Following its launch at the Geneva Show and its market presentation, the Fiat badge can once again count on a big car, the new Croma. Auto & Design runs through how it all began and explains the ins and outs of how its designers reached this new architectural concept, tall and spacious in the rear while offering comfort, roominess and accessibility at the very top of its class.
The first stage saw a Pininfarina idea take the spotlight, with a front that was the subject of a lot of attention from Fiat designers too. In the second stage, which started with a radical global rethink of the model, it was Giugiaro’s design that won the day, not only as a body styling proposal but as a turnkey project for the design as a whole and the development of the engineering.
Developed on a wheelbase of 2700 mm, 4756 mm long, 1775 mm wide and fully 1597 mm tall, the new Croma presents as a big hatchback with side panels enlivened by the wraparound rear wing that links to the lighting cluster. The sloping pillars and roof bars make the overall effect fluid and dynamic, while the front attracts the eye for the balance of its layout, with headlights tapering off at the ends and two ribs that mark the bonnet and converge on a rather classical grille.
The same discreetly classical tone is to be found inside where a spacious, welcoming environment will be greatly appreciated by passengers, not to mention the excellent load features of the car. Lift the tailgate and you find a really efficient solution for the loading surface, which can be positioned on two levels simply by operating a handle on the bottom of the “tub” or flush with the tailgate, so creating a second recess in which to pack away small objects.
The article continues in Auto & Design no. 153
