{"id":5076,"date":"1973-09-13T21:10:00","date_gmt":"1973-09-13T21:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/?p=5076"},"modified":"2026-03-28T21:09:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T21:09:15","slug":"audi-asso-di-picche-1973","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/1973\/09\/13\/audi-asso-di-picche-1973\/","title":{"rendered":"Audi Asso di Picche (1973)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\/Concept Cars & Design Studies<\/mark><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What:\u00a0<\/strong>Audi Asso di Picche Concept
Model Family:<\/strong>\u00a080 (B1, type 80)
Debuted:\u00a0<\/strong>1973 Frankfurt IAA<\/a>
Year:<\/strong>\u00a01973<\/a>
Registration Plate: <\/strong>N\/A
Status:<\/strong> Italdesign collection
Number Produced:<\/strong>\u00a01
Model \/ Generation Code(s):<\/strong>\u00a0type 80<\/a>
Chassis \/ Matrix:<\/strong>\u00a0B1<\/a>
Engine:\u00a0<\/strong>1.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine
Transmission:<\/strong>\u00a04-speed manual
Drivetrain: <\/strong>Front-wheel drive
Power:\u00a0<\/strong>101 hp (74 kW)
Weight:<\/strong>\u00a0unknown
Acceleration (0-100 km \/ 62 mph:<\/strong>\u00a0unknown
Length: <\/strong>4,110 mm
Width: <\/strong>1,650 mm
Height: <\/strong>1,210 mm
Wheelbase:<\/strong> 2,480 mm
Body style: <\/strong>2-door Coup\u00e9
Exterior Paint Color: <\/strong>unknown silver
Wheels: <\/strong>4×100 custom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concept Cars:<\/strong> BMW Asso di Quadri (1976), Isuzu Asso di Fiori (1979)
Prototypes:<\/strong> Audi A0 Coup\u00e9 (1973\/1975)<\/a>
Road Cars:<\/strong> N\/A
Race Cars:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Audi Asso di Picche is a 1973 concept car developed by Italdesign under the direction of Giorgetto Giugiaro, with construction undertaken by Karmann. Conceived as a four-seat sports coup\u00e9 based on the mechanical layout of the Audi 80 (B1), the project was intended to demonstrate the feasibility of a limited-series production model rather than to serve as a purely experimental show car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the Asso di Picche carried Audi branding and utilized Audi mechanical components from the 80 (B1), it was not commissioned directly by Audi. Instead, it functioned as a design and engineering proposal initiated at Karmann\u2019s request, serving as a rolling showcase of Italdesign\u2019s emerging geometric design language and Karmann\u2019s production capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name Asso di Picche<\/em> translates from Italian as Ace of Spades<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the early 1970s, automotive design was undergoing a marked shift away from the organic forms of the 1950s and 1960s toward sharper, more geometric shapes. This transition was being led in large part by Italian design studios, particularly Italdesign, which Giugiaro had founded in 1968 after previous tenures at Bertone and Ghia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the Volkswagen Group was in the process of reinventing itself beyond the Beetle. Italdesign was deeply involved in this transformation, having been contracted to design several key models, including the Volkswagen Golf Mk1, Scirocco Mk1, and Passat B1. Parallel to these production programs, Italdesign continued to produce radical concept vehicles\u2014most notably the 1972 Maserati Boomerang\u2014that explored advanced forms and packaging solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against this backdrop, Wilhelm Karmann sought to collaborate with Italdesign on a project that could plausibly be manufactured in small numbers. The resulting concept was based on the Audi 80 platform, which itself underpinned several Volkswagen Group products, making it a logical technical foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Asso di Picche was developed using the chassis and mechanical components of the Audi 80 (B1), including its front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. Compared with the Audi 80 sedan, the concept featured a shortened rear overhang and an extended front overhang, giving the car a more dramatic and forward-leaning stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stylistically, the car was heavily influenced by the geometric principles explored in the Maserati Boomerang. Its bodywork was defined by strong trapezoidal forms, creating a pronounced wedge profile with high visual impact. The vehicle was widest at the shoulder line, tapering both upward and downward\u2014an approach intended to improve aerodynamics, interior accessibility, and perceived width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although often compared to the Volkswagen Scirocco due to shared Giugiaro design origin and certain visual similarities, the Asso di Picche was conceived independently and exhibits a far more radical execution, particularly in its proportions and surface treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXTERIOR DESIGN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exterior of the Asso di Picche is characterized by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n