Priced to compete directly with conventional saloons and hatchbacks, the new Fiat Croma, which goes on sale in the UK on Saturday 20 August, is Fiat Auto’s new entry into the D-segment.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the new Fiat Croma is designed to blend together the benefits of a saloon car, an estate and an MPV.

Seven versions of the new Croma, priced from £15,745 – £19,345 on-the-road, will be available from launch, embracing three trim levels – Dynamic, Eleganza and Prestigio – and a choice of three Euro IV-compliant engines: an all-aluminium, twin balancer shaft, twin overhead camshaft, 2.2-litre, 147bhp, 16-valve petrol unit, and 120 and 150bhp versions of Fiat Auto’s widely acclaimed 1.9-litre MultiJet turbodiesel.

Later this year, a new, 200bhp, 5-cylinder, 20-valve, 2.4 litre MultiJet turbodiesel version, the most powerful engine in Fiat Auto’s common rail turbodiesel family, will join the range, and at the beginning of next year, a 140bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine option will become available.

Petrol engines are mated to five-speed manual transmissions, with a five-speed, sequential shift automatic gearbox available for the 2.2-litre unit. Both 120 and 150bhp versions of the 1.9-litre MultiJet turbodiesel are fitted with six-speed manual transmissions, with a six-speed sequential shift automatic gearbox available for the 16-valve unit. The powerful, 2.4-litre MultiJet engine is mated to a six-speed, sequential shift automatic gearbox.

The new Fiat Croma’s equipment specification includes ABS, seven airbags, (two more are optional), remote central locking and tailgate release, electric windows throughout, air conditioning, a six-speaker CD player, and alloy wheels fitted as standard across the range.

Safety and comfort options include an electrically operated SkyDome sunroof which covers 1.5m2, increasing the Croma’s total glazed area above the waistline to some 75%, rain and dusk sensors, cruise control, xenon headlamps, rear passenger side airbags, a CD system that can play MP3 files, Fiat’s Connect NAV+ satellite navigation and infotelematics, dual zone climate control, privacy curtains and darkened rear windows.

Fiat Croma pricing:

2.2 16v Dynamic £15,745
1.9 8v MultiJet 120 bhp Dynamic £15,995
2.2 16v Eleganza £16,745
1.9 8v MultiJet 120 bhp Eleganza £16,995
2.2 16v Eleganza Auto £17,745
1.9 16v MultiJet 150 bhp Eleganza £17,995
2.2 16v Prestigio £18,095
1.9 16v MultiJet Eleganza Auto £18,995
2.2 16v Prestigio Auto £19,095
1.9 16v MultiJet 150 bhp Prestigio £19,345
1.9 16v MultiJet Prestigio Auto £20,345