Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV Production Commences in India Ahead of Launch

Citroen has consistently stated that it has ambitious aspirations for the growing Indian car industry ever since it first arrived in the country in 2019. Currently, the French automaker sells the C5 Aircross, C3, eC3, and C3 Aircross models in the country. The upcoming Basalt Coupe SUV will be the brand's sixth model in this lineup. Since last year, several test mules of the Coupe SUV have been sighted on multiple occasions. According to a recent industry report, the company has now started manufacturing the Basalt in India at its Thiruvallur production facility. Similar to C3 and C3 Aircross, the model is built on the CMP (common modular platform) architecture. The crossover will make its India premiere in a few months, followed by deliveries around the festive season.

Also Read: Toyota Rumion vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Which is the Best Family SUV in India?

Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV: Design Details

The Citroen Basalt Vision's sharply receding roofline, which gives the vehicle a dynamic coupe-like silhouette, is unquestionably its most striking external feature. Nevertheless, the only real differences between the C3 Aircross and the Basalt are the new alloy wheels and the profile. For instance, the whole front fascia is nearly the same as the more conventionally designed C3 Aircross. Both models come with the identical two-part grille, faux silver skid plate for the chin, and chrome-lined Chevron logo at the top. A pair of projector LED headlamps, as opposed to the bulb units featured on the C3 Aircross, flank the integrated grille and air dam. The LED DRLs, however, haven't been altered.

In addition, the Basalt's LED taillights are sportier than the C3 Aircross. Other striking external features are all-black alloy wheels, faux skid plates on the front and rear bumpers, gloss black claddings on squared wheel arches, and door sills. The car will have dimensions of 4,300mm in length, 1,770mm in width, and 1,660mm in height.

Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV: Powertrain Details

On the mechanical front, the Basalt is expected to use the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that powers the Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross. The motor is good enough to churn out 108bhp of maximum power and 189Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to either a manual or an automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the company will not provide a diesel engine.

Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV: Features

The new SUV will most likely include a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), six airbags, a hill hold assist, a rearview camera, and parking sensors as standard features. Furthermore, it will probably sport a massive touchscreen infotainment system, a three-spoke steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, motorised ORVMs, automatic climate control, and a digital instrument panel.

Also Read: MS Dhoni is Now Citroen India's Official Brand Ambassador

Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV: Market Rivals

The Tata Curvv, scheduled to launch this year, will go up against the Basalt. In the coming months, Tata Motors will introduce the electric Curvv ahead of the ICE model, while Citroen is anticipated to release an electric vehicle (EV) based on the Basalt soon. The Citroen model will also serve as an alternative to the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda Elevate, Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Taigun, Kia Seltos, and Skoda Kushaq. 

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