XSARA PICASSO LEADS CITROËN'S INNOVATIVE AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SYDNEY MOTOR SHOW DISPLAY

The Citroën Xsara Picasso, the benchmark for the fastest growing car sector in the European car market, is the centre piece of the Citroën display at the 1999 Sydney International Motor Show (15 - 24 October 1999) displaying the same unique technology and forward thinking as the Xsara Berlingo and Xantia that share Citroën's motor show stand.

"The Citroën Xsara, Xsara Picasso, Berlingo and Xantia clearly demonstrate Citroën's unique approach to car design," explains Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia. "Citroën don't believe that just because every car maker does something a particular way, this is the best solution or approach. This is why the Citroën Xantia offers hydraulic and Hydractive 2 suspension, the Berlingo combines real versatility and purpose-directed design and the Xsara provides a driving experience that combines exemplary comfort, sports handling and road holding. With the Citroën Xsara Picasso, Citroën clearly demonstrates that five adults and their luggage can travel in comfort in a car that takes up no more road space than a small hatchback."

The Citroën Xsara Picasso

Unveiled at the 1998 Paris Motor Show in prototype form and on display in Sydney in its first production version, the Citroën Xsara Picasso owes its exterior and interior styling to the Citroën Creative Styling Centre.

Reflecting new concepts in style, ergonomics and practicality the Xsara Picasso is spacious, user-friendly and versatile.

A single-box vehicle with the continuous line of the windscreen and bonnet, the Xsara Picasso is a hatchback at the rear with its raked rear window. The morphology of the vehicle is a first in the world of automotive design. The dimensions of the Xsara Picasso place it squarely in the family of compact vehicles, but the interior is exceptionally user-friendly and spacious as a result of the vehicle's astonishing proportions. Its overall length (4.27 metres) places it between the Citroën Xsara and the Citroën Xantia, while its height (1.63 m) places it between the Xantia and the

Citroën Evasion people mover. The width is 1.75 m. With its interior space and generous wheelbase of 2.76 m, the Xsara Picasso offers five adult seats (the three at the rear being of identical size) and a vast boot of 515 litres, a load capacity equivalent to that of a wagon in the class above.

The range is based on a single level of trim and three powerplants: two petrol (1.6i and 1.8i 16V) developing 65 kW and 85 kW respectively, and one 2.0 Turbo Diesel HDi developing 66 kW.

The name Xsara Picasso, surprises and catches the imagination. One of the greatest artists of this century, Citroën Xsara Picasso broke with accepted conventions to share his personal vision of the world. It was therefore natural for an original and inventive marque such as Citroën, a marque with a worldwide reputation as an innovator, renowned for its ability to design cars with a difference, to associate the name of Xsara Picasso with the first Citroën car of the third millennium.

Responding to customer requirements, the Citroën Xsara Picasso combines the versatile and modular practicality of an all-purpose vehicle with the looks, safety, robust design and driving pleasure of a saloon. The Xsara Picasso combines the qualities of several automotive families. It can be compared to a saloon, a wagon, a people-carrier and even a cabriolet when it is equipped with a large sunroof extending back over the second row of seats.

The vehicle is designed to offer a living area in which the well-being of all occupants is taken into account. The spacious and modular interior, the three rear seats, the flat floor forming a walkway and the generous stowage space illustrate Citroën's determination to make life onboard a pleasurable experience. The height of the driving position - mid-way between a saloon and a people-carrier - is a major improvement. The vehicle is designed to make everyday tasks easy. Moreover, the Xsara Picasso is equipped with a wealth of features to make sure that children travel in comfort and safety.

The vehicle is designed to combine driving pleasure and comfort with a high level of safety. The multiplexed electrical architecture offers a number of new functions including smart front and rear windscreen wipers and automatic locking. It also rationalises the electrical equipment for increased reliability and simplifies repairability through improved diagnostics.

The Xsara Picasso offers a generous level of equipment for the safety and comfort of vehicle occupants. In terms of safety, it is equipped as standard with twin front airbags (the passenger airbag can be deactivated) and twin side airbags to protect the head and chest, front seatbelts with force limiters and pyrotechnic pretensioners, ABS, a transponder, and wide-field rearview mirrors.

In terms of comfort, the Xsara Picasso is equipped with variable power steering, electric front windows with one-touch control and an anti-nipping device on the driver's side, two electric, defrosting rearview mirrors, central locking with HF control, an onboard computer and height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel.

