Citroen has officially started production of its upcoming coupe SUV, the Basalt, in India. The Basalt is set to compete directly with the upcoming Tata Curvv, another coupe SUV expected to launch around the same time. Citroen has been steadily increasing its presence in India since its entry in 2019, and the Basalt marks a significant step in its expansion plans.

Currently, Citroen offers four models in the Indian market: the C5 Aircross, C3, eC3, and C3 Aircross. The Basalt will be the fifth addition to this lineup. According to recent media reports, production has commenced at Citroen’s facility in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. The Basalt is built on the CMP (Common Modular Platform) architecture, shared with the C3 and C3 Aircross.

The Basalt is expected to debut in India in a few months, with deliveries slated to begin around the festive season later this year. This launch represents the third stage of Citroen’s C-Cubed program, which is tailored for developing markets like India and South America.

One of the most striking features of the Citroen Basalt is its sharp receding roofline, which gives the vehicle a sporty coupe-like profile. Despite this unique feature, there are few differences between the Basalt and the C3 Aircross, apart from the profile and new alloy wheels. The front fascia of the Basalt is almost identical to that of the C3 Aircross, featuring the same chrome-lined Chevron logo, two-part grille, and faux silver skid plate. The integrated grille and air dam are flanked by projector LED headlamps, which replace the bulb units found in the C3 Aircross. However, the LED DRLs remain unchanged.

At the rear, the LED taillamps on the Basalt are sportier and edgier than those on the C3 Aircross. Additional exterior highlights include gloss black claddings on the squared wheel arches and door sills, faux skid plates on the front and rear bumpers, and all-black alloy wheels.

Under the hood, the Basalt will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. This engine produces 109 bhp and 190 Nm of torque (205 Nm in the automatic version). There will be no diesel engine option available for the Basalt.

The Basalt is expected to be positioned above the C3 Aircross, offering more advanced features and better creature comforts. This positioning suggests that Citroen aims to capture a more premium segment of the market with the Basalt, enhancing its appeal to customers seeking both style and substance in a compact SUV.

With the launch of the Basalt, Citroen continues to make its commitment to the Indian market stronger, offering innovative and stylish vehicles tailored to local preferences.