Citroen C3 gets the Picasso flair

With the C3 Picasso, Citroen is introducing a new and more spacious car concept that is expected to play a leading role in the smaller MPV segment. The new car is expected to be available in early 2009. The C3 Picasso bears all the hallmarks of Citroen creativity, with its bold styling and innovative architecture. The high-set seating and onboard visibility will delight all passengers, while the vehicle"s complete and intuitive modular design will make their day-to-day life a charm. The newcomer"s nimble road holding will satisfy drivers looking for pleasure and involvement at the wheel. The C3 Picasso"s particularly novel design makes it small outside and spacious inside. It measures 4.08m long, 1.73m wide and 1.62m tall and has a surprisingly compact front end and a striking vertical rear end. These original proportions provide a surprising amount of cabin room. The boot is equally spacious, boasting up to 500 litres volume under the parcel shelf with all five seats in place. Citroen claims that the new C3 Picasso has a modular design that allows owners to optimise interior space in record time. The split-fold rear seats slide independently over 150 mm for the comfort of all passengers. The seats can be folded away with one hand in one simple movement using controls on the upper part of the rear seat backs. Combined with a mobile boot floor, this function provides a completely flat loading space right up to the seatbacks in row one. Load length can be further extended by folding the front passenger seat back down into desk position. Citroen claim that the driving position offers unrivalled wide-angle vision thanks to the new, three-part windscreen with slim pillars and the high seating position that gives drivers a commanding view of the road. The cabin area is wrapped in a glass envelope, allowing the light to flood in. At up to 4.52 m with the panoramic roof, the glazed surface on the C3 Picasso is one of the largest in the segment. C3 Picasso"s compact dimensions and tight turning circle make it impressively agile and able to dodge obstacles with ease. The C3 Picasso is also fitted with a range of economical engines. It will be fitted with two new-generation petrol engines - the 1.4 VTi 95 and 1.6 VTi 120 - and two diesels, the 1.6 HDi 90 and 1.6 HDi 110 DPFS, renowned for their driving pleasure and efficiency. These engines provide low CO2 emissions, with the HDi 90 unit emitting just 125 g/km.