Citroen Technospace concept car (2013) first pictures

Don't be fooled by the concept car ruse: this is the new Citroen C4 Picasso in almost showroom-ready spec. Citroen hasn't even gone to the trouble of fitting massive wheels and cameras for mirrors to play up the concept car claim. This is Citroen's next compact MPV, due on sale in the second half of 2013.

The next Citroen C4 Picasso will use the company's lighter 'EMP2' underpinnings. Like Mazda's 'SkyActiv' technology, and the new VW Golf's MQB platform, it's a highly versatile piece of kit that'll be used in several future Peugeot-Citroen models, streamlining production processes. It also saves weight, so expect future Citroen MPVs to feel more agile and return improved fuel economy.

Citroen quotes a 98g/km CO2 output figure for the Technospace, without revealing powertrain details. The current C4 Picasso's greenest model (the 1.6-litre e-HDI diesel) scores 120g/km CO2 and a claimed 58.9mpg.

The Technospace is slightly shorter and lower than the existing C4 Picasso. Slim split A-pillars are carried over, but the Technospace shuns that existing Piccaso's trademark wavy windowline. There are double-decker Nissan Juke-style headlights, and the '3D effect' rear lights are inspired by the Citroen DS3 Cabriolet.

Inside, there's a 12-inch touchscreen interface, and a 537-litre boot that Citroen reckons is the most commodious in the class. Quite a claim for a car that's apparently just a concept...

We'll see the Citroen Technospace concept in the metal when it's exhibited at the 2013 Geneva motor show, from 5 March 2013.

By Ollie Kew