Low-slung, elegant C6 and smart, quirky Grand C4 Picasso marks Citroen’s rediscovery of their roots

The 1990s were dark days for Citroen design, their cars were simple hatchbacks that really sold well but boy were they boring, even their flagship XM was odd looking. I mean Citroens have always looked different but the XM was just weird without being charming.

The C6, which hit European markets late last year marked the return of grand Citroen sedans that are sleek, revolutionary and intelligent.

Brooklands Motors, the official importer of Citroen finally brought in this fantastic executive transport last week after nearly one year of waiting and together with the flagship model came the Grand C4 Picasso mid-size MPV.

The new design language of Citroen consists of large calm surfaces and flowing lines that come together to to create a shape that is slim, elegant and unique, there is quite nothing like it. At least on the C6, the result is a car that is slim, elegant and unique while the Grand C4 Picasso is a bit more, shall we say, full-bodied.

While the exterior is ultra chic and very progressive, the dashboard is a lot more sober and down to earth but looks can be deceiving.

The main instrument cluster is a slim window ahead of the steering column and it displays most of the vital statistics but take a closer look at the dashboard top and you will see an opening for the head-up display projector.

The C6 competes in the luxury executive car segment, otherwise populated by popular German models such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series and Audi A6 and also the Jaguar XF.

This is a tough weight class and everyone has brought their best toys to entice buyers so the Citroen is offering their oleopneumatic suspension and the head up display as technology hooks.

The C6 carries a hefty price tag of RM398,000 and for that money you can get three-litre machines from Mercedes-Benz and BMW so the Citroen comes to fight packing a 3.0-litre V6 engine under the slimline bonnet and this is the only engine available for the Malaysian market for now.

For your money you get the style and bragging rights that the C6 is the French presidential car and is also the car of the current European Union presidency.

Citroen has not yet made the move to eliminate buttons from their centre console by concentrating functions into a central knob as BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes have done. Some may not like the sight of so many small buttons but they do make operating the car’s entertainment system and climate control a lot simpler.

One careful inspection and you can use most of the functions without referring to a thick owner’s manual.

The C6 on display at the launch was kitted out in a wonderful deep tan, almost peach-coloured leather which gives the cabin a wonderfully welcoming ambience.

Citroen generously padded the moulded armrest to make them very comfortable but the real design attraction of the cabin is the semi-circular convex door storage bin that is finished in a veneer of exotic wood.

Push down the chrome handle to reveal the storage bin and push it again for the wood panel to slide up gently and keep the cabin clutter-free. The picture doesn’t really do it justice, you have to see it in real life.

The cupholder is cool too, it flips out and rotates from a vertical to a horizontal position. It’s not new, they have used it in previous models but I still like it.

As you can see the rear quarters is gorgeous, the seats are intricately shaped and meticulously finished in quality leather and the wooden storage bin completes the look. Legroom is not bad and headroom is surprisingly generous for a low-slung shape.

Rear passengers get their own climate control buttons and there are two cigarette lighters (I suppose the French still love their Gauloises and Gitanes). Of course you can use them as 12-volt power sockets if necessary.

These chaps from Ambank’s auto financing took an immediate liking to the car, in fact most of those who attended the launch were quite partial to the C6 but they were all worried about the hefty price tag. Most people still cannot associate such a large number with Citroen the way they can to a Merc or BMW.

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

The original Picasso was a car worthy of the famous artist’s name, it bent the rules of automotive design and presented the concept of a compact MPV in a completely unique light. If you remember, the original Picasso looked like an egg on wheels. It was pure charm.

The new boy may be less revolutionary in terms of the concept but it is certainly an attractive looking compact MPV. While it is not quite quirky enough to be immediately identified as a Citroen, there is enough Gallic flavour to instantly establish it as a product of France.

Take the static steering wheel boss, for instance, it is a brilliant idea that has made it into several concept cars in the past but Citroen has made it a reality

It now crams more buttons and jog dials than most other steering wheel in the world, with the possible exception of a Formula One car steering wheel

Some say the number of buttons on the wheel is distracting, I say at least they are within easy reach and the driver does not have to pan left to see what he is doing, he just looks downwards a few degrees and there they all are.

OK I have to run for a bit, so just come back later if you want to read the rest of the review, in the meantime, enjoy the pictures

Continued…..

The centre console is far less adventurous, with a multi display unit taking pride of place on top of the dashboard and this is followed by the air-con vent and head unit that can be hidden behind a plastic flap. Completing the stack is a storage bin at the bottom.

OK, here is one example of the strong French flavour; the Grand C4 Picasso is equipped with a multi-zone climate control system and each front passenger get their own controls, so far so normal, correct? Well except that the controls are clustered around the air-con vents near the doors. They are only operable by the front passenger or driver.

