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FenwickHockey65 · 06-29-2009, 11:28 AM

Aston Martin Cygnet revealed

MORE IMAGES AT AutoCar Gallery

Aston Martin has struck a ground-breaking deal with Toyota to launch a £20,000 version of the Japanese-built iQ commuter car, badged Aston Martin Cygnet and built at Aston’s Gaydon works in Warwickshire.

The new model, officially billed as a concept, is expected to be offered for sale before the end of next year. It will initially be sold only to existing Aston Martin owners and those with cars on order, but after an introductory period it will then go on general sale.

It will instantly become the world’s smallest super-luxury saloon and represents Aston’s most radical model departure in its 90-year history.

According to Aston CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the car is specifically aimed at the one-third of existing Aston owners who own a Mini-sized car. “This concept is akin to an exclusive tender for a luxury yacht,” Bez explains. “It allows us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.”

The ground-breaking project, which has been under discussion for several months, began when Bez met Toyota’s Akio Toyoda, the newly appointed president of Toyota Motor Co and grandson of its founder, while the pair were racing at the Nurburgring 24-hour.

The Cygnet uses standard Toyota iQ mechanical components and proportions, but with different wheels and tyres. It is believed that both the iQ’s punchier 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine is the most likely be offered.

The Cygnet’s new exterior, which at the front combines an all-new Aston grille with standard iQ lights to impressive effect, has been devised entirely by Aston’s Gaydon design group, led by Marek Reichman.

The luxurious, all-hide interior, also designed by Aston, uses the existing cabin’s instrument pack and archiecture, but new colours and trim materials give it a new look, much more luxurious than the standard iQ’s.

The Aston Cygnet will be built in Gaydon, using iQs built in Japan and specially imported to the UK for the purpose. The Gaydon factory has a flexible layout that would allow a Cygnet finishing line to be installed without disruption to present Aston models.

Aston Martin expects to build between 1000 and 2000 cars a year, with earliest cars earmarked for sale in the UK and Europe where the iQ has won a five-star NCAP safety rating. Cars will be sold exclusively through Aston dealers.

Aston insiders concede that adding the car to its range will have benefits for the company's average carbon dioxide emissions, but stress that this isn't the motivation for building the Cygnet.

FenwickHockey65 · 06-29-2009, 11:29 AM

My extremely eloquent and well thought out post in response to the original thread at GMI...

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

This is a joke, right?

Picard facepalm is at DEFCON 1!

As well as English ORLY owl...

Gotta throw a lolcat in there somewhere...

And to top it all off...

Downgrade, Aston Martin. Downgrade.

*Camaro_Corvette* · 06-29-2009, 11:29 AM

What the

big_dog · 06-29-2009, 11:36 AM

Why would they do something like that? At least there is louvers on the hood.

moto-camaro · 06-29-2009, 12:08 PM

this also applies:
this is the end of the world, aston martin building those thengermajiggers. make the interior as nice as you want, but it still "one of those"

BowtieGuy · 06-29-2009, 12:14 PM

I have now lost all respect for Aston Martin. It's amazing, despite making a car that is the complete opposite of everything they have built to date, they still managed to make it look exactly the same as any other AM product.

1320junkie · 06-29-2009, 12:16 PM

It makes sense

Zabo · 06-29-2009, 02:10 PM

First Porshe, then Aston Martin.

Ferrari.. please PLEASE don't try it. But then again we'll always have Lambo..right?

Right? Guise?

lil_chef · 06-29-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabo

First Porshe, then Aston Martin.

Ferrari.. please PLEASE don't try it. But then again we'll always have Lambo..right?

Right? Guise?

at least porsche makes legitimate cars with the cayenne and the panamara.......this is just.....horrible

FrozenCaveman · 06-29-2009, 02:24 PM

Daniel Craig will drive the iQ in the next James Bond flick.

nUcLeArEnVoY · 06-29-2009, 02:32 PM

Up Next, the Rolls Royce Casper! Luxury for a price you can afford and unmistakable Rolls Royce regal styling... except cuter!

SS 376 · 06-29-2009, 02:52 PM

It would be funny to tell a girl you drive an Aston Martin and then show up in that egg on the first date.

I'm not sure what's worse: Hyundai trying to sell a $60,000 sedan or this ridiculousness?

stovt001 · 06-29-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro_corvette

What the

That's about the same face I made when I saw this on Edmunds this morning. You'd think Aston could afford to add the CAFE fine onto the car's price. It's not like their customers are on a budget. Higher costs would be far less damaging than the brand image suicide this creates. On the plus side, my wife and I have been debating whether to get an Aston or an R8 (she wants the Aston) if we somehow find ourselves with an extra $100K+. Looks like I just won the argument.

patriotpa · 06-29-2009, 05:10 PM

Time to get out the smileys.....

