Fiat Croma
Encyclopedia
The Fiat Croma is a nameplate used for two automobile
s produced by Italian automaker Fiat
, one a large family car built from 1985 to 1996 and the other a cross-over wagon built from 2005 to 2011.
The original Croma was a five-door notchback
liftback penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro
of Ital Design and built on the Type Four platform, which was designed in cooperation between several companies and was also used for the Saab 9000
, Lancia Thema
and Alfa Romeo 164
. Although the other models were executive car
s, the Croma was marketed in the large family car
segment, replacing the Fiat Argenta
in the Fiat lineup.
The Croma was the first large car produced by Fiat to feature a transverse-mounted engine and front wheel drive.
The Croma was 1987 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
in Ireland.
.
Production ceased in 1996, and Fiat abandoned the large family car
segment. The Bravo/Brava
-based Fiat Marea
small family car replaced the Croma and Tempra
as the largest saloon and estate
in Fiat's model range.
The Croma was available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, the former from the Fiat DOHC engine family. Base models had the 1585 cc, 83 PS (61 kW) and 1995 cc, 90 PS (66 kW) "Controlled High Turbulence" powerplants, followed by two fuel injected 2.0 L units, one with 120 PS (88 kW) and the other a turbocharged
and intercooled version giving 153 PS (113 kW). Diesel engine
s were the Fiat's 1.9 L fitted with a turbocharger with direct injection, giving 92 PS (68 kW), and the 2499 cc unit supplied by Iveco
, with a normally aspirated version giving 75 PS (55 kW) and a turbocharged one with 115 PS (85 kW). This one replaced the previous 2446 cc with 100 PS (74 kW). The 2.5 L petrol V6 unit was from Alfa Romeo
, but as with the 1.6 L engine, was not available in all markets.
In 2005, Fiat announced a large cross-over wagon with an upright tailgate, reminiscent of that of the Fiat Stilo
, resurrecting the Croma nameplate. Again, Giugiaro styled the exterior, while the chassis was provided via the short-lived link with General Motors
. The new Croma is therefore based on the extended variant of the GM Epsilon platform
sharing components with the Opel Vectra
and Saab 9-3
. It went on sale in Italy in June 2005.
Unlike the previous model, and aware of its lack of image in the upper market segments, Fiat opted for not developing a standard large family car
but developing a "Comfort Wagon", an automobile with design elements of both estate
s and large MPVs. Its height of 1600 mm (63 in) falls between the Mitsubishi Grandis
and Ford S-MAX
large MPVs (1655 mm (65.2 in) and 1660 mm (65.4 in) respectively) and Toyota Avensis Wagon
(1525 mm (60 in)).
In February 2007, Fiat UK announced that the Croma would no longer be generally available in the UK, after less than 900 were sold in the whole of 2005. The car is still for sale in some countries, but the production stopped early 2011. Despite not being a showroom hit the Croma managed to sell in quite reasonable numbers with 65,000 sold in one year alone.
s as standard including knee bag for the driver. As standard the Croma is equipped with anti-lock braking system
and electronic brakeforce distribution
. It has a five-star EuroNCAP
crash rating for adult occupant protection:
look) and rear bumper, as well as some material changes inside are the main differences. Fiat now designates the revised model as "Station Wagon" instead of the previously used term "Comfort Wagon". The Nuova Croma is only sold in mainland Europe.
factory, has three trim levels and five engine options. Like the chassis, petrol engines were supplied by Opel, beginning with the brand new evolution of the Ecotec 1.8 L with 140 PS (103 kW), followed by the torquier 2.2 L with 147 PS (108 kW). However, the bulk of the sales is represented by Fiat's own Multijet engine, available in three variants 1.9 L with 8 valves and 120 PS (88 kW), 1.9 L with 16 valves and 150 PS (110 kW), and the range topper five-cylinder 2.4 L, with 200 PS (147 kW). The Diesel engines are fitted with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed automatic is also available.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s produced by Italian automaker Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
, one a large family car built from 1985 to 1996 and the other a cross-over wagon built from 2005 to 2011.
Fiat Croma (1985-1996)
Notchback
Notchback is a styling term describing a car body style, a variation of three-box styling where the third distinct volume or "box" is less pronounced — especially where the rear deck is short or where the rear window is upright...
liftback penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
of Ital Design and built on the Type Four platform, which was designed in cooperation between several companies and was also used for the Saab 9000
Saab 9000
The Saab 9000 is an automobile that was produced by the Swedish company Saab from 1984 to 1997. The 9000 was replaced by the 9-5 in the late 1997....
