Carrozzeria Castagna will be in Geneva with an array of new products, with the Milanese atelier’s line-up led out by a stretched version of the Fiat 500, making it the first coachbuilder to change the basic dimensions and shape of the acclaimed hatchback’s bodywork.

Carrozzeria Castagna will be in Geneva next week with an array of new products, with the Milanese atelier’s line-up led out by a stretched version of the Fiat 500, making it the first coachbuilder to change the basic dimensions and shape of the acclaimed hatchback’s bodywork.

Castagna has already been quick to offer a mix of styling and tuning upgrades to the new Fiat 500 but it has now expanded its repertoire as far as the little car is concerned. This new conversion, dubbed the ‘WoodyWagon’, builds on the experience the reborn firm has gained from a slew of MINI options it has developed over the last few years.

However, the 500 WoodyWagon goes a step further than the raft of 500-based products that have been rolled out onto the market by Europe’s leading design and tuning firms ever since the little car was launched last July, as Castagna has stretched its dimensions to present a first look at an ‘estate’ version.  In carrying out this project, Castagna have created a new interpretation that offers real clues as to how to the estate version that Fiat plan for the 500 in 2010, which is to revive the famous Giardiniera name, might look.

Underneath Castagna’s wood trim additions, the 500 WoodyWagon clearly demonstrates that the award-winning car will be able to easily lend itself to niche looks, including the official estate version which is planned for around 2010. The Milanese firm has 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.

The structural changes wrought to the 500 by Castagna have been outwardly clothed in the atelier’s distinct design cues, including the external wood frames which were made famous by the 1952 Morris Minor Traveller (although in the latter’s case these were structural additions). At the rear Castagna have converted the 500’s light clusters into two round vertically stacked units, similar in style to the Panda SUV, which are recessed into a wood panel, while a large, jutting low tailgate/bumper section, reminiscent of much bigger estate cars, also features.

Under the skin the 500 WoodyWagon is expected be offered with the option of Castagna’s supercharger upgrade, which the coachbuilder has already commercialised on its 500 versions. With 0.4 bar of boost, it raises the power output of the 500’s 1.4-litre engine from a factory standard of 100 CV up to 155 CV, while peak torque climbs to 170 Nm and top speed is claimed to be in excess of 200 km/h.

Castagna will also show two other models at the 78th Geneva Motor Show next week, the Rolls-Royce Coupé Royale concept and the Woody Passion Kit for the MINI Clubman. In the case of its upgrade to the huge Rolls-Royce Phantom, the bonnet, boot, roof, A- and C-pillar sections have all been realised in polished carbon fibre, along with new alloy wheels. Castagna say that the Phantom’s V12 engine has been tuned to offer over 600 CV. The Passion Kit for the MINI Clubman features the usual external wood trims, this time though in a highly contrasting light/dark wood grain effect.