Type Four platform
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| Manufacturer | Fiat Group General Motors |
|---|---|
| Also called | Tipo Quattro Tipo 4 |
| Production | 1984–1998 |
| Class | Executive car platform |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Wheelbase | 2,660–2,670 mm (104.7–105.1 in) |
| Vehicles | Alfa Romeo 164 Fiat Croma Lancia Thema Saab 9000 |
The Type Four chassis was a common front wheel drive platform used in the 1980s and 1990s for the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Alfa Romeo 164. It emerged as an agreement between the four carmakers in October 1978 to reduce development costs. The Fiat and Lancia looked much like the Saab, but the Alfa Romeo only shared the chassis. The wheelbase is 2.67 m (105 inches) on all models. The contemporaneous Peugeot 605 looked very similar to the Alfa Romeo 164 as it was also styled by Pininfarina, but was actually based on a Citroen XM platform.
Because they were very similar, many parts can be exchanged between the four cars regardless of brand. For example, the doors from the Fiat Croma fit directly on the 9000, but are lighter, due to less side impact protection.[citation needed] The windshield from the Croma can also be used on the 9000. Likewise the wing mirrors off both the 9000 and the Thema are almost identical (9000 has a pressed recess on the mirror casing, Thema is without recess) and should fit both cars with the doors being similar albeit in crash structure. Because its platform was shared closely with three other cars, the Saab 9000's ignition key was situated on the steering column instead of between the front seats. Alfa Romeo differs most from other cars, it has for example an exclusive front suspension.
On the 6th episode in the 9th season of the British motoring program Top Gear, James May welds together a Saab 9000 and an Alfa Romeo 164 to make a stretch limousine. He said the two cars should be entirely compatible because they have the same wheelbase and floor pan. It was nicknamed 'Salfa Romeaab'
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