Citroen Xsara Picasso test drive since 2004 minivan
Car Citroen Xsara Picasso
General Currently, in Europe you will not surprise anyone with a car, the type of which is customary to be called a single -embrace. It is enough to recall, for example, the Volkswagen Golf Touran car recently appeared on the Japanese market. And it all started in 1996, when the Renault Megane Scenic car debuted. Following Scenic, which made a lot of noise, Opel in 1999 produces a 7-local car with three rows of Zafira seats, after which the model of another French manufacturer Citroen manufactured in 2000. I mean the model Citroen Xsara Picasso.
And then, finally, the Citroen Xsara Picasso car can be purchased in Japan. In fact, among actively propagating European single-combatants, this model is the oldest. The history of his appearance resembles another French car, Scenic. In the same way, Citroen had a XSARA C model, which was quite sold. Based on this model, they made a car with an increased salon. The cabins were located in the same way as in the first generation of the Renault Scenic model, that is, in two rows with a total number of seats, equal to 5. And behind the three legs, an additional overturning chair is installed. Such a layout of the cabin is quite familiar to European single -crews.
Among the small -scale single -combatants in Europe, which immediately picked up a new undertaking in the automotive industry, the model in question differs increased by 22 cm compared to the XSARA base machine (2760 mm) with an intake distance. By the way, when the XSARA model first appeared, its competitor of the Renault Scenic machine was 2580 mm, like the hatchback of the same name. And Opel Zafira, with its 7th sedentary places, had a 2695 mm wheelbase, the same as that of the Subaru Traviq car. Then the Scenic model went through complete modernization, Scenic II became called, and its base was increased to 2685 mm (6 cm more than that of the hatchback). At the same time, the Volkswagen Touran single -coat has 2675 mm between the axes (more than 10 cm than Volkswagen Golf). Thus, all these cars that are designed for 7 seats were with a smaller wheelbase than the 5-local Xsara Picasso model. But this does not mean at all that the Xsara Picasso body is more than competitors. On the contrary, among European single -combatants this is one of the most compact cars (only 4280 mm).
Moments worthy of a positive assessment
It is hardly worth reminding that the largest wheelbase of the Xsara Picasso car in its class most directly affected the volume of the cabin. But this increase in the intersective distance, in addition, in the most positive way affected its running qualities. In fact, this car is remarkable for both the convenience of control and the operation of controlled wheels. The basic machine Xsara, by the way, these
the indicators were also on top, in a traditionally French style. Fascinating in its ease, the obedience of the machine to any movement of the steering wheel - all this is one of the undeniable advantages of the XSARA machine. The new Xsara Picasso model has become higher and, therefore, heavier. But, nevertheless, she did not lose the merits of her predecessor, which is explained, first of all, corresponding to the adjustment of the suspension. But the increased distance between the axes is also of great importance here, perhaps the largest of all the now manufactured machines of the Citroen brand, even more than that of the C5 model. All tremors caused by irregularities of the road, all longitudinal and transverse blows are neutralized due to the exact operation of the suspension. But this is not the most important thing. Surprise is that in the car you almost do not feel the speed of turning the body around the longitudinal axis at a bend. And on the other hand, there is no unnatural behavior of the body, which you often feel in other cars at the moment when it begins to actively counteract this roll. It cannot be said that among the latest samples of the Xsara Picasso body, the best indicator in terms of twisting resistance, however, thanks to a skilly balanced suspension, the machine retains resistance to the departure in the direction on any situation on the road. In addition, the operation of the steering mechanism of all models of the XSARA series, including the XSARA/Black hatchback, differs, on the one hand, a very accurate reaction of the machine to any minor movement of the steering wheel. And on the other hand, the most insignificant details of the road surface are transmitted in the palm of the palm of the hand. According to both of these indicators, cars of this series, I dare to say, have very few analogues. The model under consideration has a more moderate adjustment of the suspension of controlled wheels, but, nevertheless, driving a machine, no, no, and you will remember that pleasure, then a feeling of handling of a car that the one who has been sitting behind the wheel of the Xsara hatchback will never forget.
What are the problems?
As you know, the Xsara Picasso model began to be supplied to Europe in early 2000. And only after more than 4 years I got to Japan. In truth, the implementation of the Japanese market of machine analogues (I mean Opel Zafira and Renault Scenic) was not the best way. In addition, during these 4 years there was a dispute, who to engage in the sale of Citroen brand in Japan. Finally it was decided: it would be Citroen Japan yes, there were many reasons why the Xsara Picasso model could not get to the Japanese market for so long, but the most important of them was that it initially went only with a manual transmission. However, in January last year, Citroen released a model that is fully complied by the requirements of the Japanese market, namely, a 2-liter gasoline engine and an automatic transmission. The problem, it would seem, is resolved. Further, in the spring of this year, the model passed small modernization and only after that began to enter Japan.
Such a version of the Picasso model (2-liter engine and automatic transmission) was waited for this version of the Picasso model. Although the truth is that the same was also expected from the Peugeot 307 model, since there was definitely a shortage of golf class machines with a 4-step automatic transmission. The Picasso car, without the seats of the third row and possessing a relatively small weight (1360 kg), was attributed to the group of lightweight single -combatants. Thus, by the standards of machines of this class, it has quite suitable traction characteristics. But, surpassing its competitors in some parameters, the Picasso car loses that with an energetic driving manner in it, if compared with similar models, some would show, I would say, the haste of the transition from transmission to transmission. Look, the leader of this category of this Golf Touran car is a 6-step automatic gearbox, on a similar Japanese manufacturing machine Toyota Wish with a two-liter engine is installed by an endless variator, and an automatic machine with 5 speeds is installed on the Honda Stream machine. So it turns out that in order to give the Citroen car (however, as well as Peugeot) more attractiveness, to remarkable comfort and controllability, it is required to add at least a 5-step automatic gearbox or an endless variator (CVT) as soon as possible.
Since the seven -seater Opel Zafira has been represented in Europe with great success, many events have occurred. The PEUGEOT 307/Black SW model was released, a second -generation Renault Scenic machine appeared, then Golf Touran. And they all went in two versions: five -seater with two rows of seats and seven -seater with three. And, in addition, models of small -scale single -breasters, analogues of the Japanese minivan are actively developed. And suddenly one of the veterans and the initiators of this direction, the Xsara Picasso car demonstrates its commitment exclusively to two rows of seats and a five -seater salon! I agree, this is largely a return by 2000 and the loss of dynamism, this can create difficulties with the implementation. It would seem right. And, nevertheless, I personally do not really agree that only an option with three rows of seats in Japan can be in demand in Japan. Well, for example, the Xsara Picasso car has 5 seats, and thanks to this, Golf Touran is more light than the seven-seater car for 170-240 kg. The difference is 200 kilograms, does it not affect running qualities, doesn’t it reduce fuel consumption? And what, in order to just in case, have an extra number of seats in the car, which it is necessary, perhaps, once every thousand years, to neglect the advantages of a lightweight, five-seater version of the machine? I do not think that this can be called a very rational approach.
Source: CarView.co.jp
