CARROZZERIA CASTAGNA

11.03.2006 The Castagna Imperial Landaulet has set itself the ambitious target of creating the perfect balance between elegance and sportiness

"Ask us for something unique in the world … No two alike!" This is the Castagna Atelier. "Building splendid custom-built vehicles today, as in the past, starts with a chassis, loaded with anything that you can dream of," say the revived Castagna.

"Daily we transform the most original requests into projects to be created, while the desire for innovation and to find creative solutions becomes our by-word. Today, just as then, a team of designers, craftsmen and creative specialists, led by architect Gioacchino Acampora, allows us to create vehicles made to measure, with all the class and technical expertise that made history. Made for the person who does not simply want a motorcar, but a unique object that reflects his/her lifestyle."

Castagna Imperial Landaulet

Inspired by one of the most famous models invented by Castagna in the Thirties, the Imperial Landaulet is a modern revisitation of a vehicle that has set itself the ambitious target of creating an intelligent mix, the perfect balance between elegance and sportiness.

The bodywork covers the mechanical parts of this four-wheel drive vehicle with adjustable ground clearance and fitted with a dual compression engine with an output of approximately 800hp, it’s a new kind of luxury that allows you to travel anywhere in any kind of weather. The design of the chassis respects the importance of the mechanics and is dedicated to Castagna’s most noteworthy creations that made him become famous in the Crazy Years: the Isotta Fraschini.

Its almost 6 metres of length have been “dressed” in an angular and slightly retro body that is something between a coupé and an MPV.
 

Castagna Imperial Landaulet

Castagna Imperial Landaulet

Castagna Imperial Landaulet

Castagna Imperial Landaulet


It has numerous edges, surfaces and components that allow total customisation and colouration of its plumage. The interior of the passenger cab is easily accessible through the two doors that open like a book and have no central column: a running board appears automatically, acting as a footrest.

The Castagna Imperial Landaulet’s height (163cm) and its ground clearance make access to the vehicle both easy and ergonomic: one does not feel as if one has to “climb” in or out of this vehicle. All items and luggage find a suitable space in the boot compartment, which opens completely thanks to an hydraulic articulation (like Antonov’s front style) and in the (temperature-controlled) central bulkhead compartment located between the engine compartment and the passenger cab. As in the better know period examples, in the Imperial Landaulet the back part of the glassed roof slides backwards, leaving the rear seats open to the elements.

The visually prominent two powerful round dual xenon style front headlights are fully height-adjustable from inside the vehicle and are complemented by innovative LED parking lights, turning indicator lights and the fog lights: just like those at the rear. Both the front and rear bumpers are equipped with dynamic air scoops, in carbon fibre, to properly manage aerodynamic airflow and provide cooling for the components.
 

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After a couple of years spent mainly turning out highly individualised conversions based on the Mini theme, Carrozzeria Castagna will present the new 'Gran Tourer Sport' concept car at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show on 1st March

© 2006 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed