The automotive world has seen its fair share of revolutionary concept cars, but few have been as influential as the Isuzu Asso di Fiori. Designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro and presented at the 1979 Geneva Motor Show, the Asso di Fiori was a car that not only captured the imagination of the public but also changed the trajectory of car design for decades to come. Often regarded as the fifth “Copernican revolution” in automotive design, it set new standards for aerodynamics, practicality, and aesthetic simplicity. While the Asso di Fiori never made it to full production, its impact is still felt today in the design of many modern cars.

The Origins of the Asso di Fiori

From the Isuzu 117 Coupé to the Asso di Fiori

The Isuzu 117 Coupé, designed in 1966, was a car that laid the groundwork for its successor, the Asso di Fiori. The 117 was notable for its sophisticated design and refined engineering, but by the 1970s, Isuzu sought a more modern, innovative approach for their next model. To bring this vision to life, they turned to Giorgetto Giugiaro, the renowned designer behind iconic vehicles like the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sprint and the Volkswagen Golf.

Isuzu gave Giugiaro free rein to create the new car, with only one stipulation: the design had to use the Gemini 1800 platform, which was essentially the Japanese version of the Chevrolet Corvette platform. This requirement limited the design to an extent but also laid the foundation for what would become one of the most groundbreaking and futuristic cars of the era.

Giugiaro’s Role and Vision for the Successor

Giugiaro’s vision for the Asso di Fiori was one of unified elegance and innovative simplicity. He sought to eliminate unnecessary elements, focusing on creating a clean, cohesive design that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. With the Asso di Fiori, Giugiaro pushed the boundaries of automotive design, pioneering solutions that would become standard in the industry in the years that followed.

Video

Watch this video on the 1979 Isuzu Asso di Fiori, a stunning prototype car by Italdesign. Discover the unique design and innovation behind this rare gem!

The Geneva Motor Show 1979: A Moment of Innovation

The 1979 Geneva Motor Show was a turning point for car design, and the Asso di Fiori was the star of the show. Journalists, designers, and car manufacturers flocked to the Italdesign stand, eager to see what Giugiaro had created this time. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many calling the car a true revolution in design.

The Asso di Fiori was an automotive masterpiece, pushing the limits of what was possible in car manufacturing. The design was unlike anything that had been seen before. Giugiaro had created a car that was not only visually striking but also highly practical and aerodynamic.

Giugiaro referred to the Asso di Fiori as his “fifth Copernican revolution” in automotive design. This term referenced Copernicus’ revolutionary theory that the Earth revolved around the Sun, just as Giugiaro’s new design would revolutionize the way cars were conceptualized and produced. The Asso di Fiori introduced new design elements that would influence car manufacturing for decades to come, including the removal of external drip channels, the introduction of flush-fitting windows, and the creation of integral, limousine-style doors.

Design and Innovation: What Made the Asso di Fiori Stand Out

Removing External Drip Channels and the New Gutter Design

One of the most notable innovations of the Asso di Fiori was the elimination of external drip channels. These channels, which were traditionally used to guide water away from the windows, were integrated into the door pillars. This not only improved the car’s aerodynamics but also created a cleaner, smoother design. The roof became a unified surface, free from the protrusions that had marred the designs of earlier cars.

Flush-Fitting Windows and Integral Doors

The flush-fitting windows and the innovative integral doors were further breakthroughs. The doors, which wrapped around the B-pillar and roof, were fully integrated into the car’s structure, creating a seamless, aerodynamic profile. These features were bold and experimental at the time but later became common in car design, particularly in luxury vehicles. Giugiaro’s design was about simplicity, removing unnecessary lines and cuts from the bodywork, resulting in a much cleaner overall appearance.

The Evolution of “Limousine Doors” and Rear Hatch Design

Another defining feature of the Asso di Fiori was its rear hatch design. The hatch was integrated into the car’s bodywork, creating a smooth flow from the roof to the back. This design concept would later influence many mass-market cars, including the Volkswagen Golf and other European models. The limousine-style doors, which wrapped around the B-pillar, were another feature that set the Asso di Fiori apart from other vehicles of the time.

Technical Feasibility and Production Challenges

While the Asso di Fiori was a bold concept, the challenge was to make it technically feasible for mass production. The flush doors, integral windows, and unique roofline were all design elements that had never been seen in mass-produced cars. Giugiaro’s vision was ambitious, but Italdesign worked closely with Isuzu to ensure that these features could be replicated on the production line.

The car’s development was not without challenges. The cutting-edge design required extensive testing and refinement to ensure it met the rigorous standards of production vehicles. However, the result was a car that not only looked futuristic but was also highly functional.

The Asso di Fiori’s Influence on Future Cars

The Asso di Fiori’s design had a lasting impact on the automotive world. Giugiaro’s innovations in aerodynamics, simplicity, and structural integrity became a foundation for many of the cars that followed. The flush-fitting windows and integral doors that he pioneered would go on to become standard features in cars designed for the 1980s and beyond.

By the 1980s, many car manufacturers had adopted Giugiaro’s integral doors, with models like the Volkswagen Golfincorporating these design principles. The Asso di Fiori’s influence was evident in many production cars, with nearly a third of all cars produced between 1981 and 1987 featuring similar design elements.

From Concept to Reality: The Isuzu Piazza

The Asso di Fiori’s design eventually evolved into the Isuzu Piazza, which debuted in 1981. The Piazza retained many of the innovative features introduced by the Asso di Fiori, including its aerodynamic lines and integral door design. While the production model was toned down slightly for mass production, it was still a testament to Giugiaro’s vision for the future of car design.

The transition from concept to production was smooth, thanks to the faith Isuzu placed in Giugiaro’s design and the hard work of Italdesign’s engineers. The Piazza went on to become a popular model in Japan and internationally, demonstrating that the Asso di Fiori’s bold ideas could be successfully implemented in a mass-market vehicle.

Conclusion

The Isuzu Asso di Fiori may have never been mass-produced, but its influence on the automotive industry is undeniable. Through Giugiaro’s visionary design, the Asso di Fiori introduced a host of innovations that would go on to shape the cars of the future. Its aerodynamic elegance, integral doors, and flush-fitting windows set a new standard for car design, and the Isuzu Piazza was the tangible result of this groundbreaking concept. Today, the Asso di Fiori stands as a shining example of how bold design and innovative thinking can shape the future of automotive history.

Video

Check out this video showing the production process at the Isuzu truck factory. Watch to see how Japanese trucks are built with precision and craftsmanship!