The upcoming Citroen’s Tata Curvv rival, the Basalt, has been spotted testing on Indian roads yet again. Tata Motors and Mahindra are working on coupe SUVs for the mass market. Citroen is following the lead and revealed the Basalt a few weeks ago. It will be inspired by the C3 Aircross. However, the main differentiation will be its sloping roofline and a coupe stance which is uncommon in the mass market. The aim is to woo new customers by offering something unique with a great road presence. Let us take a look at the details here.
Citroen’s Tata Curvv Rival Spied
The latest spy shot comes from Ravin, who captured the rear section of the coupe SUV in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Even though the tail end is wrapped under a thick camouflage, the wrap-around taillamps give away its true identity. Also, the bootlid-integrated spoiler is something typical of the Basalt. The side profile also highlights the sloping roofline. I particularly like the muscular and rugged wheel arches which absorb the alloy wheels quite neatly. The lower part of the door panels bear a strong contour which accentuates its adventurous nature. Finally, the bumper is sturdy and houses the reflector lights at the rear.
Even though the specifications have not officially been announced yet, I expect it to borrow the powertrain from the C3 Aircross. This means that we will most likely see the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine generating a healthy 110 PS and 190 Nm of peak power and torque. One can choose between either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. With the latter, the torque figure surges up to 205 Nm. On the inside, we could witness the large 10.1-inch infotainment system, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, electric sunroof and tons of modern amenities.
| Specs (exp.) | Citroen Basalt |
| Engine | 1.2-litre 3-cyl Turbo Petrol |
| Power | 110 PS |
| Torque | 190 Nm (205 Nm w/ AT) |
| Transmission | 6MT / AT |
Our View
The French carmaker is trying to expand its footprint in India with SUVs. Starting with the premium C5 Aircross, Citroen focused on mass-market products like the C3 and C3 Aircross. In fact, even the electric version of the former, the e-C3, was launched. Now, the brand aims to diversify its portfolio to cater to a wide range of potential customers. Hence, the Basalt will be the attempt to offer a slightly offbeat product. We shall have to wait a bit longer to know the full details.
You may also like: Citroen Basalt (Tata Curvv-Rival) Spied Sans Camo For the First Time Ever!
