What is it?
The Basalt is the fifth model from Citroen India. Based on the C3 Aircross, its claim-to-fame is the coupe-crossover bodystyle – a first in the mainstream end of our car market. Interestingly, its market launch clashes with that of the Tata Curvv, which, again, is a coupe-crossover from the same segment. But such similarities and comparisons notwithstanding, the Basalt has a lot riding on it, especially after its siblings have pretty much failed to leave a mark on the local car-buying lot. Meanwhile, the unconventional body style and lucrative entry-level price of Rs 7.99 lakh helps Basalt grab eyeballs. But is it the game-changer that’s need-of-the-hour for its carmaker?
Of Flair and Pizzazz
Upfront, the Basalt pretty much mirrors the C3 Aircross, though a careful eye would notice the mild discepencies in the griile and the bumper. It even gets a multi-tier lighting arrangement with LED DRLs, LED projectors for the main beams and halogen foglamps. The side profile is where the real show begins. The coupe-crossover format not just makes the Basalt look grander than the C3 Aircross, but even lends it a unique distinct identity. Clearly, at Rs 8 lakh, there’s actually no other car that looks this special, unless, of course, the Curvv launches at a similar price point. Other highlights here include the body cladding to emphasize on the crossover-credentials, and the stylish 16-inch machine-cut rims. At the rear, the steeply-raked hatchgate and 3D-effect taillamps will grab your attention. All’s not hunky-dory though – the door handles scream cheap and feel like they come from an entry hatch.
The Citroen Basalt is 4,352 mm long, 1,765 mm wide, and 1,593 mm tall. In comparison, the Currv measures 4,310 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width and 1,637 mm in height. Also, its wheelbase, at 2560 mm, is 9 mm longer. Between the two, there’s actually little in common once you look past the coupe-crossover body-style. While the Basalt impresses with its clean, distinctly European lines and rather traditional styling touches, the Curvv is all about crisp creases and a rather edgy, borderline-futuristic look. Both the new models will have their respective share of admirers.
Also Read: Citroen Basalt vs C3 Aircross – What All’s Different?
Chic Outside, Clever Inside
Beneath the flamboyant exterior is a rather practical interior, which impresses with its numerous clever touches, that is, once you’re over the dated flip-type key and lack of push button start. The doors open wide while the seats offer great comfort. Speaking of which, the adjustable-thigh-support on the rear seats helps this car win brownie points. And then, there are the concave headrests that provide lateral support to keep your head in place while catch a few winks. The rear bench can accommodate two adults in good comfort, though a middle passenger would be a bit of a squeeze. The middle seat ever misses out on a headrest.
The dashboard looks a lot like the one on the Aircross, though the climate control unit is new and looks more upmarket. Speaking of the climate control, the Basalt offers ‘tropical AC’ tuned to cater the extreme weather conditions of the sub-continent. Tell me, when was the last time you saw a climate control system offering a minimum temperate setting of below 14 degree Celcius? Other highlights of the equipment list include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment that runs wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone charger, and a rear parking camera. Other than the push-button start/stop, it even misses out on goodies like a sunroof, ventilated seats, cruise control, and 360-degree camera. In fact, even the 60:40 split-folding rear seat is conspicuous by its absence, though the 470-litre boot is generous, albeit, with a high loading lip. The safety kit includes six airbags, ESP, TPMS and ISOFIX anchorage. Even the monocoque has received reinforcements for improved crash worthiness.
Makes it Simple, But Significant
Akin to the C3 Aircross, the Basalt offers two petrol-sipping 1.2-litre 3-potters – 82hp/115Nm 1.2 NA and 110hp/190Nm Turbo. The latter churns out 205Nm when mated to the Aisin-sourced 6-speed automatic unit. There’s no alternate fuel option or EV version. But with the turbo-petrol offering up to 19.5 km/l (claimed), most won’t miss an oil-burner or a CNG option. As in case of the Aircross, acceleration is sufficiently strong while the turbo-lag is well-controlled. The NVH control is decent, though the characteristic 3-cylinder vibes are noticeable at idle. Citroen claims a 0-100 km/h run of less than 10 seconds – We could manage a 11.2 seconds run on the auto with two adults aboard and the AC running. So, basically, the acceleration is brisk and you won’t complain of lack of punch.
The suspension is tuned for optimal comfort levels – absolutely no surprises here. Even though the Basalt misses out on the sophisticated setup of the C5 Aircross, it manages to feel like the most comfortable car reasonable money can buy. In fact, the comfortable rear seat and the proverbial magic carpet ride makes this car a pretty good option even for the chauffeur-driven. The car easily soaks up all the craters and undulations that come its way. There’s little vertical movement, but the passengers don’t get tossed around when travelling on broken surfaces. The steering, unlike the ones on some Korean and Japanese models, isn’t too light. Instead, it’s slightly on the heavier side, while offering a good precision. There’s enough grip when attacking the corners hard, though we would rather enjoy this car’s ride quality over its corner-carving prowess.
Throws a Curve?
The Citroen Basalt isn’t perfect – it misses out on some ‘feel-good’ features, and doesn’t have alternate fuel options. But there’s enough to make it immensely likable. For starters, the aesthetics guarantee attention, while its cabin is strewned with several comfort-enhancing touches. And then, there’s the fantastic ride quality that makes it more comfortable than even some of the costlier models. But what truly helps the Basalt stay above the curve (pun unintended) is its base price of just Rs 7.99 lakh. Even the fully-loaded model is likely to cost no more than Rs 13.5 lakh, and at those prices, the Basalt offers you a great bang for the buck.
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