After a series of teasers and design sketches, Citroen has officially unveiled the all-new Basalt in its final production form. This marks the fourth model from the French automaker in India to be built on the CMP (Common Modular Platform) architecture, following the C3, eC3, and C3 Aircross. The Basalt is set to make waves not only in the Indian market but also in South American and European markets.
Exterior Design
The exterior design of the Citroen Basalt is its most eye-catching feature, boasting a sharply receding roofline that gives it a distinctive coupe-like silhouette. The front end bears a strong resemblance to the C3 Aircross, featuring the same chrome Chevron emblem, split grille, and faux silver skid plate. However, the Basalt distinguishes itself with upgraded projector LED headlamps, compared to the halogen units on the C3 Aircross, while retaining the identical LED DRLs.
The side profile of the Basalt is highlighted by 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, which complement its coupe silhouette. The rear end is equally impressive, with a chunky dual-tone bumper and wraparound LED taillights that have a 3D effect. The design largely mirrors the images released a few months ago, with the addition of black plastic claddings on the wheel arches and door sills, enhancing its rugged appeal.
Citroen offers the Basalt in five exterior colour schemes: Polar White, Steel Grey, Platinum Grey, Cosmo Blue, and Garnet Red. Additionally, dual-tone options with a contrasting black roof are available with the white and red paint options, adding to the vehicle’s stylish and modern aesthetic.
Interiors & Features
Inside, the Citroen Basalt features a five-seater configuration with rear seats that include fixed headrests, an armrest, and cup holders. The interior is finished in light beige, providing a spacious and airy feel. The Basalt is equipped with a host of modern features, including a 10.25-inch infotainment system, a 7-inch digital instrument console, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, navigation, climate control, wireless charging, and a digital instrument cluster.
For safety, the Basalt comes standard with six airbags, an electronic stability program (ESP), a hill-hold assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Citroen claims a boot space of 470 litres, which is generous for its class. Rear passengers benefit from AC vents located both on the roof and behind the front centre armrest, ensuring a comfortable ride for everyone on board.
Powertrain Specs
The Citroen Basalt will be available with two petrol engine options. The first is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated unit that produces 81 bhp and 115 Nm of peak torque, paired exclusively with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The second option is a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 109 bhp and 190 Nm (205 Nm with the automatic transmission) of torque. This engine can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Citroen claims impressive fuel efficiency figures for the Basalt: 18 kmpl for the naturally aspirated unit, 19.5 kmpl for the turbo-petrol manual, and 18.7 kmpl for the turbo-petrol automatic, making it an economical choice for both city and highway driving.
Price & Rivals
While Citroen has yet to officially announce the pricing for the Basalt, industry expectations suggest it will be competitively priced to undercut its rivals. Given the features and performance, the Basalt will compete with established players like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Citroen C3 Aircross, Honda Elevate.
Conclusion
The Citroen Basalt is poised to be a formidable contender in the compact SUV segment with its striking design, robust features, and anticipated aggressive pricing. As Citroen continues to expand its footprint in India and other markets, the Basalt could very well set new standards for versatility and style in the SUV market. With bookings already underway for Rs 25,000 at authorized dealerships across India, potential buyers eagerly await the official price announcement and the chance to experience this new offering from Citroen.
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