TOUR OF “PICASSO”

TOUR OF THE Compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso. Readers of “M-K” is not the first time meet in the pages of the journal about the famous French car company Citroen. The last time it was in No. 10, 2005, edition of told car enthusiasts about finding this company’s corporate identity, the Foundation of which was laid in 1948 in the design of the mini Citroen 2CV. The first successor “De shvo” (“Two horses”—named 2CV) was the Citroen C3 2002, followed by the car of a Golf class C4 (2005), and here is a new one-volume front-wheel-drive seven-seat compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso, unveiled at the Paris motor show 2006. It has grown in size compared to its predecessor, but the characteristics of the corporate style equally blended in his look.

 

C4 Picasso—as well as its predecessor the release in 2005—was also created on the platform of car of a Golf class PF2, however, in the line of Citroen cars of the company he stands alone. Belonging to the class of compact MPV has forced designers to make numerous changes to the design of the basic model. So, the engineers had to strengthen the front suspension, new rear beam, to develop a new features for steering. All of these measures were required due to the fact that the compact MPV was a little heavier than its predecessor by almost 200 kg.
 
As already mentioned, the cabin of the compact MPV—seven-seat. However, in fairness I must say that the third row seats though are declared as full-size, but in reality it should be attributed more to a child. As for second-row passengers, they can sit in the cabin is completely free. The feeling of comfort add the folding tables, over which (in expensive versions C4) are mounted DVD players.
 
The compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso, supplied to Russia, have a 2-liter capacity 143 HP 1.8-liter (petrol) engine power of 127 HP And the first equipped with the four-speed automatic transmission or sport transmission SensoDrive, which is a 6-speed manual transmission combined with a device for automatic clutch and gear shift. The latter has also a manual shift mode—transmission can be changed using steering levers. Well, the 1.8-liter engines are equipped with only 5-speed manual transmission. In addition to the petrol, the firm complements the car and two diesel engines with a particulate filter with capacity of 110 and 138 HP
 
Compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso 2006 model
 
Compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso 2006 model
 
Continuity of a corporate style when creating a Citroen. Top to bottom: Citroen 2CV of 1948; Citroen Sz 2002 issue; Citroen C4 of the 2005 issue; Citroen C4 Picasso 2006 model
 
The continuity of a corporate style when creating a Citroen.
 
Top to bottom: Citroen 2CV of 1948; Citroen Sz 2002 issue; Citroen C4 of the 2005 issue; Citroen C4 Picasso 2006 model

 
Geometry of compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso
 
Geometric diagram of the compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso
 
Comfort suspension—this is what separates Picasso from cars as classmates. First and foremost, this applies to the rear air suspension which not only preserves the ground clearance regardless of the load on the machine, but also provides a comfortable driving the vehicle and the required level of security.
 
A tour of the compact MPV is best to start with the driver’s seat. The car is a truly gigantic panoramic windscreen giving excellent visibility of the road and better front visibility. In this case the vertical angle is 70 degrees (typical car of this type—around 35 degrees). For those who even in the car can’t do without sky, by order establish a huge skylight—the glass area of the machine is 6.4 m2—a record figure for a car of this class. The side Windows of the car with narrow windscreen pillars also contribute to enhancing the front view with driver’s and front passenger seats. Unfortunately, rainy weather greatly reduces the review—”wipers” about a third can’t reach the top edge of the window.
 
In General, Picasso is a very spacious vehicle configuration and dimensions of which create an impressive amount of interior in order that it comfortably housed seven passengers. It should be noted that C4 is the biggest in the class of compact MPV, the distances between all three rows of seats. Access to the seats of the third row much easier thanks to the original design of the outboard seats of the second row: if necessary, the cushion side of the seat is automatically drawn toward the backrest and the chair moves forward, close to the front seatbacks, creating a fairly wide aisle.
 
The interior of a compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso seven-seat version
 
The interior of a compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso seven-seater variant
 
The interior of the front of the cabin. The photo clearly visible a Central display and four
 
The interior of the front of the cabin. The photo clearly visible a Central display and four “glove” box, with the Central cooling
 
The seats in the third row can be folded separately
 
The seats in the third row can be folded separately

 
All chairs — a wide range of adjustment, in accordance with the needs of the driver and passengers. The third row seats easily—with just one movement of a hand are added and removed under the floor without removing the headrests, thereby forming a Luggage compartment with a capacity of more than polycabonate with a completely flat and smooth floor. Also easy to fold and the seats of the second row in this C4 Picasso is turning into a fairly spacious passenger pickup.
 
