Carrozzeria Castagna has revealed more details of its new Fiat 500 conversion, dubbed the 500 WoodyWagon, revealing a project that is not just innovative on the outside but under the skin as well.

Carrozzeria Castagna has revealed more details of its new Fiat 500 conversion, dubbed the 500 WoodyWagon, revealing a project that is not just innovative on the outside but under the skin as well.

In stretching the Fiat 500’s basic shape the Milanese firm becomes the first coachbuilder to change the basic dimensions and shape of the acclaimed hatchback’s bodywork. The fundamental changes have increased the rear overhang by around 50-60 mm to improve load space and the C-pillar has been moved back accordingly, with a longer rear side window now prominently featuring.

As ever, since the reborn Castagna bounced back onto the scene just over a decade ago, its products stand out and open up discussion. Drawing heavily on the principles and styling behind its MINI WoodyWagon, the 500 conversion which also receives the WoodyWagon name, boasts the distinct external wood frame arrangement that in the MINI's case harked back to English cars from five decades ago. And it wasn't just models such as the Morris Traveller that received this distinct treatment, the 500 WoodyWagon gloriously reinvents for the present day the 1952 500 C Topolino Belvedere.                          

The MINI project's influences continue with the hinge-down rear lower tailgate which features a robust rear bumper section on the outside and slim wood slats on the inner section (mirrored on the boot floor) which becomes a useful horizontal surface once folded outwards. Meanwhile the tailgate's glass window section folds upwards and the roof has been entirely replaced with enveloping glass sections. New twin rear round light units stacked vertically are clothed in a wooden bezels, the feature blending into the distinctive wooden frame.

Under the skin Castagna promise changes that are equally as dramatic as on the outside. The "Passione Corsa" supercharging kit, already commercialised and available to 500 owners, boosts power of the 100 bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine to 156 bhp, packing a serious punch for the WoodyWagon which is heavier than the standard Fiat version. All these changes add up to a cool 63,000 euros with Castagna demanding a four month order time.
                                                    
Meanwhile Castagna is pressing ahead with even more fundamental changes ,and a hybrid option is being developed. With the additional space created by the extended chassis, Castagna will be able to package the bulky components associated with a hybrid drive powered vehicle in an optimum manner under the rear floor. And the technology isn't stopping there as they reveal that a four wheel drive system will soon be offered, using components from the Panda 4x4 on whose architecture the 500 rides.