Audi Asso di Picche Concept Car: Giugiaro’s Aerodynamic Wedge Icon

Angular Legacy - The 1970s marked a moment when car design was allowed to dream out loud. Sharp lines replaced curves, experiments were encouraged, and visual drama often mattered more than restraint. In that restless creative climate, a quiet but radical idea emerged—one that didn’t just aim to look futuristic, but to rethink efficiency through form. That idea materialized as the Audi Asso di Picche Concept, a car that stood apart not by excess, but by intention. 

The Audi Asso di Picche Concept was born from a collaboration between German coachbuilder Karmann and Italy’s ItalDesign, rooted in the Audi 80, a model already respected for its balanced engineering. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Born from a collaboration between German coachbuilder Karmann and Italy’s ItalDesign, the Asso di Picche was rooted in the Audi 80, a model already respected for its balanced engineering. The name itself—Italian for “Ace of Spades”—hinted at confidence rather than flamboyance. Conceived as a sporty two-door, four-seat coupe, the project focused on aerodynamics and proportion at a time when such considerations were still secondary for most manufacturers. Although the car carried Audi’s four rings, Volkswagen acted as the connecting force behind the scenes, linking all parties involved. 

The Audi Asso di Picche Concept was not an isolated experiment, following ItalDesign and Karmann’s earlier Volkswagen Karmann Cheetah, a sharp-edged Beetle reinterpretation that never reached production but left a strong creative imprint. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

This concept was not an isolated experiment. Two years earlier, ItalDesign and Karmann had worked together on the Volkswagen Karmann Cheetah, a sharp-edged reinterpretation of the Beetle that never reached production but left a creative footprint. The Asso di Picche became the first chapter in Giorgetto Giugiaro’s trio of “Ace” concepts, followed by the BMW-based Asso di Quadri and the Isuzu-based Asso di Fiori. Together, they explored how a single design philosophy could adapt across brands and platforms, reinforcing Giugiaro’s growing reputation as a visionary of modern automotive form. 

The Audi Asso di Picche Concept showcased pure Giugiaro styling, with a long pointed nose, fastback rear, sharp wedge profile, muscular surfaces, and an offset hood scoop suggesting functional intent. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Mechanically, the Asso di Picche stayed close to its Audi 80 origins. It used the same 1.3- or 1.5-liter inline-four engines paired with a four-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Suspension, brakes, and core components were unchanged, but the shorter, lighter body promised sharper handling and improved agility. Rather than chasing performance through power, the concept suggested that smart design and reduced mass could deliver a more engaging driving experience. 

The Audi Asso di Picche Concept featured a dramatically reimagined interior that abandoned Audi’s conventional layout in favor of cylindrical modules organizing instruments and switches in a clean, architectural form. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Inside, the transformation was far more dramatic. The cabin departed completely from Audi’s conventional layout, replacing traditional dashboards with cylindrical modules that grouped instruments and switches in a clean, almost architectural arrangement. Leather dominated the interior surfaces, adding warmth to the otherwise futuristic atmosphere. Door pockets resembled hanging handbags, while a distinctive mono-spoke steering wheel reinforced the sense that this car belonged to a different design era—one willing to challenge familiar habits. 

The Audi Asso di Picche Concept remained mechanically close to the Audi 80, using the same 1.3- or 1.5-liter inline-four engines paired with a four-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. (Picture from: AudiClubNA.org)

Visually, the exterior was pure Giugiaro. A long, pointed nose flowed into a fastback rear, forming a sharp wedge profile that seemed to cut through the air even while standing still. Subtle muscular surfaces prevented the design from feeling flat or sterile, and an offset hood scoop hinted at functional intent beneath the sculpted skin. The Asso di Picche made its public debut at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show, where its angular confidence contrasted sharply with the softer shapes surrounding it. | cRAqJCaHxDU |

Although it never advanced beyond the concept stage, the Asso di Picche left a lasting echo. Giugiaro later acknowledged its influence on the iconic Lancia Delta, and its wedge-driven language resurfaced in projects like the Maserati Medici and Lancia Megagamma. Half a century later, that legacy was formally recognized when ItalDesign unveiled the electric Asso di Picche di Movimento in 2023. The original concept remains a reminder that true innovation doesn’t always need to reach production—sometimes, shaping the future is enough. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUDICLUBNA.ORG | STORY-CARS | SUPERCARS.NET ]

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