I cannot begin to imagine why the decided to arrange the controls in such a way.

Is unauthorised temperature adjustment and thermal comfort dispute between the two front occupants of a car such a widespread problem in France?

The cost of wiring two separate control panels must be higher than plugging in just one centralised collection of buttons and knobs and yet it doesn’t really solve any problems, if a problem exists at all.

I suppose if we want to really think about it we have to accept that philospohically, this may be a better ergonomic solution as it enhances one’s right to control one’s won temperature without any risk of unauthorised adjustment…

Aside from the truly quirky A/C controls, the rest of the car is quite mainstream where it needs to be and wonderfully French where it can be. For example the three centre row seats here are independently adjustable and beautifully shaped to give it a very inviting look.

The headrest look like they are oversized pillows ready to gently hold the occupants head as it lolls around  into dreamland.

This large load carrying area doubles up as a passenger space for the third row of seats, which can now be seen folded up against the side walls.

Once installed, you are left with room for maybe one medium sized suitcase or aa couple of large duffel bags. It is no more and no less than one would expect froma  mid-size MPV.

The Grand C4 Picasso is definitely a worthy replace ment of the original and would complement any driveway beautifully, like a Citroen should.

Volkswagen Polo GTI 1.8 Turbo

The Volkswagen Polo GTI may not be as powerful as the Golf GTI and but there is no doubt that this is one fantastic car to drive.

For a start the engine is a gem, the turbocharged engine, like many other from the VAG group delivers power in a friendly manner, there is a surge as the revs go past 2,500 rpm but it is not violent and unmanageable, even in corners and this makes it a car that you can push hard on twisty roads without fear that it would bite your head off.

I took the car up the Ulu Yam road and towards Gohtong Jaya and it handled beautifully although there are times when I wished that it had a limited slip-differential to give added bite when powering out of corners. Since it is a turbocharged car, I like to keep the engine on the boil on fun twisty roads so in this case I am usually running one gear lower in some of the tighter turns.

It means braking early and settign up the car correctly for the turn feathering the throttle mid corner before letting rip once it opens up. This is when the LSD would come in handy to exorcise some of the slip on the inside front tyre as it struggles for grip.

While 150 horsepower and 220 Newton metres of torque is not prodigious by any account, it is enough to take the chassis to the limit. I suppose some of you may suggest slightly firmer damping to sort out any handling issues. Truth is the suspension set up is perfect, there are no real complaints so the only problem left unattended is slight scrabbling under power in turns.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel and boy-racer red stitching communicates well with the driver, telling you exactly when it is going to lose grip so you can lift off a bit when things get out of shape. Although it is a turbocharged engine, you can actually adjust the car’s front wheel grip with the throttle. Admittedly the set up is quite safe with a definite tendency to understeer but it is near enough to neutral to make it a blast on fast weekend drives.

I understand why the set-up is quite safe, the car is intended for first-time performance car drivers and you don’t really want them to start get it out of shape mid corners, especially if they panic and lift off the throttle completely and loosen the tail.

The five -speed gearbox is also a decent shifter with short throws and positive action but it is not a featherweight gearbox that you can change with your fingers. You need strong and well-rehearsed wrist action to slot it safely across the gate and into the next cog. It is slightly rubbery across the gate.

Wolfsburg has chosen the ratio very well, the car will comfortably pick up speed in fourth and top gear from 2,000rpm onwards with sufficient gusto to make it a great highway cruiser.

While on the way up north, I was picked on by a 320i driver who impatiently flashed and ducked into the left lane despite the fact that the road ahead was quite packed with traffic.

Once the path cleared, I simply stepped on the throttle and let the car accelerate away. The 3-series kept up for a few seconds but when the turbocharger was in aria, the double kidney began to lose pace. I opened up about five car lengths before tucking into a generous patch of empty space on the left lane.

Volkswagen quote a top speed of 216 clicks per hour and there is no reason to doubt that, in fact the car can easily slip to 200km.h without drama and hold that speed all day long.

On the highway, the chassis is close to perfect, never floating or wallowing even on the most challenging long undulations and when you drive over shorter waves, it never bumps or crashes.

For the RM138,000 list price this is a very good car but I hear you can convince them to part with the car for less, which makes it fantastic value for money.

While the Polo GTI may not be the biggest car you can get for your money, you do get a beautifully put together cabin although some passengers had issue with the choice of plastic finishing grain, they say it looks cheap even though the quality of the material itself is top notch.

If you are single or have a small family, this may be the car for you because four people can travel in full comfort while daddy drives with a smile on his face.