Citroën C4 Picasso
| Company type | Product |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Citroën C4 Picasso |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Compact multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) |
| Website | www |
The Citroën C4 SpaceTourer—previously known as the C4 Picasso—along with its seven-seat variant, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer (formerly Grand C4 Picasso), is a compact five-door multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) manufactured by the French automaker Citroën. The Grand C4 Picasso was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006, followed by the launch of the five-seater model in January 2007.
Conceived by designer Donato Coco, these initial-generation vehicles share their platform and engine configurations with both the Citroën C4 and the Peugeot 307. Assembly took place at the PSA Vigo Plant located in Spain.
First generation (2006–2013)
The first iteration of the Grand C4 Picasso made its market debut in November 2006 and continued production until March 2013, utilizing the same platform and powertrains as the Citroën C4 and Peugeot 307. The smaller five-seat variant appeared shortly thereafter in early 2007 and was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.
Both versions incorporated a panoramic windshield paired with slender door pillars to enhance visibility and increase natural light inside the cabin. This was further complemented by front sun visors and supplementary blinds designed to minimize glare.
Positioned between compact seven-seat MPVs such as the Mazda Premacy and larger models like the Citroën Evasion, the Grand C4 Picasso offered a boot capacity of 500 litres, which expanded to 1,951 litres when folding down the rear seats.
Rear parking sensors were standard only on the Exclusive trim level, while an optional pneumatic rear suspension system—typically reserved for higher trims in certain regions—improved ride comfort and lowered the loading sill height.
Safety
In 2006, the first-generation C4 Picasso underwent testing by Euro NCAP (left-hand drive version) and achieved an overall five-star safety rating. Standard safety equipment included front airbags for both driver and passenger, a driver's knee airbag, side body airbags, and side head airbags.
Despite this, it received deductions due to potential leg injuries caused by dashboard design and chest injuries during side impact tests. Additionally, during frontal impact testing, the child restraint system in the rear seat tipped forward, resulting in a loss of head protection points for the infant crash test dummy.
Reliability
On the UK Reliability Index, the C4 Picasso attained a score of 111 points. The average vehicle age was recorded at 40 months, with typical repair expenses averaging £325. More than 58% of repairs involved axles and suspension components, whereas air conditioning and transmission faults were infrequent.
Between October 2010 and September 2011, the model’s MOT pass rate stood at 71.2%, surpassing Citroën’s overall average of 56.8%. Recommended service intervals vary from every 12,500 to 20,000 miles or biannually, depending on engine specification.
Second generation (2013–2022)
Revealed as the Citroën Technospace concept during the March 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the second generation of the C4 Picasso utilizes the lightweight PSA EMP2 platform, which it shares with Peugeot’s second-generation 3008 and 5008 SUVs.
This architecture resulted in a vehicle lighter than even the smaller Citroën C3 Picasso MPV. The boot offers a volume of 537 litres, which can be extended to 630 litres when folding down rear seats; additionally, the front passenger seat folds flat to accommodate items up to 2.5 metres long.
In early 2018, both models were rebranded—the five-seat became known as C4 SpaceTourer while the seven-seat was renamed Grand C4 SpaceTourer. This update also introduced an eight-speed automatic transmission replacing the former six-speed unit.
Following introduction of the C5 Aircross SUV in early 2019, production of the five-seat C4 SpaceTourer ceased in certain export markets such as the UK; however, manufacturing continued elsewhere.
While production of the five-seater ended around mid-2020, manufacturing of the seven-seat Grand C4 SpaceTourer persisted until July 2022.
Equipment
Specifications differ depending on the market, with Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) being mandatory throughout European Union countries. Key safety features integrated into the vehicle encompass Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA), Intelligent Traction Control (ITC), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The enhanced lane departure warning system (LDWS) in Exclusive+ trims employs digital image processing and lane detection technology to warn drivers through vibrations in the front seatbelt, improving safety by counteracting driver inattention.
The C4 Picasso is equipped with a rearview camera as standard, while an optional 360-degree panoramic vision system utilizes four wide-angle cameras placed at the front, rear door, and side mirrors to eliminate blind spots and facilitate parking maneuvers. Additionally, an available parking aid system uses ultrasonic sensors to detect appropriate parking spaces for semi-automated parking assistance.
