Tata Curvv Rival Citroen Basalt SUV Coupe Confirmed For Reveal In August

Quick Highlights

• Citroen will unveil the Basalt SUV coupe for India in the month of August. 

• It will compete against compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos and directly rival the Tata Curvv.

• It is expected to get a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine.

• The Basalt will likely get features like a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 7-inch digital driver’s display.

• Citroen could price it from Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Citroen has announced that it will be unveiling the India-spec Basalt in the month of August. Though we are not aware of the exact date, we expect it to be revealed in the first half of the month. The Basalt will stand out in the compact SUV segment with its unique SUV-coupe body style, but will face tough competition from the upcoming Tata Curvv SUV Coupe. 

Here are all the details that we are aware of till now: 

Design 

Design-wise, the Basalt gets some styling elements such as the split grille from the C3 and C3 Aircross SUV. It features a split headlight setup and the chunky bumper along with the squarish elements  add to the aggressiveness of the SUV. 

From the sides, it boasts a sloping roofline and sporty looking multi-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels. Moreover, it gets squared-out wheel arches and body cladding that add to the rugged design. 

Looking at the rear, you will notice its tall stance which makes the SUV look big, and the chunky silver skid plate to further enhance the appearance. Additionally, the rear features wraparound LED tail lamps, which also look similar to the C3 Aircross.

Features

The Basalt will likely share features with some other Citroen models such as the C3 and C3 Aircross. These features include a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch digital driver’s display and keyless entry. 

Note: Citroen C3 Aircross image used for representation purpose 

However, for it to compete better with the feature-loaded compact SUVs, we expect Citroen to add niceties such as automatic climate control, cruise control, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, a dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof as well.

In terms of safety features, it is expected to get six airbags as standard, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera, and hill hold assist.

Powertrain 

The upcoming Citroen Basalt is expected to be equipped with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine which produces 110 PS and to 205 Nm. Transmission options will likely include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Its lower-end variants could also be offered with an 82 PS 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine for making it more affordable. 

Price And Rivals 

The Citroen Basalt is expected to retail from around Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). As mentioned above, it will directly compete with the upcoming Tata Curvv, while being an SUV-coupe alternative to compact SUVs like Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta, Honda Elevate, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Toyota Hyryder, and MG Astor.