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2017 Citroen C3 Picasso Spied for the First Time

Citroen has begun early prototype testing of the upcoming C3 Picasso.
Citroen C3 Picasso prototype spy shots 11 photos
Photo: CarPix
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The smallest MPV in the Citroen range is expected to get a replacement sometime next year. Even from the first prototype, we notice the C4 Picasso’s front headlight arrangement being applied to the C3.

We must admit it takes some time getting used to the unconventional headlights and their position, but once you think out of the box, the Citroen design is not bland but rather exciting for an MPV.

Unlike the previous generation C3 Picasso, the new MPV from Citroen will be co-developed with the French corporation’s partners, General Motors.

Specifically, General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroen have teamed up to develop their subcompact MPVs, along with other models in their ranges. The two companies will also build the vehicles in the same factories to save even more money.

While Opel is testing the future Meriva, Citroen is testing its right-hand drive equivalent, the C3 Picasso. Naturally, Citroen will provide a left-hand drive variant of the C3 Picasso as well, but we could not help noticing the fact that this car has its driving position on the right side.

The front end and rear design of the two models will be well differentiated, but the sides of the MPV will not be too different. We can make this prediction just by looking at the photos of the early prototype, which show a model whose profile closely resembles the one of its Opel equivalents.

According to industry insiders, instead of sharing engines, PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Opel will both use their engines on the new MPV twins.

The decision is not really cost efficient from a production point of view, as the body must be developed in a way that it will match and mate two rather different engine families, and many components will have to be adapted to suit both needs.

However, the situation will allow service engineers in workshops of both carmakers to know how to maintain and repair the engines of the future MPVs without further training, so there’s a bonus in the long run.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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