Italdesign Structura

The Italdesign Structura is a prototype built by Italdesign Giugiaro in 1998 to celebrate the firm’s thirtieth anniversary. Its body was conceived as a thin skin of metal coating that leaves the lattice of the chassis visible, so that the architecture, design and technology normally hidden in a car became its styling. The doors were side hinged with no central pillar between them, and the rear door could open only after the front door, a safeguard meant for children on board. The windows were fixed, a choice made with a view to future communication with the outside world and to telematic toll payment systems such as Telepass, which Italy had introduced experimentally for the 1990 football World Cup. A completely flat floor eased entry and left a false bottom for electronic equipment. Power came from a 5,600 cc, 420 hp Volkswagen W12 engine, and the Structura served as the official car of Turin’s candidature for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.