that on this table you can put a lot of things like a card or documents, it is also performed from soft plastic with a very pleasant texture as if covered with a rough cloth. And in the C3 Picasso Giant Cool Bardac. Our car could additionally boast a light and rain sensor, heated seats and even two-zone climate control.
 
Ergonomics C3 Picasso at a good level. The steering wheel is adjustable in height, and by departure. And the lever of the gearbox falls right in the hand. By the way, an additional 5-speed box after one and a half or two years should replace the 6-speed unit. A robotic transmission will appear (apparently, the same as on C4 Picasso), and the START / STOP system
True, the engine is basic. The 1,4-liter gasoline Motor joint development BMW and the PSA concern develops 95 forces and 135 nm of torque. Few? There is a more powerful version with the engine from the same family, but already 115-strong, 1.6 liter volume. All of them are combined only with a mechanical 5-speed gearbox. There are no automatic C3 Picasso in nature according to Citroen studies, 69% of classmates are bought precisely with mechanics.
 
The dynamics of C3 Picasso allows you to feel pretty confident and in the urban time, and on the highway. But still it is a pity that the diesel versions of the machine (90 and 110 forces) are not supplied to us. However, with good demand, Citroen does not exclude such an opportunity.
However, even with mechanics with unhurried ride, there is no problem. The clutch is light, transfers stick up without extra effort. But it is necessary to go more or less actively, as claims appear immediately. First of all to the gearbox. The old 5-step unit is completely not happy with long strokes and cotton selection. And the motor, even if it is quite good, but really wakes up only after 4 thousand revolutions.
 
Citroen C4 Picasso is done by no means in France, but at the factory in the Slovak city of Trnava. The planned annual output of 110 thousand trains. Of these in Russia until the end of 2009, Citroenovets want to realize 2 thousand cars
And sorry ruls the machine is very good for a high body. The Michelin Energy Saver tires, of course, is not the best ally to attack turns and give up first, but if you drive without fanaticism, they cope. And at high speeds C3 Picasso will not cause the driver of unpleasant emotions directly holds well. It can accelerate to 178 km / h, and the mark 100 speedometer arrow runs 12.2 seconds after the start. True, on the lying police and major irregularities, the suspension is a little lack of energy intensity. The situation is aggravated and heavy stamped 16-inch drives shock absorbers reluctantly cope with their oscillations. So it is better to pay extra for cast, which is not only easier, but also look good.
 
The main customer audience of Citroen C3 Picasso family leading an active lifestyle. And the French do not consider the car frankly youth, counting on the whole range of ages
Some words deserve the visibility, which was given a lot of attention when developing C3 Picasso. Main chip Double front body racks. Say that in them, because most of the compactners have similar architecture? The difference is that the power structure includes racks that closer to the center, and the long-distance drivers are made subtle they do not carry loads. Plus a large windshield, which provides an overview vertically up to 27 degrees.
 
For surcharge, you can order not only a glass panoramic roof, but also six airbags. Citroen note that four stars in the Euroncap rating are associated only with a change in the technique now five-stroke machines are required to have an ESP in the standard equipment of the basic version of the model. If it were not for this fact, walking C3 Picasso with a five in a healer
All these measures and the huge area of \u200b\u200bglazing (with an optional glass roof of 4.52 square meters) really worked the visibility as if you were sitting in the aquarium (in the positive sense of the word). And the thin front rack makes it easier to move in turns. By the way, one of the advantages of Citroen C3 Picasso also in high landing behind the wheel what is needed for urban crowd.
 
Front seats comfortable, although I would like a little more rigidity. Ranges adjustments will satisfy any driver. For heating will have to pay extra 8 thousand rubles (except for configuration Exclusive there is already in the database)
But who will appreciate the Citroen C3 Picasso fully, are passengers. The driver is once staring at the sky through the panoramic roof, and sitting behind in the buzz. Good noise insulation (here is the thick of glass in the class), good smoothness of the stroke and, most importantly, the space on the back sofa will also like everyone. Citroenovers are proudly noted by the stock of C3 Picasso's feet, no longer inferior to the larger XSara Picasso model (it is still in the ranks).
 
Separate rear seats can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction in the range of 15 centimeters. If you fold the rear armchairs and the back of the front passenger seat, then the maximum load length will be 2.41 m. By the way, Citroen declares that the C3 Picasso salon is the most spacious in the class. The French did not deceive
Citroen C3 Picasso has a couple of advantages. The first is the novelty of the model, they still did not have time to flood the streets as the main competitors like Nissan Note, Ford Fusion and Opel Meriva. And the second attractive price. After all, it is possible to purchase C3 Picasso for 499 thousand rubles with a 95-strong engine performed by Classique. Moreover, the basic equipment includes ABS, power steering, on-board computer, front and rear disc brakes, front airbags, two power windows and electric mirrors. Air conditioning for extra charge (28 thousand rubles).
 
