Citroen Prices New Seven-Seater Grand Picasso for UK Market

The roomier variant of Citroen’s new C4 Picasso MPV, the C4 Grand Picasso, has just received its official pricing information for the UK. It starts at £19,200 and rises to £27,855, promising prospective owners a “best-in-class combination of versatility, cabin space & accessibility.”

Built on the same new EMP2 platform that also underpins the smaller Picasso and the all-new Peugeot 308, it too is significantly lighter than its predecessor – the manufacturer claims the number is 110 kg (240 lbs), but that’s probably at one end of the extreme with none of the extra weight-adding gadgets specified.

Despite being a fairly big car, it promises excellent maneuverability in town thanks to the shortest overhangs in its class. At the front, it’s 11.6 cm (4.6 in) shorter than before, yet sports a wheelbase extended by roughly the same margin.

Unique features over the five-seater model include a very different side profile, altered front fascia and 3D effect rear lights and a different-design wrap-around tailgate. The integrated roof rails are a nice touch too.

The cabin comes with the exact same uncluttered design that looks modern and promises to be functional too – we’ve heard that the touchscreen unit they fit to higher-spec models is not the most responsive in the world, but that will probably be improved in time.

Access to the rearmost row is said to be best in class and each individual chair can be folded into the floor – with both it and the second row folded there are 2,181 liters of usable space that can be accessed through the widest-opening boot in its class, says Citroen.

Engines are carried over from the smaller Picasso. Now, despite the lower weight of the model, I think the e-HDI 90 variant is not the one to go for, even if its claimed economy figure when coupled to the automated manual (ETG6) gearbox is 74.3 mpg. The more potent e-HDI 115 returns a 70.6 mpg, but you’ll much more likely to get closer to it as you won’t be continuously shifting gears to access the (still) narrow torque band of the aging fixed-vane turbo 1.6-liter HDi diesel, an engine that chokes on its own particulate filter anyway…

Petrol-powered models are also available and the VTi 120 with a manual gearbox makes up the bottom of the range. Check out the full list of prices and gallery below.

By Andrei Nedelea

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Spied: New Citroen Jumpy May be Inspired by Tubik Concept

It's only a test mule for now, but the Citroen prototype for a Jumpy replacement in the small commercial van and people carrier category that was nabbed by our spies suggests that the French automaker may very well draw inspiration from the impressive Tubik concept van displayed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The test mule seen in these shots is wearing a very Tubik-like stubby face with higher-placed headlamps on the modified body of a current Jumpy. While the production model won't be as avant-garde as the concept, it will have a more distinct character than the rather plain-looking current model.

Our spies tell us they've heard rumors that Citroen may even use the Tubik moniker on the passenger version of the van, much like VW does with the Caravelle and Multivan versions of the T5.

The new Jumpy should be ready for production sometime next year.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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Citroën UK’s Love Affair with Pink Continues with DS3 DStyle Pink and DS3 DSport Pink Specials

Citroën UK’s marketing people seem to have a soft spot for pink, as they have released two new special edition DS3 models called DStyle Pink and DSport Pink. On sale from January 2014, the two DS3 Pink models are available with White & Black body colors and feature “Fuchsia Touch” interior and exterior trim.

According to Citroën UK, the DS3 Pink “is a fun, fresh and fuchsia take on Citroën’s award-winning supermini.” Exclusive to the UK, the two special edition models start from £15,675 (€18,875).

All Citroën DS3 Pink models feature a fuchsia pink roof, door mirrors and wheel center caps, with the pink theme being carried over inside the cabin, where there’s a fuchsia dashboard and a color coded gear lever knob.

The special edition models are available with Polar White or Perla Nera Black body colors and bring additional features to the existing DStyle and DSport equipment levels.

The DS3 Dstyle Pink features 16-inch “Ashera” Black or White alloy wheels matching the body color, as well as a HiFi System upgrade with additional speakers on top of the usual DStyle specification. The range-topping DSport Pink brings 17-inch “Bellone” Black or White alloys, plus the “City Signature” pack including automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, heated and electric folding door mirrors and a front central armrest.

The DS3 DStyle Pink is available with either a VTi 120 petrol engine or an e-HDi 90 Airdream diesel, while the DS3 DSport Pink can be specced with either a THP 155 petrol or an e-HDi 115 Airdream diesel engine, both mated to 6-speed manual transmissions.

By Dan Mihalascu

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