Italdesign Aztec: A Space-Age Sports Car Ahead of Its Time

Futuristic Rarity - For a brief moment, let’s turn the clock back to the vibrant and experimental era of the late 1980s — a time when imagination seemed limitless, and car design took daring leaps into the unknown. Amid the rise of turbocharged engines and futuristic aesthetics, one Italian design house decided to mark its 20th anniversary with something utterly bold. That creation was the Italdesign Aztec — a sports car that looked more like a sci-fi prototype than a production vehicle, and yet, it was very real.

The Italdesign Aztec designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced for the first time at the Turin Motor Show 1988 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the famous Italian coachbuilder. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

The Italdesign Aztec was born under the creative vision of Giorgetto Giugiaro, a name already legendary in the world of automotive design. First unveiled at the 1988 Turin Motor Show, this car wasn't just meant to be admired — it was a celebration of Italdesign's two decades of innovation. Giugiaro didn’t just sketch a fast car; he imagined an experience, merging futuristic flair with unconventional practicality in a way few had dared to try.

The Italdesign Aztec is equipped with two unique seats because the driver and passenger are placed separately, thus both need to communicate electronically. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Right from the first glance, the Aztec’s form challenges expectations. Its body shape resembles a speedster, yet it features a strange and captivating two-seat layout where the driver and passenger are split by a divider, each sitting in their own cockpit. Communication between the two? Not by voice or gesture — but electronically. It was a radical design decision that set the tone for the rest of the vehicle.

The Italdesign Aztec is powered by an Audi 2,226 cc five-cylinder DOHC turbocharged engine mated to a 4-wheel-drive system that comes from the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

The gullwing-style canopies add another level of drama, with a partially removable top that gives the car an almost spacecraft-like vibe. It’s no surprise, then, that space-age inspiration seems to have played a major role in its creation. And while the Aztec’s exterior is certainly daring, the tech underneath the aluminum skin is just as intriguing.

 

Under the hood, the Aztec is powered by a turbocharged 2,226 cc inline-five engine sourced from Audi. Despite the “250 HP” badge on its side, the engine actually produces around 200 PS (or 197 hp), paired with a 4WD system borrowed from the legendary Lancia Delta HF Integrale. The combination offers both spirited performance and precise handling — though, clearly, outright speed wasn't the only priority. The Aztec was about futuristic vision and mechanical curiosity.

The Italdesign Aztec combines the speedster body style with a partially removable protective part in the arrangement of the gullwing-styled doors. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Technology touches every corner of this car. Along the rear aluminum body panels are control units, where owners could input codes to activate or monitor various features. With voice command functionality — decades before it became common — the Aztec allowed access to its pop-up headlights, onboard compressor, hydraulic jack, and even a fire extinguisher. All of this, in 1988.

 

Inside, the cabin tells a story of luxury and complexity. High-quality leather wraps the seats and surfaces, while an unusual set of instruments for the passenger mirrors the design of a steering wheel. These weren't just for show — they allowed access to real-time vehicle data, suspension adjustments, and even time settings, further enhancing the cockpit’s immersive feel.

The Italdesign Aztec has a very futuristic style gesture with many future features including some of them can be accessed via voice. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

But perhaps most forward-thinking of all was the inclusion of satellite navigation — mounted in the center of the dashboard, leaning toward the driver. At a time when GPS in cars was almost unheard of, this was a bold step that placed the Aztec firmly ahead of its time. The design cues didn’t stop there; from Le Mans-inspired glass wings to the sculpted carbon-fiber rear wing and integrated roll-bar for added safety, the Aztec blended motorsport aesthetics with futuristic ambition.

 

Though it was meant to be a limited-run vehicle, the Aztec became even more exclusive than originally planned. Italdesign intended to produce 50 units, but only around 18 were ever completed, with some sources suggesting the final count was even lower. Its rarity has only added to its mystique.

The Italdesign Aztec's big-sized rear wing is optimized for downforce and also the roll-bar for driver and passenger safety. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Adding to its pop culture footprint, the Italdesign Aztec also made an appearance on the silver screen. In the 1990 science fiction horror film Frankenstein Unbound, the car starred as a high-tech, computer-controlled vehicle piloted by the lead character, Dr. Joe Buchanan — a fitting role for such a futuristic machine. 

Decades later, the Italdesign Aztec still looks like something from tomorrow. It wasn’t just a car — it was a statement, a concept brought to life, a snapshot of what the future looked like through the eyes of 1980s design pioneers. And while it never saw mainstream roads in large numbers, its impact remains quietly profound — a rolling time capsule of wild imagination and fearless innovation. *** [EKA [08072020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]

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