( Worldcarfans ) - Fiat have given their Croma station wagon a refresh, rationalising its range and styling it to be a segment benchmark. The Nuova Croma boasts an interior deemed as the roomiest in its class, flagship-worthy specification and a range of potent second-generation Multijet engines.
The Nuova Croma is styled to be a more dynamic vehicle consistent with Fiat's more recent design language as featured on the new Punto and Brava hatchbacks. New styling cues include a more poised front end, which gets treatment from a more pronounced bonnet, elongated new front lamps, chrome grille and redesigned bumpers. At the rear, darkened lights and a new bumper design incorporating new skirts give the rear a sporty, but subtle refresh.
The cabin also undergoes a minor nip-tuck, with 'typically Italian refinement' featuring in the Nuova Croma in the form of new cloth or leather seat upholstery. The instrument panel and steering wheel is also treated to a 'richer, more elegant' design. A number of options are available on the new model, with an all-new DVD player, Blue& Me navigation & infotainment system and 'Interscope' hi-fi speaker setup among the boxes on the options list. An arsenal of sensory systems including rain, parking and tyre pressure monitors, as well as cruise control, all aid in reducing the fatigue of driving. Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and electronic stability program systems are fitted as standard on the whole range.
A modular interior set up allows for easy conversion from a cargo space of 500 litres to 1,610 litres, further highlighting the practicalities of Fiat's 'distinguished' wagon.
A range of five drivetrains will be offered in conjunction with a wide choice of transmissions on the Nuova Croma; two petrol and three Multijet turbodiesels ranging from a 140 hp 1.8-litre petrol model to a 200 hp 2.4-litre turbodiesel are mated to gearboxes suitable for each engine. All the diesel models have six-speed gearboxes with sequential gearshift as standard on the 2.4 Multijet and offered optionally on the 1.9-litre diesel. The two petrols come with five-speed transmissions as standard, while the 2.2-litre petrol is also available with the sequential automatic unit.