Paris - Citroen has taken the wraps off its new C3 Picasso compact van that will be showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October this year and is scheduled for the European salesrooms in early 2009. 

According to the French car maker, the van will come with practical features such as folding rear seats that can extend the loading area. The passenger seat can also be folded down for longer objects. 

The van measures 4.08 metres in length with a width of 1.73 metres and a height of 1.62 metres. 

It will be offered with four engine versions - two diesels and two petrol. The petrol engines come with the choice of a 1.4-litre 95 hp or a 1.6-litre 120 hp. The diesel engines have an output of 90 hp and 109 hp. 

In another development, Peugeot Citroen (PSA) has reached a deal with Valeo for the supply of 1 million vehicles with start-stop technology by 2011. 

Citroen earlier announced that all C2 and C3 models would be come standard with the technology that reduces fuel consumption in city driving conditions by as much as 15 per cent. (dpa)