Keyword when developing the interior of Citroen C3 Picasso quality. In general, there were no complaints about the salon, everything was comfortable and pleasant to the touch, although it was borrowed at the good defense of the concern models
The intermediate version of Confort will pull at least 555 thousand, and the top execution of Exclusive costs from 607 thousand, but there are already six airbags (including blinds), there is an ESP system, two-zone climate control, parking sensors and other charms. A more powerful engine is available only in confort and exclusive versions and will cost additional 26 thousand rubles (581 and 633 thousand, respectively).
 
The possibility of transformation of the cabin at C3 Picasso at height. The rear seats are folded by one hand move, forming a smooth floor. And if you remove the rear regiment, then it is provided for it. There is no place inside. It is not necessary to leave in an apartment or garage. The volume of the luggage compartment from 500 (with a five-seated placement) to 1506 liters (if folded seats)
In general, a brief acquaintance with Citroen C3 Picasso has shown that it is not a barbed, but very friendly. Original appearance, funny interior, as well as good capacity and developed capabilities of the interior transformation like all the ingredients in place, and the recipe is not bad. But to love tequila, you must first try it. And Citroen makes a big bet on Russia, a country where sedans and vodka traditionally prefer. Do compatriots will appreciate an exotic drink?
ALTERNATIVE
FORD FUSION.
Started the market, Ford Fusion, now hardly can compete with C3 Picasso. And it's not just a modest design and outdated interior. And in prices that start with 597,600 rubles for the basic package of Core with a 80-strong 1.4-liter engine is almost 100 thousand more expensive C3 Picasso Classique. It includes 4 airbags, ABS, fog lights and an amplifier steering wheel. But for the front electric windows, the on-board computer and the electric board will have to pay extra. Well packaged Fusion Trend and pulls at all for 635 thousand.
However, Ford Fusion can be bought with a machine gun. The 1.4-liter version is equipped with a robotic manual transmission, and more powerful Fusion 1.6 is equipped with a 4-range hydrotransformer automatic transmission. The robot increases the price of 27 thousand rubles, and the usual machine will facilitate the wallet for additional 32 thousand.
Nissan Note.
Nissan Note is slightly cheaper than Ford Fusion, but also it does not withstand comparisons in price with Citroen. For Note in the Comfort configuration with a 1.4-liter 88-strong engine and mechanical dealers will ask at least 562 500 rubles. And equipped with it will be identical to the base C3 Picasso, but at the same time, like Ford, it does not have an adjustment of the steering wheel.
Automatic gearbox can be ordered only in combination with a 110-strong motor volume of 1.6 liters. But such a note will cost at least 650,900 rubles for 26,200 rubles more than the same machine on mechanics.
Opel Meriva.
Opel Meriva will have to lay at least 583 thousand rubles. It will be a 90-strong MERIVA 1.4 in the modest configuration of Essentia, deprived and electrostroyol, and an electric board. But 2 airbags and ABS are present here. More solid execution enjoy pulls on all 601,600 rubles.
Robotic gearbox EasyTronic combines exclusively with a 1.6-liter 105-strong motor worth such a Meriva Enjoy 639,600 rubles. By the way, a 70-strong turboodiesel volume of 1.3 liters in a pair with 5-speed mechanics is also offered for Meriva. Diesel Meriva is worth the same 639,600 rubles.
Skoda Roomster.
Original and spacious Skoda Roomster with a 1.4-liter engine capacity of 86 hp And the mechanics costs from 549 thousand rubles. At the same time, the style of Style includes not only the familiar kit like ABS, front-base pillows, power steering and front windows, but also air conditioning.
And for 105-strong Skoda Roomster 1.6 with a six-speed machine, you need to pay at least 639 thousand rubles (50 thousand more than a similar machine with a handle.
Kia Soul.
A novelty of Korea Compact Kia Soul crossover, which is also addressed to young and active. Basic engine 1.6-liter fourthine with a capacity of 124 hp And the standard equipment includes ABS, 2 airbags, air conditioning, heated electric boiled and even 16-inch alloy wheels. There is such a SOUL 599 thousand rubles.
Automatic checkpoint is available only in combination with a 128-strong turbodiesel of the same volume. Such a SOUL is offered exclusively in the Suite version and costs 699 thousand. Soul comfort with this motor, but the mechanical box will cost 50 thousand cheaper.
Honda Jazz.
The new Honda Jazz is offered only with a 1.4-liter 100-power engine and stands in the basic version of Elegance as much as 615,000 rubles. But at the same time, Honda boasts a magnificent equipment here six pillows, climate control, heated mirrors and electrical out, heated front seats, ABS, and even ESP. Exactly the same car with a robotic checkpoint costs 30,700 rubles more expensive.

Vadim Gagarin
Photo by the author and company Citroen
 
 

A source: AUTO.Mail.Ru.