Citroën Basalt starts at R$89,990, as the cheapest coupe SUV in Brazil; see details and versions

The model has the task of making the brand gain traction in sales in Brazil, and will compete with the Volkswagen Nivus and Fiat Fastback. Citroën Basalt disclosure/Citroën Citroën launches this Wednesday (2) the Basalt coupe SUV, a new addition to the French brand’s most economical line and the third derivative of the project that gave rise to the current C3. With a price starting at R$89,990, it hits the market as the cheapest in its category. The aggressive price serves to upset the Fiat Fastback and Volkswagen Nivus, which have a starting price of R$119,990. The three form the coupe line, in which the sloping roof at the rear serves to give a more elegant look without losing trunk space, which is close to sedans. The Basalt is another bet by the French brand to boost Citroën’s sales in the country. In 2024, the automaker occupies the simple 12th position in the ranking of registrations, representing 1.74% of the entire national market, according to data from the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Distribution (Fenabrave). Citroën does not disclose sales projections for the Basalt, but it is ready to compete with two best-sellers. The Volkswagen Nivus has 35,893 registrations in eight months, 11th place in Fenabrave’s general sales ranking. The Fiat Fastback has 31,792 units, 14th place. “I am very confident, optimistic and certain that Basalt will add a lot to the brand’s market share in the Brazilian market. Our customers can come from simpler hatchbacks, sedans and even other SUVs”, says Felipe Daemon, vice-president of Citroën for South America. READ MORE Car battery at its limit? See 5 signs that it’s time to change of the purchase Citroën Basalt from outside Basalt has a diverse target audience To g1, Citroën says that the Basalt’s potential customer has two main paths: those looking for their first SUV or those who want to change within the category floor. In addition to Nivus and Fastback, those interested in a Nissan Kicks or the recently launched Renault Kardian are potential customers. Due to the aggressive price, Citroën also wants to pinch those who thought about buying a compact hatch in the most complete versions. “I understand that car attributes can meet the most diverse customer profiles, while maintaining accessibility for different territories and needs”, says Daemon, from Citroën. “The new car has a very different positioning, bringing items and looks from more expensive cars to a more accessible level that is not found on the market today”, he continues. Basalt was born from an investment of R$10 billion in the state of RJ. Basalt, manufactured in Brazil at the Citroën plant in Porto Real (RJ), was born as part of a global project focusing on the Indian market. He was present in a large financial contribution that the brand made between 2011 and 2024, totaling R$10 billion in investments in the Rio unit. The Basalt has two engine options, both flex. The first is the traditional 1.0 Firefly aspirated engine, with 75 hp of power and torque marked at 10.5 kgfm. The manual transmission is five speeds. This is the set for the entry-level Feel version, the cheapest model. T200 1.0 turbo engine advertising/Citroën The second option is the T200 engine, 1.0 turbo, from Stellantis. Power reaches 130 hp and torque reaches 20.4 kgfm. The transmission is an automatic CVT type, which simulates seven gears. The turbo block equips the two other versions, Feel Turbo and Shine Turbo. The T200 also equips models such as the C3 You, the Peugeot 208 and the Fiat Fastback. Even with practically double the power, the T200 1.0 turbo engine only consumes between 6% and 10% more than the naturally aspirated version. According to data from Inmetro, the 1.0 naturally aspirated Firefly engine consumes: City: 13.0 km/l (gasoline) / 9.3 km/l (ethanol); Road: 14.6 km/l (gasoline) / 10.2 km/l (ethanol). The T200 1.0 turbo has the following numbers: City: 11.9 km/l (gasoline) / 8.3 km/l (ethanol); Road: 13.7 km/l (gasoline) / 9.6 km/l (ethanol). Interior of the Citroën Basalt Most popular design On the outside, the Basalt resembles the Fiat Fastback, with corners and right angles on the body. But the focus is on internal space, where Basalt has an advantage over its main competitors. The wheelbase is 2.64 meters. They are 8 cm longer than the Volkswagen model and 11 cm larger than the Fastback. It’s practically the wheelbase of a Toyota Corolla. The Japanese sedan is only 6 cm longer. Thus, space is generous for all occupants in the second row. The trunk also takes advantage of the dimensions, with 490 liters. It’s enough for two large suitcases, fitting well even a baby stroller. Of the direct competitors in this coupe SUV segment, the Fastback is no big deal: it has 600 liters. The Nivus has 415 liters. Equipment list Inside, all versions of the Citroën Basalt have: Seven-inch digital instrument panel; 10-inch multimedia center (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto); Rear camera; Four airbags; Three USB ports, two for second row passengers; Daytime running lights (DRL); Air conditioning. The Feel Turbo 200 version gets the 1.0 turbo engine and the CVT automatic transmission. The top of the line, called Shine Turbo 200, includes all of the previous items and adds: automatic digital air conditioning; Rear parking sensor; 16-inch alloy wheels; fog lights; Autopilot and speed limiter; Seats and steering wheel with colored covering; Side rear headrests with support flaps. For a limited time, an extra edition called the First Edition adopts all the items from the top-of-the-line model, changing the wheel to a blacked-out version, as well as exclusive floor mats, pedals, sills and logos. These are just visual items, which even include a roof in a different color. The prices for the Citroën Basalt are below: Citroën Basalt Feel: R$89,990; Citroën Basalt Feel Turbo 200: R$ 96,990; Citroën Basalt Shine Turbo 200: R$ 104,990; Citroën Basalt First Edition Turbo 200: R$ 107,390. How to change the air filter?



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