Fiat makes full-sized family car
18 January 2005
Fiat will re-enter the family-car market in early 2006 with the new Croma estate – shown here for the first time.
More Information
Related stories
Fiat will re-enter the family-car market in early 2006 with the new Croma estate – shown here for the first time.
The Croma is Fiat’s first full-sized family car since its namesake was removed from sale in 1994.
In length and breadth, the new Croma estate is almost identical in size to its rival the Ford Mondeo but it is significantly taller. Fiat said it will not launch a saloon or a hatchback version of the car. Prices should start between £13,000 and £13,500.
Power comes from a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines available from the car’s launch in Italy in June 2005. The entry-level 1.8-litre petrol produces 130bhp while the 2.2-litre develops 150bhp. An all-new 2.4-litre diesel offers 200bhp while 1.9-litre units put out 120bhp or 150bhp.
Fiat said all of the engines should be offered in the UK and that the powerful new 2.4-litre diesel could also be deployed in other cars. The Italian manufacturer has not specified which models might benefit and when, but has ruled out putting the diesel engine in the Ulysse MPV, which is exclusively powered by engines developed by Peugeot-Citroen and Ford.
Other new family cars on the way include the Hyundai Sonata, on sale in May 2005, and the sixth-generation Volkswagen Passat, on sale in the summer. The Croma is likely to undercut these new arrivals as well as existing competitors, such as the Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6 and Vauxhall Vectra.
The front of the Croma shares the same look as the Ulysse, but the rear end is far more dynamic and bears a striking resemblance to the Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon.
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2010
