Family estate from Fiat - On the road

There will initially be three engines: a 147bhp 2.2-litre petrol and two 1.9-litre turbodiesels with 120bhp and 150bhp. The range expands to include a 140bhp 1.8-litre petrol and a flagship 200bhp 2.4-litre diesel in January 2006.

The 2.2-litre petrol unit offers decent performance and remains quiet unless you use the full rev range. However, those looking to make swift progress when carrying heavy loads will benefit from the extra pulling strength of the 150bhp diesel. This unit is expected to cost around £17,000, about £500 more than the petrol. We have not yet driven the 120bhp diesel but it is expected to cost around £16,000.

You can tell it drinks from the black pump at idle, but the engine note becomes smooth once under way and remains distant when cruising at motorway speeds. It will haul the Croma to 62mph in 9.6sec, 0.5sec quicker than the 2.2-litre petrol, although the difference feels more significant than this.

The two 1.9-litre diesel engines get a six-speed gearbox, one ratio more than the 2.2-litre petrol. Both gearboxes are a bit notchy.

We’ll reserve final judgement on the ride quality until we’ve driven the Croma on UK roads. However, around town the ride feels comfortable, and the Croma feels stable when cruising at higher speeds. On the downside, there’s some body roll through bends. The steering is short on feedback, but accurate.

At the national limit, the door mirrors kick up some wind noise and changes in the road surface are audible, but most of the time occupants are well insulated from the outside world.