Citron has revealed further details on the eagerly awaited C4 Picasso that goes on sale in France this month.

The versatile seven-seat people carrier made its public debut alongside the stunning C-Mtisse concept car and the new C4 WRC rally car at the Paris Motor Show.

Citron says the C4 Picasso will set new standards in its class with an original seat-folding design that allows exceptionally quick and easy reconfiguration, helping to provide category-leading passenger and boot space. Citroen says that its designers have developed new ideas inside the cabin that use light to create a welcoming atmosphere. The subtle use of strip lighting under the central fascia, within the door panels and in the roof, diffuses a soft, indirect light, which can be adjusted via a control below the side of the steering column.

At the rear, the boot light doubles as a removable torch - it automatically recharges when the vehicle is on the move, whilst offering up to 40 minutes of use when hand-held. An air quality sensor is located upstream of the cabin air intake and continuously monitors the quality of the air outside of the car. If high levels of pollution are detected, it will automatically close the air intake flap and activate the air recycling function. An integrated air freshener can add a choice of fragrances into the cabin through two central air vents.

The C4 Picasso is the first vehicle on the market to offer a parking space measurement system. The driver simply presses the P' button on the steering wheel, flicks the relevant indicator and drives slowly along the row of parked vehicles. Two ultrasonic sensors at either end of the front bumper inform the driver whether parking is possible, difficult or inadvisable.