Citroen Basalt Plus

Buying a new car in India involves many decisions. Budget, safety, monthly maintenance, latest features, and company service network are key considerations. Today, we are going to deep dive into a new and exciting car that aims to meet these needs for you – the all-new Citroen Basalt Plus.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The Citroen Basalt Plus is expected to feature the familiar and efficient 1.2-litre PureTech Turbo Petrol engine. This peppy unit should deliver around 110 PS of power and 190 Nm of torque, offering good performance for both city and highway drives.

Design Overview

• Exterior: Get ready for a head-turner. The Basalt Plus truly embraces the SUV Coupe design trend. It blends the rugged stance of an SUV with a sleek, sloping roofline. Expect a bold front fascia with Citroen's signature split headlight design, muscular wheel arches, and a distinctive rear end, ensuring strong road presence.

• Interior: Step inside the Basalt Plus and you will find a cabin designed for comfort and practicality. While specific details are still emerging, expect a familiar yet enhanced layout. We anticipate good quality materials, comfortable seating, and a focus on spaciousness, especially for front and rear passengers. The design is likely to be uncluttered and user-friendly.

Key Features

Citroen understands what modern Indian car buyers want. The Basalt Plus is expected to come loaded with features to enhance your driving experience and comfort:

• 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Connected car technology (My Citroen Connect)
• Electric sunroof
• 360-degree camera system for easy parking
• Wireless phone charging
• Automatic climate control
• Digital instrument cluster
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• Rear AC vents

What is the Ground Clearance of

For Indian roads, ground clearance is crucial. The Citroen Basalt Plus is expected to offer a generous ground clearance of around 200 mm. This will help you tackle rough patches and speed breakers with ease.

What is the Boot Space of

Need space for your luggage? The Basalt Plus is likely to offer a practical boot space, estimated to be around 444 litres. This should be ample for your weekend trips and daily errands.

What is the Dimensions of

While exact dimensions are yet to be fully revealed, based on its platform, we expect the Basalt Plus to be a substantial car:

• Length: Approximately 4300 mm
• Width: Approximately 1796 mm
• Height: Approximately 1650 mm
• Wheelbase: Approximately 2671 mm

Powertrain Options

The Basalt Plus is expected to come with two transmission options for its 1.2-litre PureTech Turbo Petrol engine:

• 6-speed Manual Transmission
• 6-speed Torque Converter Automatic Transmission

Safety Features

Safety is paramount, and Citroen is expected to equip the Basalt Plus with a comprehensive suite of safety features:

• Multiple airbags (expected 2 standard, possibly 6 in top variants)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Traction Control System
• Hill Hold Assist
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Rear parking sensors and camera
• ISOFIX child seat mounts

NCAP Rating Table

As the Citroen Basalt Plus is a brand new model, official crash test ratings specific to this vehicle are not yet available. However, it shares its platform with the Citroen C3 Aircross. Based on the C3 Aircross's Global NCAP performance (under new protocols), here is what we can anticipate:

Note: These are anticipated ratings based on the platform. Official ratings for the Basalt Plus are awaited.

Rivals of Citroen Basalt Plus

The Basalt Plus enters a highly competitive segment. Its unique coupe-SUV styling pitches it against a few specific models, but its overall size and price point will make it compete with a wider range of compact SUVs:

• Tata Curvv (upcoming, direct coupe-SUV rival)
• Hyundai Creta
• Kia Seltos
• Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
• Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
• Skoda Kushaq
• Volkswagen Taigun
• MG Astor

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Pros:

• Striking Coupe-SUV Design: Will definitely stand out in traffic.
• Comfortable Ride Quality: Citroen cars are known for their pliant suspension.
• Spacious Cabin: Expected to offer good room for passengers.
• Peppy Turbo Petrol Engine: Offers a good balance of power and efficiency.
• Generous Ground Clearance: Well-suited for Indian road conditions.
• Feature-Rich Interior: Expected to include many sought-after modern amenities.

Cons:

• Limited Service Network: Citroen's dealership reach is still growing in India.
• Brand Awareness: Still building its presence compared to established players.
• Resale Value Concerns: New brands often face initial challenges here.
• Potential Pricing: Might be on the higher side given the features and unique design.

Conclusion

The Citroen Basalt Plus is shaping up as an interesting and fresh contender. Its unique SUV-Coupe design, expected comfortable ride, feature-loaded cabin, and strong turbo petrol engine bring a fresh perspective. While service network expansion is ongoing, the Basalt Plus could be a compelling choice for buyers seeking something distinctive, stylish, and practical. If you want a car that makes a statement and offers modern features, the Basalt Plus is worth exploring once launched. It promises to be an exciting option for the modern Indian car buyer.