In Geneva next week Fiat will present the New Croma, an advanced station wagon due to go on sale this summer.

The new Fiat, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and produced in the Cassino plant, borrows its name from the historical model that became a benchmark for medium-high range saloons from 1985 to 1994 and sold more than 450,000 units. Then, as now, the New Croma is defined by the substantial nature of the concepts it expresses: great roominess, technological innovation in the diesel power unit field and quality.

The originality of the New Croma lies in its elegant, distinctive style that appeals due to smooth, simple, pure lines that allow this, the roomiest car in its segment, to remain dynamic and well-proportioned. The Croma, created by Giugaro's pencil, conveys a new way of experiencing the car, on an aesthetic level. The Croma has been created to respond to the needs of European society in which the trend of the moment is leading new families to pay more attention to the substance of things and, therefore, to look for safety and reliability in a product: and everything at accessible prices.

The car is available with one body only and conveys a sensation of solidity, sturdiness and roominess. The impression is borne out by the dimensions: it is 475 centimetres long, 177 cm wide and 160 cm high with a wheelbase of 2 metres and 70 centimetres. All these figures add up to extraordinary interior roominess. To sum up, the length and width of the New Croma are in line with the competition but it is about 10 cm higher while the interior dimensions are bigger than average for the segment.

Not to mention the fact that the New Croma’s innovative structure and smart features offer several benefits that set it at the top of its segment in certain areas. The access is great, for example, due to the flat floor and raised H points at front and rear. The interior space is comparable to that offered by an MPV. This is evident in the gearlever in the centre of the facia, the large amount of space between the rows of seats (the best in its category) and the high driving position that ensures better control of the road and improved exterior visibility.

Altogether, the New Croma is a car created to meet people with different needs, tastes and lifestyles, who all have something in common: the desire for a good-looking, comfortable car. For those who seek outstanding performance, the Croma offers a powerful 200 bhp 2.4 Multijet engine (combined with a 6-speed automatic sequential gearbox) that sets the car at the top of its category in terms of its specific power rating: 83 bhp/litre.

The New Croma looks good outside and boasts an unequalled amount of interior space. Like the exterior, the passenger compartment is an exquisite example of Fiat style and practicality. The passenger compartment interior lines are harmonious and balance well with the exterior shape. Together with the oceans of glass, they create a bright environment and a perception of outstanding interior roominess.

The New Croma assures a welcoming, well-lit environment that offers much more comfort than you would expect from a conventional station wagon in terms of space available to the driver and passengers. Suffice it to say that anyone can find their ideal driving position (the model meets the needs of 99% of the population) with the numerous seat settings (electric adjustment is an option).

Comfort is also assured by the numerous interior customisation alternatives: both seats are height-adjustable; the outstanding steering wheel, pedal and gearbox positions are designed for maximum control; the instruments are practical, accurate and easy to read; the multifunction display provides access to various menus (with submenus) that speak the motorist's language and offer a host of functions plus a trip computer; a climate control system that is bilevel for temperature and distribution makes a significant contribution to on-board well-being. Lastly, a radio with CD player (and an MP3 player as an option) offers an excellent sound system tailored to the vehicle and complete with six speakers.

New products include large door mirrors with aspherical mirrors that ensure outstanding visibility or an innovative modular luggage system that allows you to choose the best solution for your needs at all times: one position allows you a flat floor plus a hidden space for your treasures (laptop, briefcase etc.); the second position allows you to make the most of the entire load volume.

All the ingredients are in place for repeating the sales success of the previous model. The New Croma is sticking to the same winning approach as last time: listening to customers and allowing the product to grow in accordance with their wishes. The New Croma has complied with the first and most important requirement that any customer expresses when first buying a car because it offers value first and foremost. This is evident in a broad and diverse range that can be obtained by combining three specifications, five engines and the same number of gearboxes.

First and foremost, the New Croma offers the greatest freedom of choice and customisation with three sophisticated specifications, all in exclusive materials specially designed to create the ideal environment for your requirements. Each specification comes with different fabric trims and two shades (grey or beige). Customers can choose leather upholstery as an option (grey or beige).

You can choose your New Croma from all these versions. All represent good value for money and, above all, are heirs to an automotive concept that Fiat has helped significantly to create and develop: large saloons with stylish, practical looks.

The New Croma range also offers the best in terms of power units, safety features and suspension systems. For example, all engines meet stage 4 EEC emission limits while the diesels are fitted as standard with particulate filter (DPF): two petrol (136 bhp 1.8 16v and 147 bhp 2.2 16v) and three turbodiesels (120 or 150 bhp 1.9 Multijet and the brand new 200 bhp 2.4 Multijet). The New Croma can be fitted with no fewer than 5 types of gearbox to exploit the performance of its new engines to the full: in brief, all the petrol engines come with a 5 speed gearbox with an option to fit an automatic sequential gearbox on the 2.2 16v. All the diesel engines come with 6-speed gearboxes with an automatic sequential gearbox as an alternative to the manual unit on the 150 bhp 1.9 Multijet and as the only choice on the powerful 200 bhp 2.4 Multijet 20v.

The Croma offers very high quality standards that are implemented from the initial design stages. During the various stages of research, prototypes cover more than 3 million kilometres to test out the car over all types of route and under all weather conditions.

The Cassino plant manufacturing process was tested before the normal development stages so that process checks could be carried out directly on the plant production lines. The quality control checks, already stringent, were taken a stage further by introducing a 100 km test route for 100% of pre-production cars.

The most sophisticated devices currently on the market allow maximum protection for driver and passengers. This is what the New Croma promises (and delivers). In the preventive safety field, for example, the new model offers xenon headlights while its active safety complement includes VDC with Hill-Holder for total control of dynamic stability under all conditions. The New Croma caters for passive safety with up to nine airbags (seven are always fitted as standard) and seat-belts with pretensioner and load limiter. Three-point seat-belts are fitted at the rear, even on the middle seat.