Citroën South Africa has increased its Picasso range in South Africa with the introduction of a 2,0i 16V automatic variant.
Citroën South Africa has increased its Picasso range in South Africa with the introduction of a 2,0i 16V automatic variant.
The French manufacturer already sells the 2,0 HDi diesel, 1,6 and 1,8 petrol models. The 2,0i 16V indirect-injection petrol engine, with a capacity of 1 997 cm3, develops maximum power of 100 kW at 5 600 r/min and maximum torque of 196 N.m at 4 100 r/min. It is coupled to an autoactive automatic gearbox with sequential gear change control.
The gearbox is designed to accept torque levels of up to 250 N.m and features a manual or sequential mode for the driver. In this mode, automatic gear change is disabled and the driver can change at will between first and fourth gear.
“This transmission combines the advantages of an automatic gearbox with those of a manual gearbox, since the driver can switch from one to the other,” said Derek Bromfield, CEO of Citroën SA. “In manual mode, the driver switches gears by pushing the gear lever forwards or backwards. In this way, he/she can adopt a sportier or more dynamic style of driving.”
Passive safety features include rear wheel steering, side impact protection bars, a reinforced “ring-of-steel” around the occupant cell and heated side mirrors. It also has ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), four airbags (the front two are “dual-stage”) and force limiting seatbelts with pyro pretensioners.
The ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), which is standard on the 2,0i 16V Automatic, works with the EBA to provide further back-up for safe driving. This twin function is accompanied by traction control, disc brakes at the rear and hazard lights that come on automatically in the event of sudden deceleration.
The 2,0i 16V Automatic also features a cruise control function as standard.
In terms of comfort, it is equipped with variable power steering, electric front windows with one-touch control, digital climate control, two electric defrosting side mirrors, central locking, an onboard computer and height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel.
The Picasso has a handy foldaway trolley, the Modubox, as standard. It is fitted with wheels and will help with shopping and transporting of goods. Unfolded, it is capable of carrying 18 kg.
The Xsara Picasso 2,0 Automatic sells for R204,995 and is covered by a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty, a three-year paint warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. A comprehensive, one-year roadside assistance program is standard.
