2006 Castagna Imperial Landaulet
Inspired by one of the most famous models invented by Castagna in the Thirties, the Imperial Landaulet, this is a modern revisitation of the official vehicle, but now with an elegant sporty appeal.
It hides the mechanical parts of a 4-wheel drive with variable ground clearance and an engine with an output of approximately 800hp. Its almost 6 metres of length have been dressed in an angular and slightly retro body that is something between a coupe and an MPV. It has numerous edges, surfaces and components that allow total customisation and colouration of its plumage.
The design and general architecture are dedicated to Castagna’s most well known creations, which made him famous during the Golden Years: the Isotta Fraschinis. When one gets into a period example of the Imperial Landaulet the back part of the glassed roof slides backwards, leaving the rear seats open to the elements.
Let’s take a look at the interior. 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 vehicle’s height (163cm) and its ground clearance make access to the vehicle both easy and ergonomic: one does not climb in or out of this vehicle.
All items and luggage find a suitable space in the boot compartment, which opens completely thanks to a hydraulic articulation (like the nose of an Antonov cargo plane), and in the central bulkhead compartment located between the engine compartment and the passenger cab (which can be temperature-controlled).
The outside of the vehicle holds yet more surprises. The powerful dual xenon front headlights are height-adjustable from inside the vehicle and are complemented by led parking lights, turning indicator lights and 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.