Citroen C4 Picasso (2006): first official pictures

This is the sensible new Citroen C4 Picasso, light years away from today's egg-on-wheels original. It's sensible because it's been designed from the inside out, with huge emphasis on a spacious cabin, good visibility and huge practicality. Naturally it grows to accommodate seven seats to keep up with the Zafira et al. Expect prices to start around £15,000 when the Picasso arrives in early 2007.
What's it like in Club Class…?

Gone is the cramped cabin of old. The 4590mm-long Picasso is larger in every dimension, with more steel between the wheels and heaps more space inside. Naturally, there's plenty of room to stretch out up front and admire the view. And it's a big view. The screen arches back way beyond the driver's head, offering double the vertical visibility of a standard MPV, crows Citroen. All very nice but pointless unless you're trying to avoid a low flying aircraft. More significantly, thin pillars should minimise blindspots in the horizontal plane. A simple dashboard incorporates individual climate controls, a central sat nav and cubbies galore. You won't be hampered by any handbrake (it's electronic and button activated now) or transmission stalk. Citroen has relocated this to behind the steering wheel, with paddles to work your away through the robotised box's six speeds.