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Croma Set For Comeback

It looks as if Fiat's largest new model is polishing up well... this is the first official picture of the car that will see the Croma badge make a comeback in 2005.

By Chris Thorp

20th December 2004

With an upright stance on the road, the new five-door merges the attributes of a conventional family hatchback with a people carrier. At the front, large headlamps and an imposing grille set the new Fiat apart from its smaller Stilo sibling, while flared wheelarches add to the chunky look. With a total length of 4.7 metres, the machine is similar in size to the Peugeot 407 SW, so expect plenty of boot space.

Inside, the new Italian will offer seating for five people. The tall roofline means the design team has been able to mount the rear seats higher than those up front. This gives passengers in the back a better view of the road ahead, which will be a popular feature for families with young children.

Sharing its platform with the Vauxhall Signum, the newcomer will get an engine range made up of powerplants taken from Fiat's existing line-up. Models using the Multijet diesels are likely to be the most popular, while both five and six-speed manual transmissions are expected to be available, alongside a five-ratio automatic gearbox.

The car will wear the Croma badge across Europe, although there has been no official confirmation of whether or not the name will reappear on UK models. The moniker has been absent for 11 years, and it would be a brave move for the firm's top brass, as the old model is not fondly remembered.

The newcomer is expected to be seen in the metal for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with right-hand-drive models scheduled to appear in British dealerships before the end of 2005.

Meanwhile, Fiat's future is still under the microscope. Company bosses have met with top executives from General Motors in a bid to discuss the relationship between the American giant and the Turin-based concern's car division. GM currently owns a 10 per cent stake in Fiat, but is reluctant to buy any more, which is what Italian chiefs would like.

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