Citroen Unveils C3 Picasso Mini-Minivan


Citroen has unveiled its new C3 Picasso, which is Citroen-code for mini-minivan version of their regular B-segment car, the Citroen C3. What is a mini-minivan version? The not-all-that-secret secret is that before Scion gave us the xB and other high-roofed five-passenger vehicles, the Europeans were all over that business. They call 'em MPVs (Multi-Passenger Vehicles, en anglais) on that side of the pond. The term can describe anything from an eight-passenger Chrysler Grand Voyager to a top hat-friendly version of a B-segment car (Fit, Yaris, MINI). The C3 Picasso fits into that last category, where it will compete with the likes of the Opel Meriva, Renault Modus, and Honda Jazz. Citroen is saying it'll install 90 and 110hp diesels, as well as gas engines good for 95 and 120hp. All will tote around what is pretty much guaranteed to be an extremely flexible interior of folding, flopping seats. Let's just hope that sinking European sales don't make this the Picasso's blue period.
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In the photo, I fully expect a child's hand to grab that car and push it back and forth on that shag carpet (saying "vroom-vroom!" in French). I like it, too, though it doesn't seem to have much shoulder room.
It's a funky small wagon - cool! Given the window in between the two skinny A-pillars, I wouldn't be surprised if visibility was actually pretty good. At least it'd be available in something other than: silver, light silver, dark silver, almost black, black, and white. Lime green may not be my favorite, but is anybody else getting sick of the lack of colors available on new cars?
@netrun Given the window in between the two skinny A-pillars, I wouldn’t be surprised if visibility was actually pretty good. In the larger C4 Picasso, the twin A-pliiars are incredibly skinny and give great visibility. Should be more of the same here.
I've always thought MPV stands for Multi Purpose Vehicle. Anyway, it looks pretty nice based on the one picture that seem to work here at work.