A radar sensor mounted on the bumper supports Active Cruise Control (ACC) in Exclusive+ versions, monitoring the distance and speed of vehicles ahead to automatically adjust speed or apply braking to prevent collisions. Inside, a twelve-inch panoramic color display provides navigation and driving assistance tools with customizable settings. A 7-inch capacitive touchscreen tablet manages navigation, hands-free calling, multimedia, and infotainment features. The sound system consists of six Arkamys speakers powered by a bespoke amplifier, distinguishing it from other Citroën models that feature Denon audio components.
Critics highlighted the roomy cabin, boasting five square meters of interior space alongside expansive windows and slim door pillars that enhance outward visibility. Although some reviewers pointed out shortcomings in the ETG6 transmission’s responsiveness, the new chassis platform was recognized for delivering a refined ride quality and a better overall driving experience.
Safety
The second-generation C4 Picasso achieved a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP in 2013. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags with variable inflation pressures: two frontal airbags, two side airbags for passengers, and two curtain airbags designed to protect occupants’ heads from injury.
Transmissions
At launch, the C4 Picasso was fitted with Citroën’s six-speed automated manual transmission known as the "Efficient Tronic Gearbox six speed" (ETG6), which allowed seamless switching between manual and automatic modes. Despite its innovative design, the ETG6 received criticism for its hesitant response and somewhat jerky gear changes.
Starting in 2015 with the introduction of BlueHDi engines, Citroën replaced the ETG6 with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission sourced from Aisin (EAT6), resulting in smoother gear shifts and an enhanced driving experience.
All available automatic transmissions—whether the four-speed automatic, six-speed ETG, or six-speed torque converter—offer dual shifting modes controlled via a column-mounted selector: paddle-shifted manual mode or fully automatic mode with manual override capability. The ETG/automatic setup also enabled an optional cooled storage compartment located between the front seats, substituting the traditional manual gear lever.
Earlier diesel engines with 1.6-liter displacement and petrol engines introduced after 2015 incorporated a start-stop system utilizing Valeo’s i-StARS reversible starter/alternator technology. This system is marketed as e-HDi for diesel variants and e-THP for petrol models. Energy recovered during braking charges two ultracapacitors that enable engine restarts within 400 milliseconds at speeds ranging from 8 to 20 km/h—performance levels exceeding those of conventional starter motors.
PSA estimates that i-StARS can endure up to 600,000 restart cycles while delivering fuel savings up to 15%. To reduce wear caused by frequent restarts, improvements include enhanced lubrication for the turbocharger as well as reinforced components such as injection pumps, crankshaft bearings, and dual-mass flywheels.
Engines
| Specifications and engine lineup | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Production Years | Engine Code | Displacement (cc, cu in) |
Output | Torque | Acceleration 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) (seconds) |
Maximum Speed | Gearbox | Template:CO2 Emissions (g/km) |
| Gasoline engines | |||||||||
| 1.6 litre VTi 16v | 2006–present | EP6 | 1,598 (98) | 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) | 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) | 12.1 | 116 mph (187 km/h) | five-speed manual | 145 |
| 1.6 litre THP 16v | 2006–2013 | EP6DT | 140 bhp (100 kW; 140 PS) | 244 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft) | 11.5 | 119 mph (192 km/h) | four-speed automatic | 197 | |
