
BLENDING ESTATE, HATCHBACK AND MPV practicality in one stylish model, the New Fiat Croma will offer innovation and a highly attractive alternative in the upper medium sector when it goes on sale this summer.
The New Croma surprised and delighted top fleet managers and industry analysts at driving exercises prior to its Geneva Motor Show world premier. Build quality, ride, styling and interior space have impressed in equal measure those who have had a preview.
CAP Motor Research national research manager, Martin Ward, says: “The New Croma looks good. The build quality is excellent, both on the exterior and interior. It is a big, tall car with lots of clever features and a strong engine range. New Croma is Fiat’s best effort yet.”
Glass’s Guide forecasting editor, Jason King, also homed in on the New Croma’s construction. “The build quality is by far the best I have seen in a Fiat. It was also a fantastically comfortable ride, ideal for the high mileage business user.”
Norman Livingstone, managing director of Patons, agrees. “The new car is a delight. I love the way it drives and I love the styling. The New Croma feels, and is, a very solid and robust car,” he says.
Practicality
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the New Croma’s dimensions – 4.75m long by 1.77m wide and 1.6m high – give it class-leading interior space.
The flat floor offers superb access to interior space comparable with that of a large MPV; the facia-mounted gearlever, high driving position and big glass areas add to practical appeal.
Equipment levels will be generous: state of the art sophistication includes xenon headlights, up to nine airbags, CONNECT Nav+, a six-speaker hi-fi with CD and MP3 options and cruise control as part of the New Croma package. One of several smart features is a modular luggage system that can be configured to provide a flat floor plus hidden storage compartments.
Of the three trim levels, each will come with different fabrics and leather upholstery options along with opportunities to customise the interior and exterior for individual requirements and tastes.
Drivetrains
Petrol models | Power (bhp) | Transmission | ||
1.8 16v | 130 | man | ||
2.2 16v | 150 | man/auto | ||
Diesel models | Power (bhp) | Transmission | ||
1.9 JTD | 120 (Euro IV) | man | ||
1.9 JTD | 150 (Euro IV) | man/auto | ||
2.4 JTD | 200 (Euro IV) | auto | ||
What the experts say...
“The build quality is by far the best I have ever seen in a Fiat.”
“A fantastically comfortable ride and ideal for the high-mileage business user.”
Jason King – Forecasting Editor, Glass`s Guide
“Croma looks good! Despite being a very early pre-production car, the build quality was good, both exterior and interior. I particularly liked the layout of the controls, positioning of gearstick and ease of use.”
Martin Ward – National Research Manager, CAP
“The new car was a delight! I loved the way it drove and the styling. The Croma feels and is a very solid and robust car.”
Norman Livingstone – Managing Director, Patons
Multipla Dynamic 1.9JTD
With predicted RVs among the best in class and operating costs among the lowest, plus the advantage of six seats, the recently restyled Multipla Dynamic 1.9 JTD is one of the most cost-effective and practical models in its sector. And with Multipla prices from just £13,295 for the Dynamic 1.6, few competitors offer so much for so little.
Operating cost and RV comparisons
Model | OTR | Comb mpg | CAP RV (£/%) | PPM (p/mile)* | CO2/tax band (g/km/%) | BIK tax (05/06) (£) | ||||||||
22% | 40% | |||||||||||||
Multipla Dynamic 1.9 JTD | 14,495 | 44.1 | 5,375/38 | 24.94 | 170/24 | 755 | 1,373 | |||||||
Scenic Dynamique 1.9dCi 100 | 14,970 | 55.4 | 4,800/32 | 24.28 | 135/18 | 587 | 1,067 | |||||||
Touran S 1.9 TDI 90 | 15,545 | 47.1 | 6,225/40 | 24.62 | 162/19 | 643 | 1,168 | |||||||
Zafira Life 2.0 DTi | 16,350 | 44.8 | 5,100/32 | 27.84 | 169/23 | 790 | 1,437 | |||||||
Corolla Verso 2.0 D-4D T2 | 15,995 | 45.6 | 6,300/40 | 25.81 | 165/23 | 775 | 1,409 | |||||||
Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCi LX 90 | 14,990 | 58.9 | 5,125/35 | 23.58 | 127/15 | 490 | 890 | |||||||
*RV, pence per mile and SMR figures over three years/60,000 miles. Source: CAP Monitor, March 2005
Fiat MPVs offer practicality with style for everyone
User-choosers looking for a stylish, versatile MPV need look no further than Fiat for one of the broadest ranges on the market. Fiat’s award-winning range includes the Idea, Doblò and Ulysse as well as the restyled Multipla, and all offer multi-seat capability as standard together with outstanding versatility and practicality.
