Australian Car Advice | News Blog

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Citroën has taken the first step and will now offer both the 2.0 litre petrol automatic and 2.0 litre HDi automatic variants of its C4 Picasso people mover for the same price until June.

With both models now carrying a price tag of just $39,990, this represents a saving of $4,000 for the diesel model.

“People movers are, for obvious reasons, predominantly bought by families and it is families who are usually the first to feel the affects of a tightening economy,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia.

According to VFACTS, private Passenger Car diesel sales rose by 50.6 percent, non-private by 64 percent and SUV diesels by 48.5 percent while petrol powered private car sales dropped by 5.0 percent.

“This means that if a car buyer wants to maintain the space and size of a larger vehicle without fuel bills going through the roof or buy a small car, such as the Citroën C3 HDi with supremely good fuel consumption, there is only one way to go and that is to move diesel. Added to this is the fact that modern diesels, with their wealth of torque for pulling power, are the ideal power units for cars like the C4 Picasso.” says Miles Williams.

Based on the award winning Citroën C4, the new C4 Picasso is only slightly larger than the typical hatchback, and with its diesel engine returns a remarkable 5.9 litres/100 km with emissions further enhanced by a standard particulate filter.

The C4 Picasso also has the highest rating for safety, the Euro-NCAP five star rating.

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The lounge package adds climate control, a fixed glass roof with sun blind, chrome exterior trim pack, alloy wheels, front fog lights, the Blue&Me voice-activated Bluetooth communications package with steering wheel mounted controls and ESC, as well as a host of other appointments.

Meanwhile, The Citroen C4 Picasso has picked up the Diesel People Mover of the Year award, as well as the company receiving the title of Green Car Maker of the Year.

This is the second year in a row that the Picasso has picked up the same award.

Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia, said, “To win an award for diesel achievement from a UK magazine is of particular achievement and relevance because to win both a car and a car maker must have beaten the full selection of cars and companies available in the market place. Thus the Citroën’s green credentials are, once again, shown to be unbeatable.”

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Citroen says the new C5 will give the German cars which dominate the segment a wake-up call by mending French design with an vast array of technologies and a strong personality.

Now meet the C5 break, the Estate car.

We actually think it looks quite good. Looking forward to driving in Australia.

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The car should be available in Europe later this year.

Citroen have given the Berlingo the AIRDREAM signature, which, according to the French manufacturer means the Berlingo is one of the most environmentally-friendly vehicles in the range.

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The C4 HDi 2.0 automatic. runs from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds - respectable enough - but still gives you a fuel consumption average of just 5.1-litres/100km.

On top of the standard features of the C4 HDi, the 2.0-litre receives:

· Alloy wheels
· Body coloured door handles and mirrors
· Rear lip wing
· Leather Steering Wheel
· 5 stack CD changer in the front armrest
· Automatic light sensing interior rearview mirror
· Velour upholstery
· Dual Zone Climate Control Air Conditioning
· Rear seat centre armrest with hidden locker
· Automatic headlights
· Door sill and footwell lights
· Chrome interior trim features

Leather is an option, as well as parking sensors, electric seats, and seat heaters.

 “The arrival of this new variant of the Citroën C4 range is a clear illustration of how the diesel car market in Australia is maturing,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia.

The new Citroën C4 HDi 2.0 six speed automatic has a recommended retail price of $35,990, plus on road costs.

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Fully restored to working condition by the museum’s experts, Westwood’s Citroën 5CV is in a special display in the Museum’s main hall.

Westwood, a 22-year-old Seventh Day Adventist missionary, bought the car secondhand in Perth. It had already traveled 48,000 kilometres in and around Perth up to that point. Westwood left Perth in the Citroen on 4 August 1925, and with passenger Greg Davies, set off to the Eastern states. No easy feat, even today, the car suffered punctured tyres which were filled with grass and cowhide. The car was carried across the Fitzroy River by local Aboriginal people.

Davies quit the car at Albury on the New South Wales and Victoria border. Westwood went on to Melbourne and Adelaide. He returned to Perth, escorted by a welcoming convoy of motorists on 30 December 1925. At the journey’s end Neville put the Citroen into storage while he continued travelling on church business.

The car was then sold, but bought back, and then passed onto his son Ron, in 1969 when Neville died. Ron initiated restoration work by collecting spare parts, after which he commissioned work by a West Australian firm. The car’s chassis and body were largely retained, with some repair to the rear panels, doors and bonnet.

The engine block was discarded and the engine were rebuilt, with some original parts re-used and the original radiator maintained. In 2000, the car underwent a second modest reconditioning.

The National Museum acquired the Citroen from Ron Westwood in 2005. Museum conservators have worked to retain its form and function, including the 1975 restoration work which is now part of its history.

The Citroen’s chassis and body work suffered extensive chloride corrosion after 1975, requiring treatment and partial restoration. Over a year, the National Museum’s conservators and expert contractors completely disassembled all components of the body, chassis, engine and transmission, and chemically stabilised the chassis and body. The engine and transmission were also meticulously treated and reconditioned to functional condition.

The 5CV of Neville Westwood remains in the main hall, until the 3rd of February.

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Set to arrive in Australia in May this year, Berlingo will be joined by the smaller Turkish-built Nemo and will be followed later this year by the Dispatch van (think Hiace /Hyundai  iLoad size).

Berlingo will be available as either a dedicated commercial van or a multi-use people mover (with removable rear seats) in Europe though at this stage Ateco has no places for the MPV here preferring a “wait and see” approach. Pricing as yet is not confirmed.

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To cash in on the enviro-friendly move away from 4WDs, Citroen has launched its new people-mover, the C4 Picasso. It’s been deliberately styled to distance itself from the traditional box-style seven-seater and, in the metal at least, it’s a looker. Certain elements of the C4 hatch have been carried through, to give it a clear family link.

The chromed double chevron grille sits in line with the rest of the Citroen range, and its side profile is inoffensive, even stylish. Fibre-optic brake lights are a highlight, as are the integrated vertical lip-spoilers in the brake light assembly, which give extra directional stability. On the launch drive this was put to good use at speed, where cross-winds presented no challenge.

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