Citroen Basalt will go on sale in the second half of 2024.
Citroen has today globally unveiled the all-new Basalt Vision coupe-SUV, the third model under the C-Cubed program following the C3 hatchback and C3 Aircross SUV. These images give us a first look at the exterior design of the upcoming model that will go sale in India in the second half of 2024. Although its still labelled as a concept, Citroen says, “It is faithful to the model that will hit the streets.”
Interestingly, ‘Basalt’ – which is what it will also be called in production-spec – is a departure from the nomenclature of the existing C-Cubed models where they have always carried the alpha-numeric ‘C3’. The Basalt will be locally produced here in India, and will also be exported to South American markets.
- Citroen Basalt is the third model under the C-Cubed program
- Combines SUV aesthetics with sedan-like proportions
- Prices will be announced in the second half of 2024
Citroen Basalt exterior design
The Citroen Basalt, unsurprisingly, bears a very close resemblance with the C3 Aircross. In fact, the entire front fascia is nearly identical save for a slightly differentiated finish for the inserts on the grille – you get the same chrome-lined Chevron logo at the top, a two-part grille and a faux silver skid plate for the chin. But what’s a welcome step up is that the Basalt finally gets projector headlamps instead of halogen units seen on the existing models. The LED daytime running lamp signature remains unchanged, and so does the bonnet.
Its when viewed in profile that the Basalt appears more distinct. The cladding over the wheel arches is a little more squared off here, the window line appears pinched from both sides and the roofline smoothly flows down to meet the boot. The cladding from the lower part of the doors have also been removed, thereby revealing the contoured surfacing, and the C-pillar features a stylish blacked-out extension of the window line. This concept rides on stylish alloy wheels with a gun-metal finish, although it is likely to be toned down in production-spec. The Basalt, however, still retains the pull-type door handles.
The Basalt features a short, stubby rear end with clean surfacing and newly designed tail lamps. They are of the same shape as in the C3 Aircross, but are larger and feature new LED signatures here. It also gets a chunky dual-tone bumper finished in black and silver.
The Basalt will be of a similar size as the C3 Aircross, which means it will measure about 4.3 meters in length. The SUV aesthetics and jacked up ride height combined with the coupe-like roofline makes it the second offering in a newly emerging segment of midsize coupe-SUVs that also has the Tata Curvv, also due for launch around the same time as the Basalt.
Citroen Basalt interior, powertrain, specs
Citroen, however, hasn’t yet given us a look at the Basalt’s interior. We expect the dashboard to be carried over from the C3 Aircross, but we do know it will come with more equipment. So, features like electric folding mirrors, automatic climate control, cruise control, wireless charging, push-button start and keyless entry could be part of the package right from the start.
Sharing the engine with existing C-cubed models, the Basalt will be powered by a sole 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, mated to either a manual or torque converter automatic transmission. There will be an all-electric iteration as well that will join the line-up about six months after the petrol-powered model goes on sale.
Citroen says it will announce more details about the Basalt towards the middle of the year before it goes on sale in the latter half. The electric version will follow by January or February 2025.