Citroen XSARA PICASSO Exclusive range
If The
Citroen's Xsara Picasso Is Reminiscent Of An Egg, The Plush Exclusive Version Is More Faberge Than Free Range. Andy Enright Reports
At the risk of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, perhaps naming a model you expect great things of an "Exclusive" isnt the wisest step, especially when its the flagship model of the UKs best selling
mini-MPV range. Nevertheless, Citroen are confident that the Exclusive version of the Xsara Picasso will remain exclusive in nature rather than number.
Until now, those looking for an upmarket version of the Picasso have had to make do with the SX trim level. This was one area where the Citroen appeared to be losing ground to its bitter French rival, the
Renault Scenic, whose upmarket Monaco models seemed to have no natural Citroen opposite number. Renaults profit projections for the Scenic may well look conspicuously less rosy with the introduction of the Xsara Picasso Exclusive models. Five versions are available, powered by the various petrol and diesel engines in the Picasso range - the 1.
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6, 1.8i 16v and automatic only 2.0-litre petrol engines or the 90bhp 2.0-litre HDi and 110bhp 1.
6-litre HDI diesel units. The Xsara Picasso has always campaigned on the basis of keen pricing; a policy that has made
Citroen the star performer of the last two years, and the Exclusive doesnt deviate from that strategy. Priced from £15,195 with petrol power or £16,195 for a diesel derivative, its positioned a clear £900 above the Desire versions but few will quibble in the face of the additional equipment list. Citroen sporadically offer cashback deals on the Picasso and if you include these, it may well be possible to land a 1.
8 Exclusive for less than £14,000. This pitches the price way below anything comparable from
Renault and lands the impressive Citroen in the shooting fish in a barrel territory populated by the likes of the
Mitsubishi Space Star and the lower end
Nissan Almera Tinos.
"Satellite navigation is another option available to Exclusive customers, ensuring that Lost In France will remain just another bad Bonnie Tyler song."
Still, that premium over the Desire has to be justified and heres how the Exclusives sums add up. Its likely that the fitment of 15"alloy wheels and automatic digital air conditioning would probably account for that sum from the Citroen options list, but in order to make the deal really compelling, theres a lot more than that crow barred in. Electric rear windows and an electric glass full-sized sunroof make an appearance, relieving the feeling of claustrophobia familiar to rear
seat passengers in many
mini-MPVs plus all three rear seats can slide independently solving at a stroke the all too familiar big brother/little sister elbow to head scenario. There are automatic headlamps, a rear window sunblind. While, electrically retractable door mirrors and a refrigerated glove box make the team sheet as do a black leather-trimmed steering wheel and illuminated courtesy mirrors.
Are we through? Not even close. The Exclusive has colour-keyed bumpers, side rubbing strips, door mirrors and door handles whilst the interior also looks significantly more, well, exclusive with a dark bronze metallic band running the width of the dashboard. This bronze theme extends to the centre console fascia, dashboard air vents and interior door handles. Think Charles Aznavours forehead circa 1974 and you wont be too far off on the colour chart.
Beige velour upholstery is fitted as standard, but those who really want to give their Exclusive the luxury touch can fork out an additional £1,250 and, for the first time in a Picasso, trim it in leather. Satellite navigation is another option available to Exclusive customers, ensuring that "Lost In France" will forever remain just another bad Bonnie Tyler song. In addition, all Xsara Picassos now feature front and rear reading lights as well as lumbar adjustment on the drivers seat to take the pain out of crushing continents. The Picasso has always been a supremely pragmatic vehicle. As well as sliding, the rear seats fold, collapse forward or can be removed completely (as long as you can find somewhere to leave them).
Collapse the centre seat and you create a multi-function work or play area that includes a clipboard-style paper holder. There are rear picnic tables, under-floor storage compartments, a drawer under the front passenger seat, a huge glovebox and clever door pockets moulded to take cans, cups or even huge 1.5-litre bottles. What you'll really remember from your first showroom visit however is that 'modubox' trolley which normally sits flat-packed, attached to the boot wall. When required, you simply unclip it, extract the telescopic handle and wheels and wheel it off with as much as 18kg inside. The whole thing feels a little flimsy but that aside, you have to hand it to the design team for lateral thought. The Citroen Xsara Picasso looked to be nothing but a quirky aside when it was first launched.
Surely this strangely styled mini-MPV would go the way of the
Fiat Multipla, garnering critical acclaim but precious few sales? Citroens marketing power swayed the floating voters and made the Picasso a huge success. With the Exclusive, Citroen aim to show that what they can do at the budget end of the mini-MPV spectrum they can replicate at more rarefied altitudes of perceived quality. Take a look at the Xsara Picasso Exclusive, check the price lists, do the mental arithmetic and youll concur that they may just have pulled it off again.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Citroen Xsara Picasso Exclusive range
PRICES: £15,195 -£17,295 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 7-8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 147-205g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8 16v] Max Speed 118mph / 0-60mph 10.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 HDi] [urban] 40.4mpg / [extra urban] 61.4mpg / [combined] 51.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4276/1970/1637mm
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