Fiat Cronos

The Fiat Cronos (Type X6S) is a subcompact car released in February 2018 by the Italian automaker Fiat as a sedan for the Latin American market.^[2]

Overview

The Fiat Cronos is the compact sedan of the Fiat range in the Latin American markets. Unveiled in February 2018 the Cronos was born as a three-box sedan version of the Fiat Argo hatchback from which it takes part of the front platform, the interior and the front doors; altogether about 30% of the components is derived from the Argo while the 70% is specific from the bonnet, front crosspieces, front and rear subframe, bumper, rear axle and skeleton of the body.^[3] During the design phase the car was indicated with the code Type X6S.^[4]

The Cronos was officially announced by the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Sergio Marchionne in April 2016 in which he illustrated an investment plan for or FCA plant in Córdoba, Argentina of 500 million dollars for a production of 100 thousand units at full capacity.^[5] The car, which entered production in February 2018, began to be sold in Brazil and Argentina in the same month. Within the Fiat range in the LATAM markets it replaces three models: the Siena Fire, the Grand Siena and the Linea.

Based on the new MP-S platform (Modular Platform-Sedan) it uses front McPherson suspension with stabilizer bar while at the rear a torsion beam scheme is adopted. The car has been developed by the R&D FCA Brazil center for the South American market only and is not expected to export to Europe where Fiat produces the Tipo, a larger three-box saloon.^[6]

The Cronos is 4,364 meters long, with a wheelbase of 2,521 meters and offers a luggage compartment with a capacity of 525 liters. The interiors inherit the structure of the Argo with UConnect Touch 7" multimedia system. The engine range consists of the new bifuel (petrol/ ethanol) 1.3 16V GSE Firefly inline-four engine capable of delivering 109 horsepower in ethanol power supply and the 1.8 16V E.torQ inline-four engine 139-horsepower. The 1.3 engine is combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a GSR semi-auto (evolution of the Dualogic) always 5-speed, while the 1.8 is combined with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic Aisin AW60T.

References