New C4 Picasso from $43,990

Citroen Automobiles Australia has announced a starting price of $43,990 plus on-road costs for its new Grand C4 Picasso, ahead of its official release on March 1.

That makes the French brand’s newest people-mover $6500 more than the cheapest C4 Picasso it replaces ($37,490 for the base Seduction 1.6 petrol) and $4500 pricier than the equivalent Seduction 2.0 diesel (from $39,490).

It also means the seven-seat C4 will be $5000 more expensive than Honda’s new Odyssey, which will itself cost $4000 more than before (from $38,990) when it hits showrooms next week.

Australia’s two top-selling people-movers continue to be priced from under $40,000, including Kia’s aged Grand Carnival (from $38,990) and Hyundai’s iMax SLX (from $38,290), although Toyota’s Tarago opens at $48,990), Volkswagen’s Multivan and the Mercedes-Benz Vito start from $49,990) and Chrysler Grand Voyager costs at least $57,500.

The first PSA Peugeot-Citroen model to be based on the company’s new modular EMP2 platform, bringing weight saving of about 100kg, the 2014 Grand C4 Picasso arrives with unchanged exterior dimensions but more interior space thanks to a longer 2840mm wheelbase.

It will be offered in just one ‘Exclusive’ specification, powered by a new BlueHDi 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine offering 110kW of power and 370Nm of torque between 2000-2500rpm.

Fitted with a fuel-saving idle-stop function and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard, it consumes just 4.5L/100km and emits only 117g/km of CO2.

Full specifications won’t be announced until the February 25 launch, but standard features will include a 360-degree camera, self-parking, blind-spot monitoring, 12-inch panoramic HD screen, seven-inch multi-function touch-screen and 17-inch alloy wheels.

“We’re very excited to introduce the all new Grand C4 Picasso in Australia,” said national marketing manager Manuel Tyras. “It’s a people-mover that drives like a car and looks very stylish, but it’s also supremely practical with ample space, high levels of safety and technology.”

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