:bangdesk:

06-29-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	You have GOT to be kidding me... Aston Martin Cygnet revealed MORE IMAGES AT AutoCar Gallery Aston Martin has struck a ground-breaking deal with Toyota to launch a £20,000 version of the Japanese-built iQ commuter car, badged Aston Martin Cygnet and built at Aston’s Gaydon works in Warwickshire. The new model, officially billed as a concept, is expected to be offered for sale before the end of next year. It will initially be sold only to existing Aston Martin owners and those with cars on order, but after an introductory period it will then go on general sale. It will instantly become the world’s smallest super-luxury saloon and represents Aston’s most radical model departure in its 90-year history. According to Aston CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the car is specifically aimed at the one-third of existing Aston owners who own a Mini-sized car. “This concept is akin to an exclusive tender for a luxury yacht,” Bez explains. “It allows us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.” The ground-breaking project, which has been under discussion for several months, began when Bez met Toyota’s Akio Toyoda, the newly appointed president of Toyota Motor Co and grandson of its founder, while the pair were racing at the Nurburgring 24-hour. The Cygnet uses standard Toyota iQ mechanical components and proportions, but with different wheels and tyres. It is believed that both the iQ’s punchier 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine is the most likely be offered. The Cygnet’s new exterior, which at the front combines an all-new Aston grille with standard iQ lights to impressive effect, has been devised entirely by Aston’s Gaydon design group, led by Marek Reichman. The luxurious, all-hide interior, also designed by Aston, uses the existing cabin’s instrument pack and archiecture, but new colours and trim materials give it a new look, much more luxurious than the standard iQ’s. The Aston Cygnet will be built in Gaydon, using iQs built in Japan and specially imported to the UK for the purpose. The Gaydon factory has a flexible layout that would allow a Cygnet finishing line to be installed without disruption to present Aston models. Aston Martin expects to build between 1000 and 2000 cars a year, with earliest cars earmarked for sale in the UK and Europe where the iQ has won a five-star NCAP safety rating. Cars will be sold exclusively through Aston dealers. Aston insiders concede that adding the car to its range will have benefits for the company's average carbon dioxide emissions, but stress that this isn't the motivation for building the Cygnet. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

06-29-2009, 11:29 AM	#3
Camaro_Corvette 36.58625, -121.7568 Drives: Team 1LE Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 23,709 View My Garage	What the __________________ I am seriously never serious vv V vv Next order of business

06-29-2009, 12:14 PM	#6
BowtieGuy Enlightened Drives: Nothing Currently Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,285	I have now lost all respect for Aston Martin. It's amazing, despite making a car that is the complete opposite of everything they have built to date, they still managed to make it look exactly the same as any other AM product. __________________ If you believe it is your right to speak freely no matter the content, relevance, or intelligence of statement, then it is my duty to the powers that be to set you straight. People have to talk about something just to keep their voice boxes in working order. So they'll have good voice boxes in case there's ever anything really meaningful to say. Kurt Vonnegut

06-29-2009, 02:24 PM	#10
FrozenCaveman Just a caveman Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 79 View My Garage	Daniel Craig will drive the iQ in the next James Bond flick. __________________ CGM 2SS + WRS + W1H 2G1FT1EW9A9121856

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06-29-2009, 11:36 AM	#4
big_dog Future Z28 Owner. Drives: Future Camaro Owner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 239 View My Garage	Why would they do something like that? At least there is louvers on the hood.

06-29-2009, 12:08 PM	#5
moto-camaro CEO of the Internet Drives: the Roflcopter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 1,282 View My Garage	this also applies: this is the end of the world, aston martin building those thengermajiggers. make the interior as nice as you want, but it still "one of those"

06-29-2009, 12:16 PM	#7
1320junkie Drives: The Imperial Army Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Darkside Posts: 15,742	It makes sense

06-29-2009, 02:10 PM	#8
Zabo Gunning for Sixth Drives: '03 ZR2 Blazer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodhaven, Michigan Posts: 9,358 View My Garage	First Porshe, then Aston Martin. Ferrari.. please PLEASE don't try it. But then again we'll always have Lambo..right? Right? Guise?

06-29-2009, 02:32 PM	#11
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06-29-2009, 02:52 PM	#12
SS 376 Drives: 2010 IBM 1SS (Former) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NoVA Posts: 2,032	It would be funny to tell a girl you drive an Aston Martin and then show up in that egg on the first date. I'm not sure what's worse: Hyundai trying to sell a $60,000 sedan or this ridiculousness?

06-29-2009, 05:10 PM	#14
patriotpa Account Suspended Drives: 02 Silverado, 09 Vue, 10 1SS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tired of apologizing when we should be kickin' butt! Posts: 1,966 View My Garage	Time to get out the smileys..... :bangdesk: