Citroen is banking on the Picasso to continue its UK sales growth by broadening the customer base.

The Xsara-based MPV, built at Vigo in Northern Spain, is enjoying instant success in mainland Europe, where it was launched earlier this year. It has helped to fuel a 12.5% year-to-date sales surge.

Alain Favey, UK managing director, said that Citroen had received 100,000 orders across Europe and, in France, Picasso was already outselling two of its main rivals - the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira and the Fiat Multipla.

Europe's small MPV sector has rocketed to 60,000 units in three years and so far every new entrant has expanded the market.

Picasso will be available with two trim levels, LX and SX, in the UK and three engines, 1.6 and 1.8-litre 16v petrol and a 2-litre HDI diesel, all with 12,500-mile service intervals.

The range starts at £13,600 for the 1.6 LX rising to £15,716 for a fully specified SX – less than similarly equipped rivals.