To meet customer requirements, the Citroën Xsara Picasso provides generous stowage space and focuses on a host of "minor" details that simplify everyday use: an indicator on the instrument cluster to show whether the child safety lock has been activated; warning signals to indicate a risk of black ice or inform the driver that the key has been left in the ignition, the doors are open or that he is over the speed limit; doors designed to open in three positions, an indicator showing the distance to be covered before the next scheduled maintenance operation, automatic locking if the driver forgets, a driver's footrest and a car radio with automatic volume adjustment and fingertip controls.

The Xsara Picasso was developed within the framework laid down by Citroën's Product Development Charter. The project took 151 weeks and involved an investment of FF 1.9 billion of which FF 1 billion in development costs (design, quality, tests, prototypes, process engineering).

The Xsara Picasso is scheduled to arrive on the market at the end of 1999 in Europe and in Australia at the end of 2000. It will be assembled at the Vigo plant in Spain.

The Citroën Berlingo

The all-new Citroën Berlingo combines the best features from traditional one-box vans and car-derived vans, plus a dash of Citroën technology and style to produce a uniquely versatile commercial vehicle that is an asset in every way to the companies it serves.

From the traditional one-box van Berlingo has the advantages of a large, square and easily loaded 'cube' of three cubic metres. This is combined with all the features of a vehicle designed as, and not converted to, commercial vehicle use, from the unique versatile passenger seat/desk to wide opening rear doors and a long, low load floor.

The Berlingo's heritage from a car-derived van adds to the mix a driving experience that is better than the 'car-like' claim of its competitors. The drivetrain and suspension from the acclaimed Citroën Xsara, give superb ride, roadholding and handling, as well as a spacious and well appointed driver's compartment.

Unlike most car-derived vans, though, which look like a car with a crudely added box grafted onto the rear half of the vehicle, the Berlingo's styling is fully integrated. Its stylish nose and smooth lines lead to its accommodating rear doors. As well as ensuring that it is versatile and easy to load and good looking, the smooth sides make signwriting easy and economical.

Citroën's sophisticated drivetrain means more than just fine on-road performance, it delivers a payload - at 800 kg - that is as impressive as the three cubic metre load volume.

The Australian version of the Berlingo has power steering as standard and is powered by a 1.4 litre petrol engine that has been tailored to commercial vehicle needs, with plenty of low down toque for pulling loads whilst at the same time providing economical, low emission performance.

With Citroën's global safety system built into the Berlingo, there is clear recognition that van users should have at least the same, if not better, road safety protection compared to normal cars because of the long hours they spend behind the wheel in the busiest road conditions.

With local fitment, the Berlingo can be made even more versatile when the loading area of the utility version is replaced by an aftermarket fold-down bench with headrests and rear windows. The high, wide doors and the sliding seats make the back of the vehicle easily accessible. In the five-seat version the boot, at 0.6 cubic metres, remains remarkably spacious, given the external dimensions.

Standard equipment for the Australian specification Berlingo includes power steering, height adjustable steering wheel, rear barn doors, digital radio cassette, multi-function front passenger seat with integrated desk and a pollen filter. Factory fitted options include central locking, electric windows and a rear roof hatch above the rear doors that allow long objects to be safely carried.

The Berlingo is equipped with a clever and innovative multi-function passenger seat. In just a few seconds, the comfortable seat with its adjustable headrest becomes a functional work surface. A thick, generously dimensioned table appears when the seat back is fold down onto the seat. The table is fitted with a strap to hold documents in place, a pencil case and two recesses for holding beakers.

The seat can be tipped over completely to reveal a vast 100 cm³ chest, to protect contents from prying eyes. In this position, the seat makes an additional loading space available, for storing objects of up to 2.10 m in length across a width of 500 mm.

Citroën's first commercial vehicle was launched in 1919, creating the whole concept of a light van. The Type H introduced the idea of a forward control van in 1948, with its innovations of all-steel monococque construction, low load floor - made possible by front wheel drive - and side sliding doors.

The 2CV Van was arguably the first car-derived van and today the Berlingo is one of a range of Citroën commercial vehicles with payloads from 0.5 tonne to eight tonnes. In the year it was launched, the Berlingo was elected as the International Van of the Year and it has gone on to collect awards around the world for its skillful mix of abilities.

The Citroën Xsara

With its elegant styling, robust design and spacious layout, the Xsara possesses strength of character rarely seen in saloons from the small car segment. With its superb ride quality and benchmark levels of handling and ride quality, it further extends the Citroën reputation for producing cars that stand out in their classes as being both decisively better and different. The Australian 5-door range is based on the SX trim level and three powerplants: 1.8i (74 kW), 1.8L 16V (84 kW) and 2.0L 16V (97.4 kW).