And with prices starting from just £9,095 on the road for the 1.2-litre petrol Doblô Active, Fiat offers one of the lowest entry points to truly practical motoring.
Fiat Idea: Compact space
Stylish looks and ingenious packaging give the innovative Fiat Idea a clear advantage in the mini-MPV class. Based on the Fiat Punto platform, the cabin offers cavernous space with generous headroom and legroom for five adults. Three trim levels – Active, Dynamic and Eleganza – plus a 1.4 16v 95bhp petrol or the highly acclaimed 70bhp 1.3 MultiJet common rail diesel offer brisk performance, with economy of up to 55.4mpg for the diesel. Prices start at just £9,995 on the road for the Active 1.4 16v.
Fiat Idea Active 1.3 MultiJet 5dr
On the road price (£): 10,895
P11D price (£): 10,742
VED liability (Band/£): C/115
CO2 emissions (g/km): 135
CAP Monitor RV (£/%)*: 3,350/31
Cost/mile (pence per mile)*: 20.28
BIK tax 2005/6 (22%/40%): 425/773
Fiat Doblò: Practical space
Massive practicality for up to seven adults and luggage – that’s the Fiat Doblò. With its sliding rear side doors and elevated seating, the Doblò offers practical and chic family motoring from just £9,095 OTR. There are three engines, a zesty 65bhp 1.2 petrol and two diesels – a 105bhp 1.9 JTD and the 70bhp 1.3 MultiJet. With BIK liability from under £32 a month for a 22% tax payer, the Doblò offers family motoring at truly budget cost. There’s also now the option of up to seven seats in the 1.3 MultiJet and 1.9 JTD Family models – unique in the class.
Fiat Doblò Family 1.3 MultiJet 5dr 7 seats
On the road price (£): 10,595
P11D price (£): 10,422
VED liability (Band/£): D/135
CO2 emissions (g/km): 152
CAP Monitor RV (£/%)*: 3,275/31
Cost/mile (pence per mile)*: 20.65
BIK tax 2005/6 (22%/40%): 459/834
Fiat Multipla: The stylish MPV with six appeal
Armed with a smart new look that makes it an unmistakeable part of the wide-ranging family of Fiat MPVs, the Multipla sets new standards in its sector.
Retaining its predecessor’s unique 3+3 seating arrangement with bags of luggage space behind, the new Multipla leads the way for practicality and versatility with individual style. There are improvements in every area, from interior space to safety, from choice of trim to value for money. The car that dared to bring character into the MPV market now looks even more appealing than ever.
Fiat Multipla Dynamic 1.9 JTD
On the road price (£): 14,495
P11D price (£): 14,302
VED liability (Band/£): E/160
CO2 emissions (g/km): 170
CAP Monitor RV (£/%)*: 5,375/38
Cost/mile (pence per mile)*: 24.94
BIK tax 2005/6 (22%/40%): 755/1,373
Fiat Ulysse: Executive space
With its five-star Euro NCAP rating and seating for up to eight, there is no safer way of transporting your family. The Fiat Ulysse is a true executive express, available with a choice of three engines – 2.0 16v petrol, 2.0 JTD 16v and 2.2 JTD 16v – and Dynamic, Eleganza and Prestigio trim levels. Automatic transmission is available for both diesel and petrol models. The rear seats can be folded, tilted or removed altogether. And with power operation of the sliding side doors, it offers unrivalled security and safety when carrying children.
Fiat Ulysse Dynamic 2.0 JTD
On the road price (£): 18,995
P11D price (£) :18,792
VED liability (Band/£): F/170
CO2 emissions (g/km): 186
CAP Monitor RV (£/%)*: 6,450/34
Cost/mile (pence per mile)*: 31.31
BIK tax 2005/6 (22%/40%) 1,116/2,030
For further details of any model in the Fiat range, please call the Fiat Business Club on 0808 100 1075, or visit www.fiat.co.uk/businessuser.
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