Press Release
Page 1: Overview
Page 2: Exterior
Page 3: Interior
Page 4: Features
Page 5: Equipment
Page 6: Driving Pleasure
Page 7: Safety
Original features for the comfort of all vehicle passengers
Vehicle comfort depends on a complex mix of attributes. The C4 Picasso caters for the well-being of all the occupants by giving great attention to each one. Particular thought was given to suspension comfort and to the interior ambience, in terms of noise, temperature, odour and touch.
Class-beating suspension comfort
Suspension quality ??????????????????????????????????????? a constant priority for Citro??????????????????n ??????????????????????????????????????? is outstanding on all versions of the C4 Picasso. Depending on the level of trim, this metal suspension can be associated with a pneumatic suspension at the rear.
Rear pneumatic suspension: a first in this segment
Benefits
Depending on the level of trim, the rear axle can be fitted with a pneumatic suspension system delivering a number of additional benefits:
- It enhances passenger comfort, by making the suspension smoother and damping the force applied to the vehicle over irregular road surfaces.
- It also maintains a stable vehicle attitude, irrespective of the load. Comfort, driving pleasure and, in consequence, safety are thus maintained, regardless of load.
- Rear pneumatic suspension also makes it possible to lower or raise the boot sill, when the car is stationary, making it easier to load heavy or large objects. The driver simply presses a button in the boot, keeping it pressed down for the required time. The system emits a sound signal while the sill is being raised/lowered. In this way, the height of the boot can vary by between 50 and 64 cm with respect to the ground. Once objects have been loaded, the sill can be returned to its original position in two ways: automatically, when the car starts and is moving at a speed of over 10 kph, or manually, by pressing the button twice. The boot also includes a button to disable the function. This will block the suspension when a wheel is being changed, for example.
Operation
The pneumatic suspension system comprises:
- an ECU,
- an "air-supply" unit with a compressor and three solenoid valves,
- two height sensors,
- two pneumatic cushions.
The height sensors measure the distance with respect to the stop. If they detect a change in distance, i.e. a change in vehicle height, they report it to the ECU. The ECU then orders the compressor to correct the deviation and return the vehicle to the right height.
If the vehicle is too low, the solenoid valves that control the air flow will open and send air to the pneumatic cushions. The cushions then expand to return the vehicle to the correct height, re-establishing the correct distance with respect to the stop.
The system can also let air out in order to cope with a lightening in the load. The information is conveyed in the same way, but the solenoid valve draws air out of the pneumatic cushions instead of pumping it in.
The height sensors function independently to measure what is happening on both sides of the vehicle. The solenoid valves are managed independently, enabling a finely tuned adjustment of vehicle height on both sides.
For safety reasons, the automatic height correction function is disabled when a door is open.
Excellent thermal comfort
A new air conditioning system has been developed for the C4 Picasso, taking into account the specific characteristics of this vehicle (large interior volume and extensive glass area).
Four-zone automatic air conditioning
The C4 Picasso can be equipped with automatic four-zone air conditioning with individual air-flow controls placed mid-height on the left and right pillars in row two.
Cabin ventilation with the engine off ("rest" function)
The "rest" function on the C4 Picasso keeps the ventilation running with the engine off during short stops (up to eight minutes, depending on the battery charge). This function, associated with the automatic air conditioning, is activated using a button on the driver's air conditioning control panel. It is available when the engine is switched on and off (for 30 seconds after cut-out).
An additional air conditioning unit
The C4 Picasso is also the only compact MPV to feature an additional air conditioning unit (depending on the market), sending air to the second and third rows and also to the boot. With this system, passengers in row 2 can also adjust the temperature, using a special control panel with a screen. The ducts then send air to row 3, which is fitted with air vents, and to the boot.
A new additional heating system
Depending on the market, the C4 Picasso can also be fitted with an additional heating system, to cope with the cold. On diesel versions, this system also recovers exhaust heat. This additional heating increases the cabin temperature more quickly and speeds up defrosting when the weather is particularly cold. Designed to respect the environment, this innovative system recovers the heat released by the exhaust using a water circuit wrapped around the exhaust system.
Top-level acoustic comfort
Right from the start of vehicle design, particular emphasis was placed on providing outstanding acoustic and vibration control on board the C4 Picasso.
The structure is designed to minimise panel resonance, this being the main source of cabin boom. Each panel is stamped in such a way as to limit deformation. Some panels also undergo damping treatment, particularly for box sections. At the same time, the laminated windscreen undergoes acoustic treatment as standard.
Innovative use of structural inserts
The innovative use of structural inserts (composite assemblies made of polyamide and structural foam) in the main nodes of the vehicle body prevent the deformation of box sections and thus improve vibration control by reinforcing body stiffness.