The name Xsara immediately captures attention. Easy to remember, it sounds both sophisticated and alluring, conjuring up images of exotic, faraway places. Moreover, it carries an "X", symbolising technological know-how and membership of the Citroën family. The Xsara is a perfect fit with the range of Citroën saloons.

The Citroën Xsara measures 4.17m and fits into the range between the smallest Citroen, the Saxo (3.72m long) and the Xantia (4.44m). It is one of the most spacious cars in the segment with the longest useful length and a 408 litre vast boot. Designed to compete in the small car segment, the Citroën Xsara offers a range of equipment worthy of saloons at the top end of the market. Highly functional, and boasting an attention to detail rarely seen on this type of vehicle, it sets new standards in sophistication.

The criteria of creativity and an eye for detail guided the design choices made for the Xsara in terms of interior and exterior styling, running gear and powerplants. Equipped with Citroën's self-steering rear axle, the new car adopts the marque's traditional values in terms of comfort and roadholding. The Xsara is designed to bring the driver and passengers enhanced driving pleasure and comfort, combined with an exceptional level of safety.

The Xsara offers a level of equipment rarely seen in this segment. The following are standard on all models: power steering, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, theft-protection by a code integrated in the ignition key (transponder), remote central locking, height adjustable interior rearview mirror, automatic climate control, air conditioning, pollen and particle filter and all seatbelts fitted with inertia reels and height adjustable at sash-guide level.

The Citroën Xsara seeks to meet customer requirements with generous stowage space and all the "little" extras that simplify everyday use, such as: tell-tale child locks on the rear doors, an alarm warning that the key is in the ignition, doors opening at three angles, a function to isolate the boot and glovebox, an indicator showing the distance to be covered to the next service operation, HF dual-function remote control, a boot and bonnet opening gas strut, phased on/off control of ceiling lights, storage of the rear parcel shelf in the boot and a driver's footrest.

The Citroën Xantia

The Citroen Xantia is another in a long line of Citroën's that have striven against the norm to produce cars that use the latest technology to set new standards in all areas. With its unique suspension, the Xantia offers unparalleled levels of ride quality, handling and road holding, as well as features such as automatic ride self leveling and even the ability to lift itself up to cross rough roads or wade through minor floods.

This does not, however, come at a price penalty. The Citroën is more than competitive, it represents in all areas excellent value for money and it offers a long and durable life.

Launched in March 1998 the new Citroën Xantia range of sedans and wagons have been optimised in terms of safety, comfort and practicality while offering new levels of equipment. This new longer, restyled Citroën Xantia, 4.52m for the saloon and 4.7m for the estate, an increase of eight and five cm respectively, emphasises a personality of elegance and refinement. At the same time imposing and more flowing lines, its character is emphasised by the larger grille chevrons, merging into a new triple-fluted bonnet. The bumpers, lights and wheel trim have been redesigned to highlight the prestigious aesthetics of this saloon. The whole Xantia range now carries wider front wings and track, on 15-inch wheels, previously only available on the more powerful models. The interior has changed radically, offering more comfort, with a new, thicker, rounded dashboard, new door panels, with generous and cleverly located storage spaces.

The innovative design of this car, notably with its hydraulic and Hydractive 2 suspension and the passive steering rear axle, is the commitment to an excellent combination of roadholding and comfort. In terms of global safety, there are many additional features: energy absorbing padding in the doors, in addition to side impact bars, new dual front airbags. There are load limiters on the front seat belts linked to the front airbags and ABS is now standard on the Xantia.

The whole of the Xantia range is enhanced by its comfortable, practical and reassuring features, the new steering wheel with airbag incorporating the horn control, a transponder controlled electronic anti-theft system, one-touch driver's side window with anti-pinch system and electrically operated exterior mirrors.

The new logic of the range is built around choice and personalisation based on 3 models: SX, Exclusive and Exclusive Ergo. The SX model is a classical highly equipped configuration with ABS and driver's airbag standard. The SX Xantia utilises hydropneumatic suspension, passive rear wheel steer, power windows, exterior mirrors and rain sensor front wipers.

The Exclusive model is highly personalised and will satisfy those seeking luxury and refinement. These models share colour matched body accessories and "high tech" look fog lamps and an electrically adjustable driver's seat. The Exclusive model offers "chic" with its Hydractive 2 suspension and its luxury equipment level (Pessoa velour), wood trim, climate control and the steering wheel mounted audio controls.

For further information please
e-Mail Miles Williams - General Manager on
100250.3324@compuserve.com

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