TheFiat Cromaname was used for two distinctlarge family carsbyFiat,one a five doorliftbackmanufactured and marketed from 1985 to 1996, and after a nine-year hiatus, a crossoverstation wagonmanufactured and marketed from 2004 to 2010.
| Fiat Croma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| Production |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat Argenta(as sedan) |
| Successor | Fiat Freemont |
First generation (1985–1996)
edit| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1989 Fiat Croma | |
| Overview | |
| Model code | 154 |
| Production | 1985–1996 |
| Assembly | Italy:Mirafiori,Turin |
| Designer | Giorgetto GiugiaroatItaldesign |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-doorliftback |
| Platform | Tipo Quattro[1] |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm (104.7 in) |
| Length | 4,495 mm (177.0 in) |
| Width | 1,755 mm (69.1 in) |
| Height | 1,425 mm (56.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,095 kg (2,414 lb) approx |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat Argenta |
The original Croma (Type 154) was a five doornotchbackliftbackstyled byGiorgetto GiugiaroofItaldesignusing theType Four platform,cooperatively used with theSaab 9000,Lancia ThemaandAlfa Romeo 164.[2]
Released in December 1985, it was marketed in thelarge family carsegment, replacing theArgentain the Fiat lineup. The Croma was the first large car produced by Fiat to feature a transverse mounted engine and front wheel drive.[3]
Facelift
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The Croma received a light facelift for 1988, first shown inFrankfurtin September 1987. The black plastic between the rear lamps was now ridged rather than smooth, the lower portion of the bumpers were body coloured, and the turn signals received clear glass rather than amber.[4]
The front appearance received some other light modifications to bring its appearance in line with that of the recently introducedTipo.[5]
A more significant facelift was released in January 1991, with a 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 avariable geometry turbocharger( "VNT" ).[6]Another facelift was released in June 1993.
Production ended in December 1996, and Fiat left thelarge family carsegment. TheBravo/BravabasedMareasmall family cardebuted at the same time as the Croma ceased production.
Engines
editThe Croma was available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, most of the petrol units coming fromFiat's Twin Cam engine family.
Base models had a single cam 1,585 cc four-cylinder engine rated at 83 hp (61 kW) and the larger 1,995 cc, "Controlled High Turbulence" (CHT) engine rated at 90 hp (66 kW), followed by two fuel injected 2.0 litre twin cam powerplants, one with 120 hp (88 kW) and the other aturbochargedand intercooled version rated at 155 hp (114 kW).
The later 2.5 L V6 petrol unit was fromAlfa Romeo,but as with the 1.6 L engine it was not available in all markets. The 2.0 CHT model was designed specifically to provide low fuel consumption under light and medium loads thanks to two separate inlet manifolds of different diameters.[7]
The Fiat Croma was the first passenger car in the world to have adirect injection Diesel(Turbo D i.d.) engine, going on sale in 1988.[5][8]The 1.9 L fitted with a turbocharger withdirect injectionproduces 92 hp (68 kW). It joined the 2,499 cc unit supplied byIveco,with a normally aspirated version giving 75 hp (55 kW) and a turbocharged one with 115 hp (85 kW). The latter version replaced the original 2,445 cc with 100 hp (74 kW).
Diesel engined variants of the Croma were not marketed in the United Kingdom.
Petroledit
Dieseledit
|
Second generation (2005–2010)
edit| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Model code | 194 |
| Production | 2004[9]–2010 (LHD)[10] 2005–2007 (RHD) |
| Assembly | Cassino– Piedimonte S. Germano (Frosinone), Italy |
| Designer | Giorgetto GiugiaroatItaldesign |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-doorwagon |
| Platform | GM Epsilon platform |
| Related | Cadillac BLS Opel Signum Opel Vectra Saab 9-3 |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | 5- and 6-speedmanual 6-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (110 in) |
| Length | 4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,783 mm (188.3 in) (facelift) |
| Width | 1,775 mm (69.9 in) |
| Height | 1,600 mm (63 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Fiat Freemont |
In March 2005, Fiat announced a large crossover wagon with an upright tailgate, reminiscent of that of theFiat Stilo,resurrecting the Croma nameplate. Giugiaro once again styled the exterior, while the chassis was provided via the short-lived link withGeneral Motors.
The new Croma (Type 194) is therefore based on the extended variant of theGM Epsilon platformsharing components with theOpel Vectra,Opel SignumandSaab 9-3.The car was first shown at theGeneva Motor Showin spring 2005 and went on sale in Italy in June of that year.
