KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Dark Edition is placed at the top of the variant line in these cars.
- All three cars get the same engine - 1.2L turbo petrol.
- More information below.
Citroen India, on April 10, launched the Dark Edition of their popular 3 cars - Citroen Basalt, C3, and Aircross. All of these cars offer this special edition in their top-spec variant only, and also cost a lot more than the regular variants. That said, we at 91Wheels have personally experienced these Dark Editions at the dealerships based in Gurugram, Haryana, and based on that, here is a first look review of these French cars. Let's start, and in the meantime, make sure to join the 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
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Citroen India - Dark Edition
Before beginning, one important thing to mention is that all of these 3 cars look the same from the front. As the overall design language is kept the same for all cars, there is no point in doing a first look review by giving each car a dedicated paragraph. Also, even the interior styling is kept identical. That said, we'll list out the features separately below.
So, unlike other manufacturers who are completely covering up the entire body of the car with a black colour, here Citroen has done it differently, as the silver skid plate is still there - at the bottom of the front side. Plus, the alloy wheels are the same, nothing new. Also, the silver skid plate is still there on the rear bumper of all three cars. Also, the grille of the Citroen C3 and Aircross is the same as before - two chrome stripes running in the middle to form the Citroen logo. On the other hand, in Basalt, it is totally blacked out.
To add more, on the right side beneath the ORVMs, Dark Edition badging is also there, which separates it from other variants. To add more, the overall black paint on these vehicles has a gloss/shine to it, unlike the rivals which are providing a more darker tone usually made matte black, which gives them a macho look, but Citroen cars in this edition look quite family-friendly.
Interiors
From inside, all of these three cars have the same interior design, just the difference is of features, which the C3 doesn't get many. Also, from inside, the interior feels plush as, along with the all-black treatment, Citroen uses red colour stitching on the front console and at the seats. Also, at the front seats, the "Dark Edition" is written.
To add more, the front panel close to the passenger seat features soft-touch material in a lighter tone of black, and from certain angles, it looks grey. Also, the AC vents still have the same chrome covering, and the same goes for the AC switches and several other areas. So again, it's not a totally Dark Edition overall, if you're expecting something way too dramatic.
Pricing (ex-showroom)
Citroen Basalt
Turbo Max Dark Edition - Rs 12.80 Lakh
Turbo AT Max Dark Edition - Rs 14.10 Lakh
Citroen Aircross
Turbo Max Dark Edition - Rs 13.13 Lakh
Turbo AT Max Dark Edition - Rs 14.27 Lakh
Citroen C3
Turbo Shine Dark Edition - Rs 9.58 Lakh
Turbo Shine Dark Edition AT - Rs 10.19 Lakh
Another important thing to mention here is that all three cars get the same 1.2L 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter. Talking about power, this engine makes 110 PS and 190 Nm of torque. However, if you choose the 6-AT gearbox, which is a proper torque converter, then the torque reaches the 205 Nm mark. Also, this is a gem of an engine and not for even a second feels like it is a 3-cylinder powertrain, as it pulls and pulls and can put a big smile on your face. Lastly, even its fuel efficiency is commendable if someone drives with a light foot.
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Verdict
So, these are the Dark Editions by the French automaker, which elevate the road presence of these cars, along with their prices. Now, upon close inspection, this doesn't feel like a proper Dark Edition, because Citroen has kept the original design elements, just used a black colour here, unlike other manufacturers - who truly make changes to the exterior and finish the car in a totally dark tone. That said, they all look beautiful and classy, but keeping them at the top will make it more difficult for the brand to generate more sales. Let's see how customers respond to it.
