The Asso di Picche design was a great idea for an Audi coupe that is sporty and two-seater.
Name: Audi Asso di Picche (“ace of spades”)
Launched:1973 Frankfurt Motor Show
Specifications: Based on an Audi 80 front-wheel drive, 1.3- to 1.5-liter engines, manual gearbox
Why Do We Remember It Now
Its unusually wedge-shaped body was reminiscent of earlier Giugiaro concepts, like the 1971 Alfa Romeo Caimano or the 1972 Maserati Boomerang. It was heavily inspired by the Audi 80. However, there was no design connection between them except for the shapes of the rear and front lighting clusters.
The interior was also very special, with a unique dashboard featuring two cylindrical clusters housing all controls. The steering wheel was sporty with one metallic spoke, and the door pockets looked like handbags. The interior was finished in leather upholstery and the seat cushions could be replaced.
The Asso di Picche was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, a well-respected design house Italdesign. The Audi 80 chassis was used and the same 1.3- to 1.5-liter inline-four gasoline engines were used. The engines were connected to a four-speed manual transmission that sent power to the front wheels. It is not known which engine was in the vehicle and if it was actually driveable.
Audi loved the idea of a two seater sports coupe but the Asso di Picche didn’t become a production car. Ingolstadt chose to focus on passenger cars that would bring in more sales than this model, which would have been a low-volume car. VW, the parent company, was concerned that a production version of the concept might clash with the Scirocco which came out just a few weeks later.
Actually, the Asso di Picche was part of a group of concepts that included the Asso di Quadri (“ace to diamonds”) and Asso di Fiori (“ace among clubs”) respectively. The first was based upon a BMW 320 (E21), and was presented at the 1976 Turin Motor Show. The second was based onto the Isuzu Gemini, and was exhibited during the 1979 Geneva Motor Show. In fact, the Asso Di Fiori made the transition to a production version with minimal changes. It became the Isuzu Piazza by 1981.
It was also planned to create an Asso di Cuori (“ace in hearts”) to complete this series. Unfortunately, that never happened.