Citroen Unveils Stylish New Basalt: A Coupe-SUV for India

More Features, Same Engine: What to Expect Inside and Under the Hood of the Basalt

Citroën has taken the wraps off its latest offering, the Citroën Basalt Vision, a head-turning coupe SUV. This new model is the fourth addition to the automaker’s C-Cubed range in India, after the C3 and eC3 hatchbacks and the C3 Aircross SUV.

Another bold name is global aspirations

The name "Basalt" indicates a departure from the usual alphanumeric names of a C-Cubed system. This bold choice reflects the unique characteristics of basalt. Citroën is still branding the concept, assuring us that the manufacturer will remain very true to its design. The basalt will be produced locally in India, catering to the domestic market, and also exported to South America.

The SUV looks like a luxury coupe with a twist

The Citroën Basalt shares some design features with its C3 Aircross sibling, especially on the front fascia. Citroën's chrome accented logo, two-piece grille and silver skid plates are all present. However, instead of the halogens found in other C-Cubed models, the Basalt projector headlamps get a welcome upgrade. The LED daytime running lights and bonnet system remain the same.

The back side is where basalt really stands out. The wheel arches are more angular, the window lines shrink slightly, the roof lines drop gracefully towards the rear and the door panels disappear, revealing the car’s sculpted body lines. The C-pillar gets a nice black extension that visually extends the window. Although the concept sits on premium gunmetal alloy wheels, these may be discounted for production. One takeaway from the C3 Aircross is the pull-like door handle.

Also Read: Citroen Unveils C3 Aircross Automatic Version, Priced at Rs 12.85 Lakh

Sharp exterior lights and wide interior (will flash).

 The Basalt has a clean and minimalist design with updated tail lights at the rear. These lights retain the basic shape of the C3 Aircross taillights but are larger and feature new LED signatures. A chunky two-tone bumper finishes in a black and silver finish look.

Citroën has yet to reveal the interior of the Basalt. We expect it to share some similarities with the C3 Aircross dashboard but with the promise of more features. It can include features such as mirror folding capabilities, automatic climate control, cruise control, wireless charging, push-button start and keyless entry – features currently unavailable from other C-Cubed models.

Engine options and upcoming launches

The Basalt will borrow the 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine from its C-cubed siblings, producing 110 horsepower.This engine will be mated to a manual or torque converter automatic transmission. An all-electric version of the Basalt is also planned, and will arrive about six months after the launch of the petrol model.

While more details on Basalt are expected in mid-2024, launch is planned for the second half of the year. Electric version will follow in early 2025. With its stylish design and feature upgrades, the Citroën Basalt is poised to be a strong contender in the emerging mid-size coupe SUV segment, going head-to-head with the upcoming Tata Curve.

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