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Fiat Croma
Models: 1600, 2000 CHT, 2000 i.e., 2000 Turbo i.e., 2500 D, 2500 Turbo D, inline four-cylinder, 1585 cm3 (84,0 mm * 71,5 mm), 1995 cm3 (84,0 mm * 90,0 mm),
1995 cm3 (84,0 mm * 90,0 mm), 1995 cm3 (84,0 mm * 90,0 mm), 2500 cm3 (93,0 mm * 92,0 mm), 2500 cm3 (93,0 mm * 92,0 mm),
compression ratio, 9,8 : 1 (petrol), 9,5 : 1 (petrol), 9,8 : 1 (petrol), 8,0 : 1 (petrol), 22,0 : 1 (diesel), 22,0 : 1 (diesel), engine control OHC, 2V, dohc, dohc, dohc, OHC, 2V, OHC, 2V, toothed belt,
dual carburetor, dual carburetor, gasoline injection, gasoline injection,
pre-chamber injection, pre-chamber injection, 128 Nm at 2800 rpm, 169 Nm at 2800 rpm, 167 Nm at 3300 rpm, 235 Nm at 2350 rpm, 235 Nm at 2350 rpm, 172 Nm at 2200 rpm, 217 Nm at 2300 rpm, 61 kW
(83 HP) at 5600 rpm, 66 kW (90 HP) at 5500 rpm, 88 kW (120 HP) at 5250 rpm, 114 kW (155 HP) at 5250 rpm, 55 kW (75 HP) at 4200 rpm, 74 kW (101 HP) at 4100 rpm, engine, transversal with front drive, 5-speed, 5-
speed, 5-speed, 3-automatic, 5-speed, 5-speed, wheelbase 2660 mm, suspension f/r, McPherson, longitudinal/transverse arm, rack and pinion steering, servo, brakes f/r, disks, ventilated (Turbo),
wheels, 185/65 R 14 up to 205/50 R 15, tank capacity, 70 liters, length 4.495 mm, width 1.736 mm, height 1.430 mm, drag coefficient, 0,32, load volume, 400 - 900 litres, kerb weight 1.090-1370 kg incl. driver,
top speed, 170 km/h, 180 km/h, 192/188* km/h, 211/205* km/h, 165 km/h, 185 km/h, 450.000 produced 1985 - 1995, *Automatic.
The Chroma was developed with Alfa and Lancia, brands that later became part of the Fiat Group, and a joint venture with Lancia. This resulted in a high degree of similarity, particularly with Lancia and Saab. Alfa followed
its own path with regard to the bodywork.
The first Fiat Chroma should have become famous because, starting in 1987, it was the first passenger car to feature direct diesel injection, which had been developed in collaboration with the subsidiary Magneti Marelli.
The 2 liters engine had 68 kW (92 hp) after all.
Unfortunately, it was initially only offered on the Italian market because there were fears of teething problems. Audi was thus able to establish itself as the first manufacturer of direct-injection passenger car engines,
and Fiat's engineering achievement was somewhat forgotten.
It is described as particularly well designed with more than enough space inside and in the luggage compartment. There was sufficient power available for long distances. Consequently, the brochure showed a piece of
fabric right next to the power and torque curve.
It was, after all, an interesting car, balancing on the fine line between conservative sedan and hatchback. This refers to a clearly attached rear end, but with a large tailgate.
| Body from Giorgio Giugiaro (Italdesign). |
It still belonged to the old guard, where not only the seat backs could be folded down in some way, but the seat itself was also treated in the same way, creating a really fairly flat surface.
According to this was the amount of space for the rear passengers. In Germany at that time, people looking for space in a car were already beginning to reject many models that did not look like station wagons, without
checking factors such as air resistance, which was quite good here for the time.
This was complemented by the 60:40 split rear seat bench and the tailgate opening as wide as possible, while still allowing the rear lights to remain visible. What didn't fit, but was added often, was a sporty engine.
Heavy loads and high engine power requirements do not necessarily have to go hand in hand. Fiat naturally justified the advanced engine technology as family-friendly with significantly reduced fuel consumption
No, you didn't have to deal with particularly striking colors in the interior of an Italian family car. On the contrary, you was embraced by velour that looked rather cozy and had a tasteful striped pattern. Only the headrests
seemed out of place, borrowed from the Halloween arsenal.
The dashboard also deliberately did not fit in harmoniously. It has retained its pronounced angularity from the early days of the Fiat Ritmo and insists on it even in this comfortable environment. And all this with the
appropriate equipment and 88 kW (120 hp) for acceleration to 100 km/h in just under 10 seconds.
The headlight wipers/washers were a striking feature on the outside, while on the inside, the electrically operated glass roof and the standard radio, which is not only labeled "stereo" but also "digital," are noteworthy. The
central locking system also included the rear door and fuel filler flap.
There are numerous references to electronic fuel injection, but now we will gradually turn our attention to the turbo version with intercooler and performance figures that were impressive for their time. In addition to the
standard ABS, internally ventilated brake discs were also fitted at the front.
The interior took things up a notch with bucket seats that are electrically adjustable and heated, covered in luxurious velvet corduroy. Compared to today, the steering wheel was still very simple back then, but it provided a
view of so many readings that the speedometer next to the central tachometer almost got overlooked.
Diesel engines were very important, not the ones mentioned above, but the direct-injection engines with turbochargers and intercoolers that appeared two years after the start of series production. They delivered approx.
200 Nm at 2000 rpm and 68 kW (92 hp), even though they only had a displacement of 2 liters instead of 2.5 liters.
The poor result of the crash test shown in the video above has greatly damaged the Croma's reputation, but has since been strongly questioned. Wikipedia states: 'In the case of the Fiat Croma, a dubious vehicle from pre-
series production is said to have been used. Whether this was due to malicious intent on the part of the German testers or sloppiness on the part of Fiat, who provided the vehicle, remains unclear.'
The Chroma 2 was developed during the collaboration with GM, i.e. Opel and Saab. This gave it Opel gasoline engines and the ignition lock in the center console typical of Saab. There were two gasoline engines with
103/108 kW (140/147 hp) and two diesel engines with 88/147 kW (120/200 hp).
It was 26 cm longer and significantly flatter, with only a slightly increased wheelbase. This time, the crash tests were successful and the car received 5 stars. The front end from 2008 onwards was somewhat reminiscent
of that of the Fiat Bravo. Even with the Chroma 1, there was persistent murmuring that it did not quite match the quality Fiat was known for. With Chroma 2, it was much more related to the electronics.
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