Citroen has introduced the Basalt coupe-SUV in India, priced at an introductory Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). This price is valid for bookings made before October 31, making the Basalt an enticing alternative to traditional midsize SUVs. The Basalt is Citroen’s fourth model under the C-Cubed programme in India and is poised to compete directly with the Tata Curvv.
Pricing and Competition
The full price list for the Basalt will be revealed in the coming days. However, its starting price already makes it the most affordable option in its segment, undercutting competitors like the Hyundai Creta (Rs 11 lakh*), Kia Seltos (Rs 10.90 lakh*), Honda Elevate (Rs 11.69 lakh*), Maruti Grand Vitara (Rs 10.99 lakh*), Toyota Hyryder (Rs 11.14 lakh*), Skoda Kushaq (Rs 10.89 lakh*), Volkswagen Taigun (Rs 11.70 lakh*), and MG Astor (Rs 9.98 lakh*) by at least Rs 1 lakh.
Exterior and Interior Design
Built on the same platform as the C3 Aircross, the Basalt sports a distinctive design with a sloping roofline, redesigned LED tail lamps, and a robust dual-tone rear bumper. It is available in five monotone colors: Polar White, Steel Grey, Platinum Grey, Cosmo Blue, and Garnet Red. The Polar White and Garnet Red options also offer a contrast black roof.
Inside, the Basalt inherits the dashboard layout from the C3 Aircross but introduces new features like contoured rear headrests and a segment-first adjustable thigh support for the rear seats. It also boasts a spacious 470-litre boot.
Features and Safety
The Basalt is well-equipped with a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and rear AC vents. On the safety front, it includes six airbags, electronic stability control, a rear parking camera, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Powertrains
Under the hood, the Citroen Basalt offers two 1.2-litre petrol engine options: an 82hp, 115Nm naturally aspirated unit paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a 110hp turbo-petrol engine. The turbo-petrol variant is available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox (producing 190Nm) or a 6-speed torque converter automatic (producing 205Nm).
With its competitive pricing and extensive feature set, the Citroen Basalt is set to shake up the midsize SUV segment in India.
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