Do you remember the Marea?
11/08/2025
After more than 70 years, it's already possible to forget about a Siata Arnica or a Keller Super Chief. But while searching for cars that celebrated their 30th birthday in 2026, I also came across the Fiat Marea . And although it was less than thirty years ago that it was sold as a new car, I could only remember this model in passing.
The Fiat Marea was launched in 1996 as the successor to the Tempra and Chroma models, but was more compact at 4.39 meters in length (4.49 meters for the Weekend estate), as it was based on the Fiat Bravo/Brava. There were also similarities in design, apart from the rear. This was independent and somewhat unorthodox in terms of rear light integration on the estate.
The Marea was available with engines from 1.6 to 2.4 liters displacement, the petrol engines went up to two liters and 147 hp. Prices started at around DM 30,000 or CHF 26,000.
After testing the five-cylinder 2.0 HLX in 1996, Automobil Revue wrote:
"The Marea is a worthy successor to the Tempra. Design, equipment, technology and manufacturing quality meet high standards, and the available engines leave plenty of scope for individual choice. It remains to be seen whether customers will accept this compact saloon as a replacement for the Croma ."
The Marea was built until 2002, when it was replaced by the Linea and Stilo Multiwagon. Today, at least in this country, you hardly ever see a Marea on the road, but perhaps they will soon turn up at classic car meetings ...
