New people-carrying 'mini will offer big space for people and bags, promises Citroen.

Citroen is to pull the wraps from a new, mini-MPV at next month’s Paris Motor Show. The C3 Picasso may be small but, says its maker, its cabin is the longest in its class and equals those of in plenty of bigger ones.

The boot, too, is among the biggest while the rear seats slide to and fro to tailor boot space and legroom according to need. In the cabin, the instruments are positioned centrally, though angled towards the driver. Citroen says this Picasso should be easy to pilot in town, thanks to its good visibility and near-vertical rear end. It also has big windows for its overall size, while top-spec models also feature a glass roof.

When it begins UK sale next spring, the car will be offered with a choice of two diesel and two petrol engines. The latter will be new units Citroen has co-developed with BMW, while the diesels will be from Citroen’s existing line-up, albeit tweaked to lower CO2 emissions and boost mpg.