It will be called Proxima and will be a two-seater sports convertible and coupe, “spiritually” retro yet stylistically innovative: this is the new challenge for young car design talents competing in the second edition of the ASI Grifo d’Oro Competition. The call for entries has just been launched and announced; the deadline for submitting entries is August 31, 2026, after which the jury will evaluate the work of aspiring designers under 30 seeking an opportunity to make their mark.
The ASI Grifo d’Oro Competition—sponsored by the ASI Commission for Automobile Manufacturers and Designers and curated by car designer Enrico Fumia—was created specifically to promote talented young designers, acting as an impartial talent scout after reviving the initiative of the same name conceived in the 1960s by Nuccio Bertone, a man who knew a thing or two about talent. In principle, the strict rules of the three “Grifo d’Oro Bertone” competitions held in 1965, 1966, and 1967 have also been revived. This means binding design specifications, intended to “show young people—as Nuccio Bertone pointed out—the difficulties and real requirements to be kept in mind when designing bodywork models.” For this reason, we required that the projects be based on a chassis layout that presented a certain degree of difficulty. In other words, we sought to compel participants to take into account the mechanical components, the driving position, wheel vibrations, and regulations, thereby avoiding the creation of useless fantasies.”
The theme of this second edition of the ASI Competition will lead to the creation of a car with a distinctive aesthetic personality and practical usability. It is not, therefore, a rehash of the past, but a new expression inspired solely by the spirit of the past. All designs must adhere to the layout, dimensional constraints, and presentation guidelines provided by ASI. Any engine configuration is permitted within a single body shell, while the dimensions are strictly defined: wheelbase of 2,300 mm; maximum length of 4,000 mm and maximum width of 1,740 mm; height is unrestricted. The call for entries includes the rules, guidelines, diagrams, sheets, and tables (all available on the website https://asifed.it/concorso-grifo-doro/) that candidates will use to submit their designs. The final prize consists of a plaque plus a cash award of €5,000 for first place, €2,500 for second place, and €1,000 for third place. Additionally, the opportunity for an internship with participating companies is offered.
