The Aston Martin Cygnet will be the most economical Aston car , although it is not a true Aston because it is based upon the Japanese Toyota. The company says the car will offer a Euro NCAP five-star safety package as well as a “distinctive, intelligent and exclusive solution for urban travel in style and luxury.”
Aston CEO Ulrich Bez envisions the Cygnet being offered exclusively to owners of an Aston DBS, DB9 or Vantage as “a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level.”
The Toyota iQ was launched in January 2009 as Toyota’s answer to the rear-engine Smart. (It is likely to come to America soon badged as a Scion.) Unlike the Smart, but in typical Toyota fashion, the iQ is conservatively engineered. The tiny four-seater houses its powerplant up front and rides on a platform that draws heavily from the bigger Yaris. Weight varies depending on equipment and engine, but the iQ generally tips the scales at just over a ton.
Features:
67-hp with 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine
89-hp with 1.4-liter turbo-diesel
97-hp with 1.3-liter gasoline four-banger
Five- and six-speed manuals as well as a continuously variable transmission.
From 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds
Top speed 106 mph
The iQ’s roof and door panels
Price:
The Cygnet will be offered for around €25,000 to €30,000”—the equivalent of $35,000 to $42,000.
Reports say that Aston, which was sold by Ford Motor Co. to a private equity group two years ago, will build up to 2,000 copies of the Cygnet a year.
