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THE PICASSO’S SIDE AIRBAG should protect the driver’s head and upper torso. But in the pole impact, it extended only as high as his shoulder. While it still protected him in this instance, it could not be relied on to keep him from harm in some other types of crash. For this reason, Euro NCAP awarded only one of the two points available for this part of the test.

Front impact
The car’s passenger cell proved itself to be strong and it protected its occupants from being struck by objects outside the car. Airbags are standard for the driver and passenger. The driver’s airbag allowed his head to slide to the right and it also ‘bottomed out’. In another accident, this could put him at risk of head injury. His chest also struck the steering wheel, increasing the injury risk for this vulnerable body area. In addition, there were hard points under the facia that could damage his legs and feet. The centre rear seat had a three-point belt which provides better protection than that of a lap belt. However it was possible to mis-route the diagonal part of the belt. The front belts had load-limited reel-mounted pyrotechnic pre-tensioners to reduce injury risks.

Side impact
As well as not extending far enough in the pole test, the side airbag did not protect the drivers chest as effectively as some of the others tested. The Picasso’s tailgate also opened as a result of the impact.

Child-protection
Citroën specified universal Römer Peggy forward-facing restraints for both children be used for testing. The 3-year-old’s head was not protected in the side or forward impacts. The younger child was protected but testers noted a high neck load that is typical of a young child in a forward-facing seat. A front passenger airbag is fitted as standard and this could cause serious, even fatal, injuries to a child placed opposite it in a rear-facing seat. But no written warning of this risk was given. In-car labels could also peel off and be lost.

Pedestrian protection
The Picasso offered too little protection, especially along its bumper. The bonnet was better but it did not do well where a child’s head might strike it.