Originality is a rare phenomenon these days. Amidst an epidemic of conformity, it takes a lot to think independently, to make decisions that are refreshingly original and wise. This applies to all of our pursuits but, especially, to buying yourself a very good car – like the one you see in these photographs, for example!
Of course you know it’s a Citroen Basalt; its coupe-SUV lines are an instant giveaway of that and, despite being on the market for months now, it continues to turn heads just as it did when the wraps were first taken off it back in August 2024. Is that what motivated Fakhruddin Khambaty, the beaming owner of the very Basalt you see here, to buy one?
‘Actually, no! I like to maintain a low profile but the Basalt just gets everyone around too excited. I get honked at in traffic so often, only to be given a thumbs up,’ he says, in a disarmingly candid confession. Clearly not a fan of his newfound celebrity status, Fakhruddin’s decision to buy a Basalt went deeper than just its impressive coupe-SUV styling. An early Basalt customer, his lookout began with his need of a serious upgrade in terms of comfort for his family of five.
For an independent thinker immersed in the IT world, Fakhruddin is pleasantly rooted to his family. A testament to that is his home in a Pune highrise, a canvas generously dedicated to his senior citizen parents, wife and his car-enthusiast son aged 5. It’s a family that bonds as much over meals as over long-distance road trips — a regular fixture in the Khambaty’s calendar — and, clearly, it’s their comfort that takes centrestage when the conversation involves the car of the house.
Having upgraded from a succession of hatchbacks, Fakhruddin was insistent on a proper 5-seater, not pleased with the impractical middle seat most cars in the Rs 10-15 lakh price range offer. That he’s a thorough automobile nut, committed to real-world research, helped cement his decision. The Basalt’s ride quality and comfort, he believes, is way superior to anything else out there.
‘The test drive itself was an eye-opener. Instead of being restricted to good roads, the Citroen dealership insisted I drove on an exceptionally unruly stretch, where the ride quality impressed me to the point of making an instant decision — ruling against 9 other cars I had shortlisted!’ he says. ‘Soon enough, we were on the subject of which colour we had to pick — so we drew chits! Everyone picked Cosmo Blue!’ he adds with a hearty laugh.
As it turns out, the day Fakhruddin had set aside to meet us happened to be the very day he’d booked a service appointment, so he happily agreed to take us on a drive. Over the course of the hour long journey, courtesy Pune’s infamously erratic traffic, he thoughtfully narrated his insights on owning a Basalt. ‘I have a 60 km commute which I do thrice a week and I was clear about wanting an automatic,’ he explains. ‘Comfort, like I said, was top priority and I also wanted something seriously practical. A great boot, great seats, an uncomplicated suite of features — all the prerequisites for someone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel. The Basalt was, therefore, an easy choice to make.’ It’s hard to argue with that, but is living with a Basalt as delightful as driving one?
‘Absolutely. The service experience has been very confidence-inspiring. From the way I am treated as a customer to how well everything is communicated and, of course, the quality of workmanship, my experience with Citroen has been a very positive one. You see, since we travel so much, there is no substitute for peace of mind. Given the Basalt’s ride comfort, we do actually venture into remote places, and knowing my car will be well taken care of gives me the confidence to really travel and explore,’ he says, before reeling off his enviable road trip calendar for the year ahead which he invites us to as well! At the B4S Motors Citroen L’atelier located in the heart of Hinjewadi, Pune’s IT district, we see what he means.
His Basalt is instantly guided into the elaborate service bay while he is escorted to a swish customer lounge where an advisor engages in a patient exchange, looking into any queries or issues that require resolution — all of this while they can see the car being attended to through a large glass window! That inspires peace of mind, for sure! With the formalities swiftly dealt with, the Basalt gets a thorough service, emerging barely an hour later looking brand new. It really is that simple!
Okay, we already knew driving a Basalt — or any Citroen, for that matter — was a happy and rewarding experience but, as we’ve learned through the Khambatys, living with one is even more so. Always wanted a Basalt? Well, what are you waiting for, then?
