Citroen Picasso gets ‘Vision’
BY MIKE COSTELLO | 8th Nov 2012
The Picasso ‘Vision’ gets extras including integrated satellite-navigation, a full-length glass sunroof, a separately opening rear window (supplementary to the folding tailgate) and auto-folding rear-view mirrors, and is priced from $38,990 drive-away.
In comparison, the regular 2.0-litre HDi variant on which the Vision is based is priced from $37,990 plus on-roads, or $39,990 drive-away.
This places the Euro contender right in the thick of it amongst the seven-seat people-mover and 2WD SUV rivals like the Honda Odyssey (from $37,100 plus on-roads), Dodge Journey ($38,000), Ford Territory ($39,990) and Hyundai Santa Fe ($36,990), to name a few.
The Picasso is sold in Australia exclusively with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 120kW/340Nm matched to an EGS ‘robotised manual’ auto transmission. Fuel consumption is listed as a frugal 6.8 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
The car is based on the C4 hatch, but Citroen says it makes the most of its relatively small proportions with sliding and folding rear and middle seats and a jacked-up ride height like an SUV.
Standard features already found include a detachable rechargeable torch in the boot, drinks cooler in the dashboard, picnic tables for the middle seat row, power points front and rear, under floor lockers, auto headlights, lights and wipers and middle-side window blinds.
Citroen will no doubt be hoping for a sales jump following the addition of the Vision package, since only 123 units have been sold so far this year – down 47 per cent – enough for a people-mover market share of just 1.4 per cent.
Despite the slow sales, general manager of Citroen Australia Miles Williams said the Picasso leads its people-mover rivals in several departments.
“The biggest windscreen in its class forms part of the largest glazed area the least cluttered dashboard design is complemented the simplest folding rear seating system contributes that to the boot volume, (and) there are class-leading levels of elbowroom and the best all-round visibility,” he said.
“For added reassurance the C4 Picasso has recorded the highest EuroNCAP score for adult occupant protection.”
