After a 9-year absence (production ceased in 1996 and NOT in 1994 as the Fiat press file mentions it) on the executive car market, the Fiat Croma is back. Of course, the new one has nothing in common with its ancestor, which shared its platform with the Lancia Thema, the Saab 9000 and the Alfa Romeo 164. The new Croma shares 30% of its components with the Vauxhall Cavalier, thanks for the now dead Fiat-GM alliance. It takes up the Vauxhall’s platform, suspension (multilink at the rear) and electro-hydraulic steering.
Is it a sedan? Is it an estate? In fact, it’s both. The Giugiaro designed new family Fiat is bigger than what one would imagine when looking at the photos. Actually, its proportions are unusual in this segment for the new Croma has a particular architecture, meant to associate the advantages of an estate with those of a sedan. So, if its length (475cm) and its width (177cm) are commonplace, its height (160cm) is 10 cm above that of its rivals.
All this results in a particular tall car, combining bulging wheel arches and smooth curves. Yet, if it gives a sense of solidity, the front end looks a little dull.
You’d expect the cockpit to benefit from these dimensions. Bingo! The accommodation is really impressive, especially as the seats were raised by 10cm.
Once again, Fiat betrays its reputation of poor quality: the finish of this cockpit could serve as an example to such cars as the 407, the Laguna or the Mondeo.
Besides, the driving position is excellent, with a raised gear lever.
Nevertheless, versatility could have been better: the rear bench splits and folds, but will neither slide nor recline.
The capacity of the boot varies from 500 to 1610 liters, which is an excellent value.
Once on the road, the Croma II reveals other qualities: silence, comfort and safety. Its vibration free 150bhp 1.9 JTD engine performs very well, confirming its excellent reputation.
Yet, to provide such a good ride, the suspension has been softened too much and fails at providing a good body roll control. Its does not affect the road holding though.
5 engines are available: 2 petrol and 3 Multijet diesel units. If the first 2 (1.8 130bhp and 2.2 147bhp) are provided by GM, the last 3 are made by Fiat. These are the famous 1.9-liter 4 or 2.4-liter 5 in line Pratolla Serra blocks. The 1.9 gives either 120 or 150bhp while the 2.4 gives 200bhp. The latter is necessarily coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission (also available on the 2.2) while the former 2 receive a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 5-speed manual one is reserved to the 1.8.
Standard equipment includes 7 airbags, ABS brakes, an ESP system, a hill-holder device, an HBA brake assistance amplifier, an air conditioner and 4 power windows on all models.
There’s a choice of five outfits: Active, Dynamic, Dynamic Skyline, Emotion and Emotion Skyline. The GPS, telephone, rear parking sensors, DVD player, panoramic roof, leather upholstery or automatic climate control can be either standard or optional.
Fiat remains faithful to one of its traditions at least: value for money. The new Croma will be 10% cheaper than its rivals.
Yes, this car offers a tremendous value indeed, having no perticular drawback. But will the low prices help Fiat fight against its poor reputation?
Toyota has adapted its hybrid technology to the Lexus RX400, which thus becomes the RX400h, a ‘clean’ SUV. Under the bonnet, two engines take place now, a 3.3-litre petrol V6 developing 211bhp and a 167bhp electric unit. But the Japanese engineers thought this was not enough, so, another electric unit (67bhp) is to be found at the rear of the R400h! Yet, the maximum available power amounts to 272bhp.