Aware of its lack of image in the upper market segments, Fiat opted for developing a "Comfort Wagon",[11]an automobile with design elements of bothestatesandlarge MPVs,instead of developing a standardlarge family carlike the previous model.
Its height of 1,600 mm (63.0 in) falls between that of theMitsubishi GrandisandFord S-Maxlarge MPVs (1,655 mm (65.2 in) and 1,660 mm (65.4 in) respectively) andSEAT Altea XL(1,525 mm (60.0 in)). In February 2007, Fiat UK announced that the Croma would no longer be generally available in theUnited Kingdom,after less than 900 were sold in 2005.
The car was still offered, but only on special order, withRHDmodels manufactured to customer specifications. Production of the second generation Croma ceased at the end of 2010 and the car was replaced by the Dodge-basedFiat Freemont.
Safety
editThe Croma has sevenairbagsas standard, including one knee bag for the driver. As standard, the Croma is equipped withanti-lock braking systemandelectronic brakeforce distribution.It received a five starEuro NCAPcrash rating for adult occupant protection:
| Test | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Adult occupant: | 34 | 
|
| Child occupant: | 39 | 
|
| Pedestrian: | 6 |
|
Facelift
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The Croma got a major facelift in November 2007, and was termed theNuova Croma.A new grille,Fiat Bravoheadlights, a new 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".[12]TheNuova Cromawas only sold in mainland Europe, excluding theUnited Kingdom.
Engines
editThe Croma, built at Fiat'sCassinofactory, had three trim levels and five engine options. Like the chassis, petrol engines were supplied by Opel, beginning with the brand new evolution of theFamily 1Ecotec1.8 L with 140 hp (103 kW), followed by the torquierL850Ecotec2.2 L with 147 hp (108 kW).
However, the bulk of the sales is represented by Fiat's ownMultijet engine,available in three variants 1.9 L with 8 valves and 120 hp (88 kW), 1.9 L with 16 valves and 150 hp (110 kW), and the range topping, five-cylinder 2.4 L 20V with 200 hp (147 kW). The diesel engines were fitted with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed automatic was also available and was standard on the 2.4 engines.
Petrol
edit| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 MPI 16V | DOHC 16VI4 | 1796 cc | 140 hp (103 kW) at 6300 rpm | 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm |
| 2.2 MPI 16V | DOHC 16V I4 | 2198 cc | 147 hp (108 kW) at 5800 rpm | 203 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm |
Diesel
edit| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 MultiJet 8V | SOHC 8VI4 | 1910 cc | 120 hp (88 kW) at 4,000 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm |
| 1.9 MultiJet 16V | DOHC 16V I4 | 1910 cc | 150 hp (110 kW) at 4,000 rpm | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm |
| 2.4 MultiJet 20V | DOHC 20VI5 | 2387 cc | 200 hp (147 kW) at 4,000 rpm | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm |
References
edit- ^"Curiosidades Tipo".Fiat Tipo Portugal. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2012.Retrieved30 December2013.
- ^"Octane Model Specs".Classicandperformancecar.com. Archived fromthe originalon 11 March 2012.Retrieved1 August2012.
- ^AutocarTest Update 19 August 1987
- ^Baghetti, Giancarlo (17 December 1987). "Che diesel volete?" [Which diesel do you want?].Auto Oggi(in Italian).2(54). Verona, Italy:Arnoldo Mondadori Editore:19.
- ^abMastrostefano, Raffaele, ed. (January 1989). "Le nostre" stelle ""[Our" stars "].Quattroruote(in Italian). Vol. 34, no. 399. Milan, Italy: Editoriale Domus. pp. 90–91.
- ^"Turbo Pioneer".honeywell.com.Archived fromthe originalon 4 May 2012.Retrieved22 January2014.
- ^Letrou, Jean-Claude (January 1986). "Fiat Croma: En quête d'image" [On a quest for image].L'Automobile Magazine(in French).Neuilly-sur-Seine,France: Societé des Editions Techniques et Touristiques de France: 34.ISSN0758-6957.
- ^"Air technologies - Heritage".fiat.com.Archived fromthe originalon 8 August 2013.
- ^"FIAT ePER VIN: ZFA19400002000003".pekidi.com.Retrieved26 September2024.
- ^"Fiat Croma uit productie; het einde van een tijdperk".autoedizione.nl(in Dutch). 17 January 2011.Retrieved6 April2011.
- ^Car Reviews: First Drives: Fiat Croma- Autoexpress
- ^"Nuova Fiat Croma".italiaspeed.com.Retrieved13 November2007.
External links
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