‘Cygnet’ by Aston Martin

[Paul_Heery]

I was reading the comments in the Fiat 500 Abarth thread when I got notice of this article in the NYT:

Aston Martin Joins With Toyota on Small Car

Aston Martin Cygnet.

Aston Martin has announced a new compact car concept, the Cygnet. Aston calls the car a “luxury commuter concept,” but that wasn’t the biggest surprise in the news release.

The Cygnet, which means young swan, takes traditional Aston styling cues — big-mouth grille, alloy wheels and what appears to be carbon-fiber vents cut into the hood — and transposes them onto the petite proportions of the Toyota iQ city car. At only 117.5 inches long, the iQ, which Toyota began selling in Japan and Europe late last year, is slightly longer than a Smart Fortwo.

Despite the Aston makeover, the Cygnet will still be powered by Toyota’s 67-horsepower 998-cc 3-cylinder engine — 353 horsepower shy of the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage, a slinky $120,000 sport coupe that, until now, served as the brand’s budget model. The V-8 Vantage can accelerate from zero to 60 miles an hour in 4.5 seconds. The iQ takes roughly three times as long.

Toyota iQ.

One obvious question is whether the whole thing is a joke. Punching in the number for the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, England, a polite spokesman said the Cygnet, while still a concept, is very much for real. “A lot of our customers have two, three or four cars in their garage,” he explained. Company research found that this fleet often includes at least one small car for zipping around town.

“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,” said Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s chief executive, in a press release.

So seeking to capitalize on this niche within a niche market, Aston Martin came up with the Cygnet. Based on trusty Toyota underpinnings, the production version could arrive by 2010. Prices and production numbers are not set, but, according to the Aston spokesman, the price could be around $33,000. The Toyota iQ starts at $15,800 in Britain.

Already having an Aston Martin sports car could help your chances even more because sales priority will be given to existing clientele. Sales will initially be limited to Britain and Europe. But Americans can take heart. Scion could begin selling a version of the Toyota iQ in the United States as soon as late 2010, reports Motor Trend. It is likely to cost much less than the Cygnet.

Info on the Aston Martin site:
http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=ee5fb483-3a1f-43c0-98f5-942854135911

[legion]

Why?

That car won't appeal to anyone who likes Aston Martins, and an Aston Martin badge won't appeal to anyone who wants a small car, smug, eco-car.

[Jim Richards]

It's perfect for running between the various parts of my estate. For example, I would use it to go from the main house to the stables so I can riding or particapate in my charity fox hunt event, or perhaps run over to my tennis courts, or to my polo field. It's much more practical than driving my Vantage.

[Paul_Heery]

I'm planning on using my DBS as my "outdoor" car. While, the Cygnet is sized perfectly for "indoor" use. My wife and I will be able to pass one another in the hallways.

[ckissick]

It's just the thing for when James Bond needs to pop down to the market for a bag of scones.

[Jim Richards]

I've been assured by my private golf club that the Cygnet may be used as my golf cart. Now, I'll have to decide whether to have my chauffeur trained to be a caddy, or my caddy trained to be a chauffeur.

[Hugh R]

Having owned an Aston Martin, I don't see it.