Citroen Basalt Coupe-SUV: A New Entry in the Compact SUV Market
Citroen Basalt Coupe-SUV: A New Entry in the Compact SUV Market
Citroen Basalt was considered to be one of the most anticipated cars of Citroen. Now, it has finally unveiled its Basalt Coupe-SUV, marking its entry into the compact SUV market. According to the sources, This vehicle is the fourth model from Citroen’s C-Cubed programme that aims at expanding its footprint in India. The launch of Basalt is set to compete directly with the upcoming Tata Curvv, launching on August 7.
The Citroen Basalt stays true to its concept design, with only minor changes. The production model features 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, smaller than the concept’s, and different tires. The body cladding has been changed from glossy to matte. The Basalt shares many design elements with the C3 Aircross, including a sloping roofline leading to a high deck lid with an inbuilt spoiler lip. The tail-lights resemble LED units but use conventional bulbs. Available in five single-tone colors—Polar White, Steel Grey, Platinum Grey, Garnet Red, and Cosmo Blue—the white and red variants can also have a black roof.
The Basalt has a wheelbase of 2,651 mm, slightly shorter than the C3 Aircross by 20 mm, and offers a ground clearance of 180 mm.
Inside, the Citroen Basalt borrows elements from the C3 Aircross, including its dashboard design and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen. However, it distinguishes itself with a 7.0-inch full digital instrument display and adjustable under-thigh support for the rear seats. The Basalt offers a generous boot space of 470 liters.
The vehicle is equipped with modern features such as a 15-watt wireless phone charger, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and connected car technology. However, it lacks a panoramic sunroof, a feature that will be available in the Tata Curvv.
The Citroen Basalt will come with two petrol engine options. The first is a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated engine producing 81 bhp and 115 Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The second option is a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Both versions produce 108 bhp, but the manual offers 195 Nm of torque while the automatic provides 210 Nm.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the naturally-aspirated engine is rated at 18 kmpl, while the turbo-petrol manual achieves 19.5 kmpl, and the turbo-petrol automatic offers 18.7 kmpl.
The Citroen Basalt is set to launch in the coming weeks. Although it may not be as feature-rich as its main rival, the Tata Curvv, it is expected to have a competitive price tag, making it an attractive option in the compact SUV market.
Overall, The Citroen Basalt Coupe-SUV is a promising new entrant in the competitive compact SUV market in India. With its stylish design, modern features, and efficient engine options, it aims to attract a wide range of customers. As it prepares to compete with established models like the Tata Curvv, the Basalt’s launch is highly anticipated. This new model from Citroen’s C-Cubed program could potentially strengthen the brand's presence in the Indian automotive market.
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