2001 - Espera Pontarlier

Picasso El Bicho - 2001

S barro and its students from Espera in Pontarlier Sbarro presented an off-road version of Citroën's MPV, the Picasso, in March 2001. The aim was to offer an alternative version to the Renault Scénic RX4, a pioneer in this narrow niche of compact off-road MPVs.

Remarkable work by Espera Pontarlier students on the Citroën Picasso (photo by Romain Mathieu for Leclere)

RX4 as target

Following in the footsteps of the Volvo Crosscountry and Audi Allroad station wagons, the Sbarro El Bicho uses the same ingredients as the Renault Scenic RX4: reinforced bumpers, high ground clearance, large wheels and imposing rocker panels. It's not a four-wheel drive: the Picasso El Bicho does, however, feature a reinforced limited-slip differential to cope with difficult driving conditions. The Picasso El Bicho also features a number of now-classic tuning elements, such as white taillights, alloy wheels and a front bumper incorporating fog lamps.

The interior remains untouched, with the exception of the chrome center console trim.

It has to be said that the Picasso El Bicho is a serious, well thought-out proposition. And yet Espera's students only had a few months to design it.
Increased ground clearance and a rugged look for El Bicho (photo by Romain Mathieu for Leclere)

No follow-up

Although commissioned by Citroën, the Picasso El Bicho unfortunately never saw the light of day. It was sold at auction by Leclere on December 10, 2017 for €6160 during the sale of 64 vehicles from its Citroën reserves.
In brief
1- Official Citroën order
2- Study of a Citroën Picasso to compete with the Renault Scebic RX4
3- Registered in Switzerland
  • 4-cylinder HDI (Diesel) engine
  • Ddisplacement 1997 cm3
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Reinforced limited-slip differential
  • 5-speed manual gearbox