Citroen Basalt SUV Coupe Launched In India At Rs 7.99 Lakh – But There's A Catch

Published: Friday, August 9, 2024, 12:45 [IST]

Citroen has launched the Basalt coupe-SUV in India, starting at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). This introductory price is valid for bookings made before October 31. The Basalt is Citroen's latest model under the C-Cubed programme and aims to compete with midsize SUVs, particularly the Tata Curvv.

The Basalt's design shares similarities with the C3 Aircross, especially at the front. However, it features a distinct sloping roofline, new alloy wheels, redesigned LED tail-lamps, and a robust dual-tone rear bumper. It comes in five monotone colours: Polar White, Steel Grey, Platinum Grey, Cosmo Blue, and Garnet Red. The white and red options also offer a contrasting black roof.

Citroen Basalt: Features and Safety

Inside, the Basalt retains the dashboard from the C3 Aircross but introduces contoured rear headrests and adjustable thigh support for rear seats-a first in its segment. The boot capacity stands at 470 litres. Key features include a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, auto climate control, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and rear AC vents.

For safety, the new Citroen Basalt SUV Coupe is equipped with six airbags, electronic stability control, a rear parking camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a few more latest safety tech.

Citroen Basalt: Powertrains

The Basalt offers two 1.2-litre petrol engine options: an 82hp naturally aspirated unit producing 115Nm of torque and a 110hp turbo-petrol engine. The turbo-petrol variant pairs with either a 6-speed manual gearbox (producing 190Nm) or a 6-speed torque converter automatic (generating 205Nm). The naturally aspirated engine is available only with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Citroen Basalt: Pricing and Rivals

Although Citroen has only disclosed the starting price of the Basalt so far, more detailed pricing will be revealed soon. The Basalt competes with several models including Tata Curvv, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and MG Astor. Notably, its starting price is more than Rs 1 lakh lower than all these rivals.