IMOTO: CITROËN BASALT
CITROËN South Africa is determined to continue growing in the country by introducing a new coupe SUV, the Basalt, which they have high hopes for.
In 2016, the company suffered a setback in the local market due to the theft of goods before returning under Stellantis.
Stellantis is one of the largest car companies in the world that oversees Citroen, Jeep, Peugeot, Opel and others.
From 2023 when the new C3 was launched, Citroën has been growing steadily since that year it sold 877 cars.
Last year that number reached 4,926 and, with the introduction of Basalt, they believe it will increase.
In the past years, the company was notorious for partying, but they say all that is history.
The Basalt slots in between the C3 and the seven-passenger Aircross.
It is divided into two types namely Plus and Max.
Zombili zinamaLED headlights, amaLED daytime running lights namaLED fog lights.
They ride on wheels with 16-inch rims and a ground clearance of 180mm.
The Basalt is 4 352mm long and it opens up inside and has a boot of 470 litres. After testing it in Johannesburg this week, I saw that it is comfortable, but you have to watch your head when you enter so that it doesn’t hit because of the bumpy skull.
The rear also has two charging and aircon vents.
At the front there is a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system where you connect a mobile phone via Apple CarPlay/Android Auto wirelessly. A rearview camera, a leather steering wheel and two speakers have been added to the Max.
Both have a 7-inch digital instrument cluster that displays important information.
The overall interior does not sound well built.
Under the bonnet they put a 1.2 liter turbo petrol engine. It has 81kW of power and 205Nm of torque. This three cylinder engine and common in other cars of this company, has a 6 speed automatic gearbox.
Crossing the mountains and winding roads towards Hartbeespoort, North West, it felt powerful enough for the two of us. Even passing other cars was not difficult because it responded to the way I was stepping.
I felt the comfort without the outside air that likes to have a baby inside.
Citroën says it is safe because they have installed six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), it does not reverse when you start from an uphill position, it tells you when the air is coming down from the wheels, ABS and so on.
Citroën says that if you were in the process of buying the Suzuki Fronx or its cousin the Toyota Starlet Cross, stop because the Basalt is their competitor.
In the way that they hope that the customers will accept it well, they are looking to end the year with more than 1,300 sold.
Price:
Citroën Basallt PLUS 1.2 Turbo 6-Speed Automatic – R354 900
Citroën Basalt MAX 1.2 Turbo 6-Speed Automatic – R 369,900.00
Both come with a service plan of four services or 60,000km and a warranty of five years or 100,000km.