, Lancia Thema
Lancia Thema
The Lancia Thema is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia between 1984 and 1994, and one of four cars to share the Type Four platform alongside the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000...
and Alfa Romeo 164
Alfa Romeo 164
The Alfa Romeo 164 is an executive car with saloon body, produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1987 to 1998.The 164 was re-badged as the 168 for the Hong Kong and Malaysian markets, as the number "164" had a very negative connotation , and "168" has quite the opposite The Alfa Romeo 164...
. Although the other models were executive car
Executive car
Executive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :...
s, the Croma was marketed in the large family car
Large family car
A large family car, also known as a D-segment car, is a European automobile classification which is larger than a small family car and smaller than an executive car. Multi-purpose vehicles based on a large family car design are often called large MPVs, while similarly-priced models from luxury car...
segment, replacing the Fiat Argenta
Fiat 132/Argenta
The Fiat 132 is a large family car produced by the Italian automobile company Fiat from 1972 to 1981. An updated version of the 132, called the Fiat Argenta was produced from 1981 to 1985...
in the Fiat lineup.
The Croma was the first large car produced by Fiat to feature a transverse-mounted engine and front wheel drive.
The Croma was 1987 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
Semperit Irish Car of the Year
The Semperit Irish Car of the Year award was established in 1978. It is organised and judged by the Irish Motoring Writers Association . It is sponsored by tyre manufactuer Semperit and specifically by their brand - 'Semperit'....
in Ireland.
Facelift 1991
The Croma received a significant facelift in 1991 with new front design including changes to the lights, bumpers grille and sheet-metal changes to wings and bonnet. Also in 1991 the direct injected diesel engine was equipped with variable geometry turbochargerVariable geometry turbocharger
Variable-geometry turbochargers are a family of turbochargers, usually designed to allow the effective aspect ratio of the turbo to be altered as conditions change. This is done because optimum aspect ratio at low engine speeds is very different from that at high engine speeds...
.
Production ceased in 1996, and Fiat abandoned the large family car
Large family car
A large family car, also known as a D-segment car, is a European automobile classification which is larger than a small family car and smaller than an executive car. Multi-purpose vehicles based on a large family car design are often called large MPVs, while similarly-priced models from luxury car...
segment. The Bravo/Brava
Fiat Bravo/Brava
The Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava are small family cars produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1995 to 2001. The name was revived for 2007 with an all-new replacement for the Stilo; the new version will use only the Bravo name and is not available with three doors...
-based Fiat Marea
Fiat Marea
The Fiat Marea is a small family car available as a saloon and an estate , produced by the Italian automaker Fiat. Launched in 1996, the Marea models were essentially different body styles of Fiat's hatchback offerings, the Bravo and Brava. The Marea replaced the earlier Tipo-based Fiat Tempra...
small family car replaced the Croma and Tempra
Fiat Tempra
The Fiat Tempra is a small family car produced by Italian automaker Fiat from 1990 to 1998. The Tempra was intended as a replacement for the Fiat Regata. The original project was called Tipo 3, being a mid-size car between the Fiat Tipo and the bigger Fiat Croma...
as the largest saloon and estate
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
in Fiat's model range.
Engines
The Fiat Croma was the first passenger car in the world to have a direct injection Diesel (Turbo D i.d.) engine in (1986).The Croma was available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, the former from the Fiat DOHC engine family. Base models had the 1585 cc, 83 PS (61 kW) and 1995 cc, 90 PS (66 kW) "Controlled High Turbulence" powerplants, followed by two fuel injected 2.0 L units, one with 120 PS (88 kW) and the other a turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
and intercooled version giving 153 PS (113 kW). Diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s were the Fiat's 1.9 L fitted with a turbocharger with direct injection, giving 92 PS (68 kW), and the 2499 cc unit supplied by Iveco
Iveco
Iveco, an acronym for Industrial Vehicle Corporation, originally an alliance of European commercial vehicle manufacturers such as Fiat , Unic and Magirus. Iveco is now an Italian truck, bus, and diesel engine manufacturer, based in Turin...
, with a normally aspirated version giving 75 PS (55 kW) and a turbocharged one with 115 PS (85 kW). This one replaced the previous 2446 cc with 100 PS (74 kW). The 2.5 L petrol V6 unit was from Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
, but as with the 1.6 L engine, was not available in all markets.
Petrol
|
Diesel
|
Fiat Croma (2005–2011)
Fiat Stilo
The Fiat Stilo is a small family car available as a 3-door and a 5-door hatchback, as well as an estate , produced by the Italian automaker Fiat Automobiles. The Stilo 3-door and 5-door were launched in 2001 to replace the Fiat Bravo/Brava, with the Stilo MultiWagon following in 2002...
