Forgotten Concepts: The Audi Karmann Asso di Picche (1973) – A Design Legacy That Never Hit the Production Line

Neglected Concepts: Audi Karmann Asso di Picche (1973)

This coupe, based on the Audi 80 of its time, never entered mass production but served as a source of inspiration.

In 1973, Italdesign, in partnership with coachbuilder Karmann and Audi, unveiled the Asso di Picche (translated as Ace of Spades) at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. The highly angular design was crafted by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro himself.

This text discusses a prototype for a sporty coupe, which is built on the chassis and mechanics of the original Audi 80. Its design also draws inspiration from earlier concepts by the same Italian design firm, specifically the Alfa Romeo Caimano and the Maserati Boomerang.

The objective was to develop a legendary vehicle ready for mass production, but it never came to fruition and remained just a concept that influenced future models. Let’s take a look at its design.

Ein besonderes Fahrzeug

Das Asso di Picche, gestaltet von Giorgetto Giugiaro und Italdesign, war das erste von drei Konzeptfahrzeugen, die das italienische Designstudio in Zusammenarbeit mit Karmann für drei verschiedene Automobilhersteller entwickelte.

The model, as anticipated, was constructed using the previously mentioned Audi 80 as a foundation. It featured a longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a solid rear axle. However, it was designed with a shortened rear and an extended front in a three-box configuration, giving it a notably sleek appearance characteristic of coupes from that era.

Italdesign Ace of Spades (1973)

As is characteristic for Audi, the design choice included round double headlights paired with horizontal red rectangular taillights. Additionally, a distinctive air intake on the front hood was incorporated to ensure the engine receives maximum fresh air, thereby optimizing operational efficiency.

Innovatives Interieur

Bei der Automobilausstellung in Frankfurt im Jahr 1973 stach ein Fahrzeug besonders durch sein Innenraumdesign hervor. Das Interieur zeichnete sich durch moderne Linienführung aus und verfügte über eine horizontale, zylindrische Mittelkonsole mit digitalen Anzeigen. Die Lederpolsterung, die auch die Seitentaschen umfasste, verlieh dem Ganzen einen luxuriösen Touch.

Italdesign Asso di Picche (1973), the interior design

Despite the modest success of the presentation, Audi decided to halt the Asso di Picche development project after a few months. The company chose to redirect its investments toward vehicles that promised greater profits and sales, such as the Audi 100 C2. Nevertheless, certain design elements from the Asso di Picche can still be seen in the 1980 Audi quattro.

The Volkswagen group management was aware that both the VW Scirocco and the later Porsche 924 were already well-developed. Another sports car? There was no chance of that happening at the moment, especially given the company's precarious financial situation at the time.

Additional Overlooked Research:

Italdesign and Giugiaro kept the Asso di Picche design concept on hold. However, certain features from it were incorporated into other models, such as the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupé Concept, the first Volkswagen Scirocco from the same year, and the Lotus Esprit starting in 1976.

Italdesign Ace of Spades in Motion

In October 2023, to mark the 50th anniversary of this unique prototype, Italdesign unveiled a new digital and electric concept featuring more contemporary designs, yet still inspired by the original project, named Asso di Picche In Movimento.

Image Gallery: Photograph – Italdesign Asso di Picche (1973)

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