While earlier Citroën C4 Grand Picasso models were essentially just stretched versions of the standard Picasso, the first official pictures of the 2013 C4 Grand Picasso, released in France today, show a new MPV that's strikingly different from the five-seat model.
It has a high-tech front end with chevrons that extend outwards to curve into the LED daytime-running lights, a distinctive profile with special roof bars and innovative 3D-effect LED tail lights, inspired by Citroën's recent concept cars.
At 4590mm long, 1830mm wide and 1630mm high, it's the same overall length as its predecessors, but built on the new, modular EMP2 platform, allowing the designers to stretch the wheelbase by 110mm to 2840mm, as well as lowering the engine mounts by 50mm and the floor by 20mm.
Front overhang has been reduced by 116mm and the tracks widened (by 82mm at the front and 31mm at the rear) to provide an extra 69 litres of cargo space (now 645 litres with the second row of seats in use and more than 700 litres with them pushed forward as far as they will go).
ADDING LIGHTNESS
The rear shock-absorbers have been shifted to a more upright position, which not only improves both ride and handling, but contributes to what Citroën claims is the widest cargo bay in its class, at 1170mm between the wheel-arches.
The new platform is about 60kg lighter than its predecessor, while an aluminium bonnet and a composite tailgate knock off a further 40kg, allowing Citroën to boasst that the new C4 Grand Picasso is 100kg lighter than the one it replaces.
A panoramic windscreen is standard and, together with the optional oversized glass roof, adds to a total glazed area of 5.7 square metres, while at night there's white LED lighting on the ceiling, backlit storage spaces, the tray tables on the front seat backs, and inside the door handles.
The dashboard's satin chrome and gloss inserts blend in with laser-engraved patterns on the door trim inserts, while the asymmetrical front seat is upholstered to look and feel like a sofa. The second row has three independent seats with sliding bases and tilting backs, and even the third-row seats have their own dedicated air vents.
LOUNGE PACK
The optional Lounge Pack adds front massaging seats and a 'Relax' mode passenger seat, that allows front passengers to stretch out their legs and travel 'first class', as well as 'Relax' head restraints for all the seats.
There's a lit compartment in the centre of the dashboard which has a jack and a USB port, drawers under the front seats, tray tables witrh LED lighting and storage nets on the front seat-backs and under-floor storage in row two.
The dashboard has two digital displays - a 180mm touchpad and a 300mm HD screen. The 180mm screen has seven touch-sensitive buttons that control all the in-car functions such as dual-zone air conditioning, navigation, audio, telephone and driving aids, while the big screen can be set up to display essential driving information, including data for navigationor other driving aids such as the active cruise control.
You can even load a personal photograph as a screen-saver from a USB flash drive.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
These include keyless entry and start, a reversing camera, an electric tailgate, 360 Vision using four cameras placed around the car to give the driver a bird's-eye view, a rear view or a panoramic front view, and park assist to provide automatic assistance when manoeuvring into a tight parking space, whether parallel parking or reversing straight back. All the driver has to do is manage acceleration and braking.
SAFETY
The new C4 Grand Picasso has radar-guided active cruise control in the front bumper to maintain a constant distance to the vehicle in front, using acceleration or engine braking to reduce or increase vehicle speed.
An anti-collision warning system also uses the front radar to alert the driver when the Picasso is too close to the vehicle in front, with three alert systems depending on the risk; visual, sound and seatbelt pressure.
Active seatbelts for the driver and front passenger automatically pull tight in the event of danger, and the driver's seatbelt also works with the lane departure warning system and vibrates as a warning if the car inadvertently crosses a white line without signalling.
An image-processing function for the miniature camera in the interior mirror manages the automatic high-beam function, dipping the headlights according to lighting and traffic conditions
Ultrasonic blind-spot monitoring uses an orange light on the door mirrors to warn the driver if a vehicle is present in the car's blind spot, monitoring the area up to five metres behind the rear bumper and 3.5 metres on either side.
ENGINE OPTIONS
The C4 Grand Picasso is available at launch in Europe with a choice of three turbodiesel, starting with the 66kW e-HDi 90 Airdream, for which Citroën quotes an average 3.82 litres per 100km and 98g/km of CO2 emissions.
The 85kW e-HDi 115 engine burns a claimed 4.02 litres per 100km and puffs out 104g/km, while the new, Euro 6-compliant, 110kW BlueHDi 150 with selective catalytic reduction is rated at 110g/km.
All diesel-powered Grand Picassos come with idle stop and a six-speed manual gearbox as standard; the top model is also available with a six-speed auto transmission, while the two smaller models can be had with a new, six-speed clutchless manual - which also has an automated mode.
No decision has yet been made as to whether or when the new C4 Grand Picasso will be released in South Africa.