French automaker Citroen is currently evaluating the viability of launching its new crossover coupe, the C3 Basalt, in the domestic market.
“The new C3 Basalt is under evaluation for introduction to the South African market although at this stage, no decision has been made as yet,” the company’s South African product team confirmed to TopAuto.
The Basalt is going on sale in India later in 2024, with potential export markets to follow in 2025, said the organisation.
Notwithstanding the manufacturer’s indecision on whether South Africa will eventually get the new Citroen, a local launch of the C3 Basalt wouldn’t be completely out of the question.
Citroen is on a serious model offensive with its C3 family, having introduced the C3 Feel to the country in May 2023 as one of the most affordable crossovers on the market, and the C3 Max in March 2024 as a more upscale variant of the Feel.
Later this year, it intends to bring an automatic version to South African showrooms, as well as a “compact SUV in the near future,” the automaker said – which may or may not be the Basalt.
The South African market has also seen an influx of coupe-shaped crossovers in modern times trying to capitalise on the success of fully-fledged coupe SUVs.
VW has its Taigo competing in the crossover coupe segment, BMW just launched the next-gen X2 in a similar silhouette, the new Volvo C40 qualifies to be one, Suzuki’s Fronx can nearly be classified as such, as can Toyota’s upcoming Urban Cruiser Taisor.
With all these well-established players entering the category, it only makes sense that Citroen would also be thinking about doing so with the Basalt.
In addition, the C3 has been labeled as the model that will boost Citroen’s growth in strategic regions away from Europe, the first of which are India (another right-hand-drive country) and South America.
Parent company Stellantis previously indicated that the sub-Saharan African zone is one in which it intends to vastly improve its market share in the coming years, further lending credence to the idea that the Basalt could appear on our roads in a few short years.
Basalt specifications
Thus far, the Basalt has only been shown off in concept form in the run-up to the production version being revealed in the second half of 2024.
According to its makers, the compact crossover coupe “combines the fluidity and dynamism of a coupe, the advantages and robustness of an elevated SUV, and the balance and space on board of a 5-door saloon.”
Up front, it wears the same grille and Y-shaped LED headlights as the rest of the C3 range with a bumper design derived from the ageing C3 Aircross.
The rear is unique to the Basalt not only in its profile but also its design, incorporating a sloping roofline flowing into an integrated tailgate spoiler, which is flanked by stylish LED light clusters and a sporty bumper.
Large alloy wheels, accented wheel arch mouldings, and a contrasting roof and mirrors complete the package.
The cabin of the new Basalt has yet to be revealed, and neither has its drivetrain, however, both of these should be similar to that of the C3 Feel and Max.
As such, customers can expect amenities along the lines of a multifunction steering wheel, touchscreen infotainment system, digital driver’s display, and dual-tone textured dashboard.
Under the hood, it is expected that the fresh-faced crossover will have the same 1.2-litre petrol mill as the other C3s pushing out 61kW and 115Nm or more.
We’ll find out much more about the new C3 Basalt later this year when it is officially unveiled in its final form.
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