| 150 bhp (110 kW; 150 PS) | 240 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft) | 10 | 127 mph (204 km/h) | six-speed automated manual (ETG6) | 173 | ||||
| 2013–2015 | EP6CDT | 155 bhp (116 kW; 157 PS) | 9 | 130 mph (210 km/h) | six-speed manual transmission | 139 | |||
| 2006–2013 | six-speed automated manual (EAT6) | 155 | |||||||
| 1.8 litre injection 16v | EW7A | 1,749 cubic centimetres (106.7 cu in) | 127 brake horsepower (95 kW; 129 PS) | 170 newton-metres (130 lbf⋅ft) | 11.9 | 115 miles per hour (185 km/h) | five-speed manual | 190 | |
| 2.0 litre injection 16v | EW10A | 1,997 cubic centimetres (121.9 cu in) | 143 brake horsepower (107 kW) | 199 newton-metres (147 lbf⋅ft) | 11.5 | [convert: invalid number] | six-speed automated manual (ETG6) | 190 | |
| 12 | [convert: invalid number] | four-speed automatic transmission | 211 | ||||||
| '\'1.2 litre PureTech | '\'2015– | '\'EB2DTS | '\'Template:Convert\ | '\'Template:Convert\ | '\'Template:Convert\ | '\'10.1 (10.8) | '\'Template:Convert\ | '\'six-speed manual | '\'115 |
| '\'1.6 litre THP | '\'EP6FDT | '\'Template:Convert\ | \163\|\bhp\|\kW PS\|\abbr=on\}\0} | \240\|\Nm\|\lbft\}\abbr=on} | '\'8.4 (8.7) | '\'Template:Convert\ | '\'six-speed automatic (EAT6) | '\'130' | |
| Diesel engines | |||||||||
| '\'1.6 litre HDi 8v | 2013–2015 | DV6 | 1,560 (95) | 90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) | 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) | 12.9 | [convert: invalid number] | five-speed manual | 109 |
| 1.6 litre HDi 16v | 2006–2013 | DV6TED4 | 110 bhp (82 kW; 110 PS) | 240 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft) | 12.5 | [convert: invalid number] | 140 | ||
| "13.2" | six-speed automated manual (ETG6) | 135 | |||||||
| 285 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft)" | 13.1 | six-speed manual transmission | 132 | ||||||
| "13.3" | [convert: invalid number] | six-speed automated manual (ETG6) | 132 | ||||||
| 2.0 litre HDi 16v" | DW10BTED4 | [convert: invalid number]" | [convert: invalid number]" | [convert: invalid number]" | 12.4 | [convert: invalid number]" | 153 | ||
| 12.1 | [convert: invalid number]" | 195 | |||||||
| "320 Nm" | 195 | ||||||||
| "150 bhp" | 300 Nm | 10.6 | 137 | ||||||
| "PSA EW/DW engine#DW10 DW10CTED4" | 160 bhp | 340 Nm | 10.7 | 177 | |||||
| "PSA EW/DW engine#DW10 DW10D" | 150 bhp | 10.2 | 121 mph | six-speed manual gearbox | 140 | ||||
| 1.6 litre e-HDi Airdream 8v|"rowspan ="3"|2013–2015|"rowspan ="4"|Ford DLD engine#DLD-416 DV6C|"rowspan ="4"|1560 cc|"90 bhp"|"230 Nm"|"13.7"|"109 mph"|"rowspan ="2"|six-speed automated manual (ETG6)"98 | |||||||||
| "270 Nm"|"12.3"|"117 mph"|104 | |||||||||
| "six-speed manual transmission"|105 | |||||||||
| "1.6 litre e-HDi Airdream 16v'"2006–2013""110 bhp""285 Nm""13.3""113 mph""six-speed automated manual (ETG6)"120 | |||||||||
| 1.6 litre BlueHDi"'2015–"'Ford DLD engine#DLD-416 DV6FC"'1560 cc"'99 bhp"'254 Nm"'12.7 (13.1)"'109 mph"'five-speed manual"'99 | |||||||||
| "118 bhp"'300 Nm"'11.3 (11.6)"'117 mph"'six-speed manual"'100 (105) | |||||||||
| "11.2 (11.5)"'117 mph"'six-speed automated manual (EAT6)"'100 (103) | |||||||||
| 2.0 litre BlueHDi"'2013-"'PSA EW/DW engine#DW10 DW10FC BlueHDI"'1997 cc"'148 bhp"'370 Nm"'9.7 (9.8)"'130 mph"'six-speed manual"'102 | |||||||||
| "10.1 (10.2)"'129 mph"'six-speed automated manual (EAT6)"'112 | |||||||||
Sales
| Year | Global Production | Global Sales | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 133,800 | 143,800 | |
| 2010 | 126,800 | 128,800 | |
| 2011 | Template:TBA | 116,927 | |
| 2012 | 80,600 | 82,900 | |
| 2013 | 104,700 | 99,900 | |
| 2014 | N/A | 124,100 |
The combined production of the first and second generations of the C4 Picasso (which includes the C4 SpaceTourer) amounts to 891,000 and 732,000 units respectively.