The Citroën Xsara Picasso is a five door compact MPV, produced by Citroën from 1999 to 2010. The model was faceliftedin the beginning of 2004, with modifications to the front and rear design, changing from black bumpers to colour matched paint, with bright inserts and painted sidestrips, known as Picasso 2. From November 2006, a new shape was introduced, known as C4 Picasso. At the time of its release, two trim levels were available, LX and SX, with a choice of three four cylinder engines; a 1.6 and 1.8 litre petrols, and a 2.0 litre HDI diesel engine, all shared with the smaller Citroën Xsara. A new 1.6 HDI diesel version, with improved fuel efficiency, was launched as part of the revised range in 2004. Later designations were 'Desire', 'VTR', and the range topping 'Exclusive' trim level, some with electric glass sunroof, was introduced to the United Kingdom in the end of 2000. On all models, the front seat backs have fold down tables, and the rear seats can be removed to create extensive internal space for transportation of bulky items similar to a small van.
Specifications
The 1.6 HDi diesel engine was introduced in 2004. It has and produces torque with emissions of 131 g/km.
On 22 March 2007, Auto Trader reviewed the Xsara Picasso, calling it the most popular MPV in the United Kingdom, “thanks to a combination of practicality and affordability”. From 2001 to 2008, the Xsara Picasso has been assembled at PSA plant in Vigo, Spain.
Since 2001, the Xsara Picasso was produced in Porto Real, Brazil for the market in Latin America, where it was the top selling vehicle in its class for a while. The model was restyled again in 2007 in China and South America, with the grille adopting wide chrome bars
Name
The Picasso name was licensed from the family of Pablo Picasso, which created significant international publicity at the time of the car's launch, as not all the Picasso family were happy with the association of the artist's name with a car, when his granddaughter Marina attempted to sue her uncle Claude in April 1999. Pablo Picasso was originally linked with Citroën in the 1960s when he painted a Citroën DS with "The wreaths of Peace".