New hydraulic mounts on the rear axle bushes
New front hydraulic mounts on the rear axle bushes limit road noise and impact noise when driving over obstacles.
The engine compartment also gains particularly effective sound-proofing particularly for the dash cowl.
Laminated side windows: a feature new to this segment
Alongside the acoustic windscreen, fitted as standard, the C4 Picasso is also available with laminated, acoustic side windows (optional), a feature new to this segment. Laminated windows contribute to filtering out wind noise and exterior noise to provide high-level acoustic comfort.
Wind noise is also minimised by the flowing design lines of the vehicle body, combined with the double-seal barrier on the doors and the acoustic windscreen.
Air quality and pleasant scents
Particular emphasis was also placed on odour-exclusion comfort, in order to maintain air quality in the cabin and create a pleasant fragrance.
Air quality sensor
A pollutant sensor located upstream of the cabin air intake monitors the quality of the air outside the car. If necessary, it closes the air intake flap and automatically activates the air recycling function. This system, fitted as standard depending on the level of trim, detects high levels of pollution outside the vehicle and prevents pollutants from entering the cabin.
The scented air freshener
As on the C4, the C4 Picasso features a scented air freshener, fitted as standard depending on the level of trim. Styled to match the interior, the system diffuses a pleasant, subtle fragrance in the cabin through two central air vents. It is controlled by a knob, allowing the driver to adjust the intensity of the fragrance or to switch the system off.
A wide choice of fragrances allow all users to find a scent to suit. Two new fragrances have been developed specially for the C4 Picasso: Island Mango and an anti-tobacco fragrance with an active ingredient to trap odours.
Efficient and original protection from the sun
New sunblinds
As the roof cross-member has been moved back behind the heads of the front passengers, Citro??????????????????n had to redesign the sunblind system. To do this, it took its inspiration from the aerospace industry and high-speed trains.
The two sliding driver and passenger sunblinds are completely independent. Each one comprises a blind with a sun visor at the end. Each user can choose the position of his/her sunblind. Wrapped around the roof cross-member, the blinds slide manually along a central rail (separate from the windscreen) and a side rail (fully integrated with the roof). The blinds can be adjusted to a multitude of positions, since they can be stopped at any point on the rails.
The two blinds are completely opaque in order to block out the light. Protection is as efficient as with a steel roof. When the blinds are fully open, the windscreen size and visibility are equivalent to those of a conventional MPV.
A conventional sun visor is installed on the end of each blind, to complete the protection system. Of large dimensions, the visor can be folded in the usual way (towards the front and to the side). It is equipped with a courtesy mirror and card-holder.
Depending on the level of trim, the windscreen is heat-reflecting to improve heat insulation and provide greater protection against solar radiation.
A one-touch electric shutter blind
The C4 Picasso is also the only compact MPV to offer a one-touch electric shutter blind associated with the panoramic sunroof. This shutter blind provides a level of heat insulation close to that of a conventional roof. The electric controls at the front make for easy manoeuvring. Nine positions are available at the touch of a button, along with an anti-pinch function. When the car is parked in the sun, the driver keeps a finger on the remote control button to automatically close the blind when the car is locked.
Tinted windows and sunblinds at the rear
Along with the standard tinted rear window, the second row windows and quarter-lights can also be tinted. Unlike conventional tinting, this system of window tinting reduces the temperature at the rear of the vehicle and provides protection against glare. With or without the tinting, these windows can also be fitted with retractable sunblinds ??????????????????????????????????????? standard or optional depending on the level of trim and market. The rollers are integrated with the window surrounds in the second row, with the panel mouldings in the third row, and with the lining of the tailgate. These curtains filter out the light while providing a clear view of the outside. They significantly improve the comfort of rear passengers while protecting them from the sun.
Hi-fi pack and video pack
For an even more enjoyable journey, an optional hi-fi pack and video pack are also available.
Hi-fi pack
The C4 Picasso is the only compact MPV to offer a complete hi-fi system. Developed in association with Philips, this hi-fi system provides high-level acoustic performance. The acoustic tuning was specially designed and configured for the cabin of the C4 Picasso.
The hi-fi pack comprises eight specially designed loudspeakers placed around the cabin, a powerful digital amplifier and a subwoofer. It is also able to read MP3-format CDs.
Video pack
The video pack comprises two independent video screens and a DVD drive with a double connection plate located in a specially designed console. The rake-adjustable screens at the top of the first-row backrests retract behind the aircraft-style trays. They are thus completely invisible from outside the car, and protected when not in use. The two connection plates each comprise three inputs (two audio inputs and one video) allowing auxiliary systems to be connected (games consoles, digital camcorders, etc.). Two wireless headsets with a channel switch function let the user change from one screen to the other.