In the process of developing the C4 Picasso, the engineers laid its design a number of functional elements of comfort that make the vehicle optimal habitat conditions—the temperature, sound and air quality. This C4 is equipped with chetyrehbalnoy automatic climate control with individual adjustment of air supply to the right and to the left on the second row of seats. And provided additional climate-control for air distribution to the second and third rows of seats and to the Luggage compartment. To reduce noise inside the cabin side is provided a multilayer glass with a high degree of sound insulation.
 
The quality of the atmosphere in the cabin is controlled with a special sensor that prevents the ingress into the cockpit along with the outside air of harmful particles.
 
Special attention to the developers of the machine was paid to the interior trim—we used exclusively high—quality materials, spectacular and chrome coating metal parts with a shiny, black, soft color plating, high quality plastics for the dashboard and door panels with fine, grainy texture.
 
In our trips it makes sense to pay attention to a car’s steering wheel, the design of which is borrowed from the hatchback C4 release 2005: the “wheel”— a spinning rim and the stationary hub, performs the function of another control panel installed on it keys the radio, the device Parking assistance, speed limiter, system-cruise control car cell phone. And, of course, with a wide pressing the horn switch. In addition, the hub is the driver’s airbag (by the way, in addition to equipping of C4 includes six pillows).
 
Technical characteristics of Citroen C4 Picasso compact MPV
 
Technical data compact MPV Citroen C4 Picasso
 
On the center display can show the various digital and graphic information—in particular, the map Navigator
 
The Central display can show a variety of numerical and graphical information—in particular, the map Navigator
 
As a separate option on the Citroen C4 Picasso can be installed turning bi-xenon headlights that can turn to cover a dead area inside of it
 
As a separate option on the Citroen C4 Picasso can be installed turning bi-xenon headlights that can turn to illuminate the dead zone the inner part of
 
In the Parking lot of the compact van the driver will help a special device that independently evaluates the size of gaps between cars. Top left—graphic information on the Central display
 
When Parking compact van the driver will help a special device that independently evaluates the size of gaps between cars. Top left—graphic information on the Central display
 
Scheme a compliance system of tiering, which is mounted in the seat vibrators informs the driver of the car crossing the road marking line
 
The scheme of work of a compliance system of tiering, which is mounted in the seat vibrators informs the driver of the car crossing the road marking line
 
Air suspension rear axle is able to maintain a horizontal position of the body at different variants of loading of the passenger compartment and also allow lowering to 140 mm, the surface of the cargo area of the trunk.
 
Air suspension rear axle is able to maintain a horizontal position of the body at different variants of loading of the passenger compartment and also allow lowering to 140 mm, the surface of the cargo area of the trunk.
 
Suspension device
 
The device suspension:
 
1—absorber; 2—pneumologist; 3—the support of the pneumologist; 4—cross-member suspension

 
If we are talking about steering, it is worth mentioning the original system of monitoring compliance with the vehicle lane when driving. Using six infrared sensors, the system continuously monitors the highway—if traveling at speeds above 80 km/h when the driver starts the rebuild of the series in a row, not including the pre-turn, at the intersection of the compact MPV a continuous or intermittent line of a marking begins to work one of two vibrators mounted under the driver’s seat—right at the intersection of the lines of the right and left—if the car when driving to his left.
 
And another system that improves the safety of driving the C4 is turning bi-xenon headlights, allows the bends to literally Shine around the corner. However, to install such lights on the car only for a fee.
 
A few words about the system of assistance when Parking. When moving with a speed of 20 km/h along the row of parked cars the system beeps and displays a message on the display if the size of the detected gap between cars adequate Parking.
 
In General, systems that facilitate the work of the driver, the S4 a lot. In particular, the brake, commonly called a “Parking brake”, electric machines, with automatic functions on-off and start to move off on a steep incline—that is, disconnects it at the beginning of the movement. However, the automatic “Parking brake” can be turned off completely—at the same time to put the car on the Parking brake or remove using the key switch.
 
We have already compared the C4 Picasso C4 hatchback edition 2005, and in conclusion, another comparison—the last were sold in Russia for $16 900, but first you will have to pay at least $28 990.
 
I. EVSTRATOV

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