, resurrecting the Croma nameplate. Again, Giugiaro styled the exterior, while the chassis was provided via the short-lived link with General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
. The new Croma is therefore based on the extended variant of the GM Epsilon platform
GM Epsilon platform
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon...
sharing components with the Opel Vectra
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
and Saab 9-3
Saab 9-3
The first generation 9-3, a substantially improved 'new-generation' Saab 900 was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year. Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900...
. It went on sale in Italy in June 2005.
Unlike the previous model, and aware of its lack of image in the upper market segments, Fiat opted for not developing a standard large family car
Large family car
A large family car, also known as a D-segment car, is a European automobile classification which is larger than a small family car and smaller than an executive car. Multi-purpose vehicles based on a large family car design are often called large MPVs, while similarly-priced models from luxury car...
but developing a "Comfort Wagon", an automobile with design elements of both estate
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
s and large MPVs. Its height of 1600 mm (63 in) falls between the Mitsubishi Grandis
Mitsubishi Grandis
The Mitsubishi Grandis is a seven seat MPV built by Mitsubishi Motors to replace its Chariot/Space Wagon/Nimbus line. It was launched on May 14, 2003 and is sold in Japan, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, and South America...
and Ford S-MAX
Ford S-MAX
The Ford S-Max is an MPV/saloon produced by the Ford Motor Company for the European market and by Chang'an Ford Automobile Co., Ltd for the Chinese market. Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on sale alongside the new generation Galaxy in June 2006. It is intended to be...
large MPVs (1655 mm (65.2 in) and 1660 mm (65.4 in) respectively) and Toyota Avensis Wagon
Toyota Avensis
The Toyota Avensis is a large family car built in Derbyshire, United Kingdom by Japanese carmaker Toyota since 1997. It is the direct successor to the Carina E and is available as a four-door saloon, five-door liftback and estate...
(1525 mm (60 in)).
In February 2007, Fiat UK announced that the Croma would no longer be generally available in the UK, after less than 900 were sold in the whole of 2005. The car is still for sale in some countries, but the production stopped early 2011. Despite not being a showroom hit the Croma managed to sell in quite reasonable numbers with 65,000 sold in one year alone.
Safety
The Croma is manufactured with seven airbagAirbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s as standard including knee bag for the driver. As standard the Croma is equipped with anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
and electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution ', Electronic brakeforce limitation ' is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc...
. It has a five-star EuroNCAP
EuroNCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme is a European car safety performance assessment programme based in Brussels and founded in 1997 by the Transport Research Laboratory for the UK Department for Transport and backed by several European governments.-History and activities:Euro NCAP is a...
crash rating for adult occupant protection:
2007 facelift
The Croma got a minor facelift at the end of 2007 and was termed the Nuova Croma. A new grille (BravoFiat Bravo (2007)
The Fiat Bravo is a small family car introduced to the press in January 2007 in Rome, and later in the Geneva Motor Show in 2007.- History :The Bravo is produced in Fiat's plant in Piedimonte S. Germano. The car was designed by Fiat Style Centre. Austrian automotive company Magna Steyr engineered a...
look) and rear bumper, as well as some material changes inside are the main differences. Fiat now designates the revised model as "Station Wagon" instead of the previously used term "Comfort Wagon". The Nuova Croma is only sold in mainland Europe.
Engines
The Croma, built at Fiat's CassinoCassino
Cassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers...
factory, has three trim levels and five engine options. Like the chassis, petrol engines were supplied by Opel, beginning with the brand new evolution of the Ecotec 1.8 L with 140 PS (103 kW), followed by the torquier 2.2 L with 147 PS (108 kW). However, the bulk of the sales is represented by Fiat's own Multijet engine, available in three variants 1.9 L with 8 valves and 120 PS (88 kW), 1.9 L with 16 valves and 150 PS (110 kW), and the range topper five-cylinder 2.4 L, with 200 PS (147 kW). The Diesel engines are fitted with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed automatic is also available.
Petrol
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,8 MPI 16V | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... DOHC 16V |
1796 cc | 140 PS @6300 rpm | 175 newton metres (129.1 ft·lbf) @3800 rpm |
| 2,2 MPI 16V | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... DOHC 16V |
2198 cc | 147 PS @5800 rpm | 203 newton metres (149.7 ft·lbf) @4000 rpm |
Diesel
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,9 MultiJet 8V | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... DOHC 8V |
1910 cc | 120 PS @4000 rpm | 280 newton metres (206.5 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm |
| 1,9 MultiJet 16V | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... DOHC 16V |
1910 cc | 150 PS @4000 rpm | 320 newton metres (236 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm |
| 2,4 MultiJet 20V | I5 Straight-5 The straight-five engine or inline-five engine is an internal combustion engine with five cylinders aligned in one row or plane, sharing a single engine block and crankcase... DOHC 20V |
2387 cc | 200 PS @4000 rpm | 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm |