by A Stylish Reincarnation of a Utility Vehicle
If the modern Piaggio Porter seems too utilitarian to you, the Italian atelier Caselani has found a way to give it a dose of vintage charm. The new development is inspired by one of Piaggio’s most recognizable symbols — the three-wheeled Ape.
The kit, called 4PE, was developed by automotive designer David Obendorfer and is installed on the Piaggio Porter NP6 model, which debuted in 2021, as well as on the fully electric NPE version, introduced in 2024.
Although the visual inspiration comes from the humble Ape, the 4PE has four wheels and offers greater practicality, space, and capabilities than its predecessor.
Key Elements of the Transformation
The basis of the transformation is a new front fiberglass compartment that replaces the original bumper and fenders. This part is styled after the curved bodies of Italian utility vehicles from the 1970s. The protruding central section, which once covered the single front wheel on the Ape, now serves as an air intake for cooling.
Additional retro elements include round headlights and orange turn indicators in housings reminiscent of the late ’70s Ape “P” series. These classic details replace the more conventional standard lighting of the Porter, giving the updated vehicle more expressive character.
The rest of the body remains unchanged, which means the 4PE can be ordered in many variants — including vans with a fixed body, dump trucks, food trucks, refrigerators, and other specialized commercial vehicles.
The Technical Base Remains Unchanged
The transformation by Caselani concerns only the exterior. The platform and technical components remain unchanged, based on the architecture of the Chinese Foton Gratour V3.
The mid-mounted 1.5-liter bi-fuel engine develops up to 105 horsepower when running on gasoline, transmitting power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The alternative is a fully electric version with 201 hp and a range of over 250 kilometers in the city cycle.
Retrofitting Options and Availability
Buyers interested in retro-updating their Porter can have the conversion performed either at Caselani’s production site in Italy or through an authorized external contractor. Details regarding prices have not yet been disclosed, but given the level of individual style, a pricing policy corresponding to its boutique appeal can be expected.
Projects like the 4PE from Caselani demonstrate the ongoing demand for emotion and individuality even in the commercial vehicle segment. They combine modern technical reliability and environmental solutions, such as electrification, with aesthetics that evoke warm memories. This is not just tuning, but a way to make a business tool stand out from the crowd, giving it a history and character that can become part of the owner’s brand. This approach is especially relevant for small businesses, where the vehicle is often the company’s calling card.
