This Retro Stellantis Van Revival Brings A Forgotten Classic Back To Life

Turning a humble van right into a head-turner takes imaginative and prescient, and a little bit of nostalgia doesn’t harm both. Italian coachbuilder Caselani has proven again and again that utility automobiles can put on classic styling simply in addition to any basic coupe. The corporate’s newest undertaking brings the spirit of the Nineteen Sixties Fiat 616N again to life, this time wrapped round a contemporary Fiat Ducato platform.

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The transformation is greater than skin-deep, with the Ducato’s exterior utterly reimagined to channel the attraction of its mid-century predecessor. The design comes from David Obendorfer, who additionally styled Caselani’s earlier Citroen-inspired retro vans, together with the Jumper, Spacetourer, Berlingo, and Ami.

Nostalgia Meets Utility

Basic cues outline the revamped 616N: spherical headlights and taillights, a vintage-style hood, and curved traces tracing the entrance and rear fenders. These shapes recall the unique Fiat 615 and 616 vans constructed through the Nineteen Fifties and 60s. Whereas the higher physique, roof, and greenhouse stay largely unchanged from the donor Ducato, they combine easily with the redesigned panels. Inside, the format and mechanical foundations are additionally retained from the bottom automobile.

Caselani has launched renderings and a brief video showcasing the primary two builds, which have been configured as campervans. The conversion package received’t be restricted to campers, although. Variants can even embrace vans, field vans, and tow vans, every with its personal tailor-made modifications. Clients can select from 9 single-tone and three two-tone paint finishes, including extra flexibility for personalization.

Caselani

Underneath the hood lies a 2.2-liter Multijet turbodiesel engine that’s out there in three totally different states of tune, producing 120 hp, 140 hp, and 180 hp. For these leaning towards electrification, the all-electric Fiat E-Ducato variant can be more likely to be suitable. That model delivers 268 horsepower via a single motor, backed by a considerable 110 kWh battery pack.

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Whereas the Fiat Ducato is essentially the most becoming possibility for a donor automobile, the package will almost certainly be suitable with its siblings, together with the Citroen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, Opel Movano, Toyota ProAce Max, Iveco Tremendous Jolly, and Ram ProMaster. In spite of everything, the aforementioned vans have an identical underpinnings, inside, and physique panels except the grille and badges.

The Caselani 616N will make its public debut on the Caravan Salon 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany, on August 29. Pricing has not been made public, however the mannequin is already listed on the official web site of the Italian coachbuilder.