Year of Fiat Croma

The Fiat Croma is a nameplate used for two automobiles produced by Italian automaker Fiat, one built from 1985 to 1996 and the other since 2005.

The original Croma was a five-door notchback liftback penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro and built on the "Type Four" chassis, 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 cars, the Croma was marketed in the large family car segment, replacing the Fiat Argenta.

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.

Engines

Fiat Croma was the first passenger car in the world to have 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 1585cc, 83PS (61kW) and 1995cc, 90PS (66kW) "Controlled High Turbulence" powerplants, followed by two fuel injected 2.0L units, one with 120PS (88kW) and the other a turbocharged and intercooled version giving 153PS (113kW). Diesel engines were the Fiat's 1.9L fitted with a turbocharger with direct injection, giving 92PS (68kW), and the 2499cc unit supplied by Iveco, with a normally aspirated version giving 75PS (55kW) and a turbocharged one with 115PS (85kW). This one replaced the previous 2446cc with 100PS (74kW). The 2.5 L petrol V6 unit was from Alfa Romeo.

Diesel

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 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 estates and large MPVs. Its height of 1600mm falls between the Mitsubishi Grandis and Ford S-MAX large MPVs (1655mm and 1660mm respectively) and Toyota Avensis Wagon (1525mm).

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 will still be offered by special order only, with right-hand drive models manufactured to customer specifications.