29 June 2009 - 11:00
Aston’s iQ test
This is the Cygnet, Aston Martin's new city car based on the Toyota iQ.
Seriously. We're not joking about this one. This is real.
At the moment, Aston is describing the Cygnet as a concept, but it seems very, very likely to reach production next year.
So what's the idea? Let's ask Aston's chief exec Ulrich Bez.
"This concept - akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht - will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market," says Bez.
"The offering of a ‘Cygnet' with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility."
Which means, we think, that the Cygnet will be the short-range dinghy to the millionaire's DBS yacht. Makes some sort of sense, but can it really be an Aston?
If you're thinking, "well, maybe if it's powered by a big V8...", afraid not. We'd expect the underpinnings to be pure iQ - so a 1.0- or 1.3-litre petrol engine - though with Aston's own wheels, tyres and, of course, deeply plush interior.
As you can see from the photo, it'll get a One-77-inspired front end, complete with wide, angry grille and bonnet vents. We're told that the Cygnet could cost around £20,000 - which is a hell of a lot for an iQ, though very reasonable for an Aston, if you want to look at it that way.
You'll only be able to buy a Cygnet if you're an existing Aston owner, so any of you thinking it's a cheap way into Aston ownership, think again.
What’s your opinion, TGers? To give Aston the benefit of the doubt, imagine the Cygnet with this paintjob and a big set of shiny alloys. Is it more of an Aston than, say, that bizarre Lagonda-thing?
Want to comment on this?
Damn, it's not April 1st...
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its ridiculous. One for Paris Hilton in pink, please...
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I don't want to believe this car's an Aston but it is... it's so un-very Aston Martin in an exclusive kind of way. In a way I kind of want it to get built ( just to say with conviction that I own an Aston - funnily ), but also don't ( as it could hurt Aston's ultra-rich clientele base ) but...
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Ambitious but rubbish.
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It looks Sweeeeeet!!!! Other than that, you can't blame the guys at Aston Martin for doing something like this... if they didn't aim for another target audience aswell as high level luxury sports cars, then they would be going bankrupt.
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Given it appears to be a 'buy it when you buy a proper Aston' kind of deal , perhaps rather than the 1.3 engine assumed here, it could infact be an electric or hybrid, and is , maybe, a way of offsetting the carbon footprint of the real cars. It would certainly keep the greens a bit happier.
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I am going to buy that when I get my licence :) Not quite right for Aston but cooler and more expensive than da toyota.
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That's the most awesome thing I've seen since last night when JC crashed a volvo, but I'm not sure this is a wise route for Aston to go down, they've still got exclusivity going for them and this might tread that into the ground... And it kinda ruins the whole sporty rep...
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Ahem... well done Aston! I'm sure developing and selling this car will be much cheaper than weeing away a fortune in 'penalties' to the EU for vastly exceeding their draconian (and pointless) average C02 limits. Even if the car is a loss leader it is better the money goes back into the car industry than into the coffers to pay MEPs' expenses...
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It makes economic sense, but it's just not right.
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I think it's a brilliant idea! You buy a DBS for real, and you get this one no matter what. Every time you need to enter London or anything, you're bound to take this baby. Sooner or later you'll distinguish naturally between taking the sportscar for a real ride or this one for citywork and short trips. Jay Leno will love it! And let's face it: it's not cool to take a DBS to stand still in a traffic jam.
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that' an interresting idea a small sports car
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I hope this is just a concept... In my point of view, Aston nowadays are unlike David Brown Era's Aston, the're just... doing everything to earn money.. I really say "No" to this one.. This is just very.. "Un-Aston Martin"
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So lets say somebody buys a Vantage, no options so its as cheep as possible. How many Astoyotins can they buy? Is there a set limit? One per customer? Or could they buy say 50 and sell them on to cover the cost of there Aston?
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Lovely. but NO Diesel!
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Has Aston gone mad or something? Firstly the present us with the Lagonda which has the underpinnings of a 4X4 Merc which is wrong for many reasons. And now this? A "TOYOTA!" with an Aston body kit, a cheap nasty little Japanese car should never ever wear such a prestigious badge. It seems like they are trying to bring back the Tickford Metro, but its just not going to work on something like that.
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This is the stupidest thing Aston has ever done! Why would anyone get this joke of a car over the IQ?!
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I have now seen everything. What's next, Ferrari Smart? Lambo 500?
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Aston should stick to supercars and not produce rubbish like this or the lagonda concept. I'm sorry but I just don't like it. Sorry again Aston.
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aston martin have gone mad. period. actually, no, not that, but 20000 pounds for atiny city car? don't go saying "oh but it's an aston" it just isn't. it'l have to be at least RWD, limited slip diff, it has to powerslide and have a pretty fenomenal engine for that price. or just buy yourself an used V8 Vauxhall Monaro.
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aston martin have gone mad. period. actually, no, not that, but 20000 pounds for atiny city car? don't go saying "oh but it's an aston" it just isn't. it'l have to be at least RWD, limited slip diff, it has to powerslide and have a pretty fenomenal engine for that price. or just buy yourself an used V8 Vauxhall Monaro.
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Aston what have you done?? This is the ugliest car ive seen since the Fiat multipla thing. Aston Martin is a luxury car manufacture yet they are making a small hatchback. Or as above buy yourself a Vauxhall Monaro for the same price. I hope that this never goes in to production !
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Oh Dear God
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and today on top gear,, we have a piece of shit driving around our track. thats what jeremy is probbably gonna say........... thats what i would say anyway :). (sorry for the language lol )
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timsarmchair commented on this article
29 June 2009
The bizarre Lagonda thing is more of an Aston. This is just not right, it's not what Aston Martin is supposed to be about. Am I correct in understanding that they only offer you the choice to buy one of these if you shell out for one of their proper cars? Otherwise, we'll see a hell of a lot more Astons about and that will devalue Aston as an exclusive, sporty brand, especially when you consider it will get out-dragged by a Vauxhall Corsa... that's just not right for them. And it really looks like the iQ.
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