Citroen’s showstoppers
IT’S showtime at Citroen. The company is going nationwide with a dealership roadshow of the latest models and upgrades for the 2017 sales season.
Stars of the show are the new Space Tourer, a seven-seater people carrier and the Cactus Rip Curl which is a special edition of the Dispatch van. Also on display will be the upgraded C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso, while a new C3 supermini due here in January will also be highlighted in the roll-out which lasts until the end of next month.
The Picasso models, with prices starting at €26,695 (€28,995 for the seven-seater Grand Picasso), get a smarter front-end look and new rear lights and there are also interior upgrades.
The latest in-car technology comes with the addition of more connectivity in Infotainment and there are touches such as the hands-free tailgate operation. Also new here is a 130bhp PureTech engine.
The Space Tourer, which can accommodate up to nine people in great comfort, has a starting price of €38,300. It is aimed at the large family end of the market and there are three trim levels and will also be of interest to the hospitality market as a luxury shuttle transporter, due to the vast interior space. Sliding side doors make for easy access through the three rows of seats. The luxury theme continues with slide and recline seats in the second and third rows.
The driver gets a 7” display for connectivity with smart phone, entertainment and navigation which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink technology.
A colourful addition to the line-up is the special edition C4 Cactus Rip Curl which has graphics on the wings and quarter-lights, white roof rails and door mirrors, plus orange-fringed carpets.
On a more serious note is the addition of Grip Control PSA’s version of intelligent traction control for safer driving where the driver can select three different modes — snow mud and sand. To emphasise the safety aspect All Season Goodyear 17” snow and mud tyres are included. Driver aids include parking sensors, reversing camera automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control, navigation and panoramic sun roof. Toys for the boys (and girls) have a starting price of €23,990. There is a choice of Pure Tech 110bhp petrol engine and Blue HDi 100bhp diesel.
Also on display is the new Dispatch van with prices starting at €21,500, this has a payload of up to 1,400kg which is the first vehicle of its type to offer hands-free sliding doors. It also has head-up display speed limiter with road sign recognition which can automatically reduce your speed. Also available is a collision alert system.
The cabin can be used as a mobile office with the centre -arm rest converting into a pivoting table with adhesive strips to keep laptops in place.