Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (2013) first official pictures

This is the cavernous new Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, a bigger version of the C4 Picasso MPV we recently tested.

The Grand Picasso stands 4590mm long – the same as its predecessor – but sees its wheelbase stretched to the longest in its class for maximum cabin space and enormous door openings. What it does share with the regular Picasso is a lightweight body structure and frugal downsized engines.

The C4 Grand Picasso sits on PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s new EMP2 platform – it’s a modular chassis structure that’s already used for the new Peugeot 308 hatchback and Citroen C4 Picasso. The extra stiffness and cabin space it liberates would be pointless if it added too much weight, but the new architecture actually contributes to a 110kg weight saving over the old seven-seater Picasso.

Citroen claims the second- and third-row seats offer the most legroom in the seven-seat MPV class, and the easiest access, thanks to long-travel sliding seats and rear doors. Also claimed to be unique in this segment is a set of air vents for the rear-most passengers. At a minimum of 645 litres, the boot is 69 litres bigger than the outgoing model too.

Mechanically, the Grand Picasso shares powertrains with its not-so-Grand sister, so there’s a choice of 1.6-litre petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines. The most purse-friendly is the e-HDi 90 Airdream unit, which only coughs out 98g/km of CO2, meaning free road tax. There’s also an all-new BlueHDi 150 too, emitting 110g/km of C02. Buyers can pick a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox on any model.

The touchscreen-centric dashboard is carried over from the C4 Picasso, meaning an array of downloadable apps and customisable 7in and 12in displays for front-seat occupants to play with.
Although the four-eyed front styling is carried over from the five-seater, the Grand Picasso gets a new tail-gate with strange C-shaped light clusters and contrasting roof pillars. The 18in alloys pictured here are designed to cut drag too – it’s an eye-catching design for a mumsy MPV, but is it enough to tempt buyers out of SUVs and back into the traditional people-carrier? Add your comments below.

By Ollie Kew