Monday 11th October 2010

Aston Martin Cygnet Gets The Nod

The name's Bond, Mrs Bond. Latte anyone..?

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Aston Martin has today confirmed that the Cygnet will go into production in 2011 at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire.

That may be a bit of a misrepresentation, as any fule knos the Toyota iQ is actually built at TMC's Takaoka Plant in Japan, but a few new body parts and an interior re-trim are supposedly enough to officially 'Aston-ise' the popular city car.

While some may think of the Cygnet as the cuckoo in Aston Martin's nest (Geddit?), others will doubtless be attracted by the bespoke leathery luxury of its cabin and the badge.

Aston Martin itself says 'the Cygnet is a city car that sets a new benchmark for compact luxury, building upon nearly a century of experience building high performance sports cars, luxurious long-range grand tourers, and extremely competitive racing machines,' and that the 'Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin's commitment to innovation and integrity'.

"It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don't make compromises," says Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.

Really..?

Oh well, 'needs must' and all that. And if sales of a rebadged Toyota city car help Aston Martin retain the core values of its core product line-up, we can hardly grumble.

In fact, if we're honest we'd probably quite enjoy a tootle in a Cygnet, but only after donning dark glasses and a false moustache.

Further details on the Aston Martin Cygnet including pricing and specification will be announced later this year, they say. Meanwhile, we offer a picture of a real man's Aston for any PHers who need their equilibrium restored...

[MrTappets]

If I were Aston I'd secretly give it about 200bhp, but not tell anyone, and then at launch the pleasent surprise might possibly be enough offset the fact it's a japanese city car.

[TheEnd]

" 'Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin's commitment to innovation and integrity'."

It's not really an innovation, and doesn't say much for the integrity when a luxury sports car manufacturer sticks their badge on a Toyota.

[Atomic Gibbon]

I can't see why everyone is so negative. Aston, like all other manufacturers, has to reduce average emissions. Aston aren't equipped for a Kers car, or similar - so theis little cygnet thing buys them a lot of emissions headroom for vantages.
I'd rather see a city car than a new "baby" aston with a 4 pot, still calling itself a sports car. I'd also hate to see the big proper astons go all green and frugal - if for no other reason than the noise of a v8v is worth it's weight in polar bear alone.

[williamp]

That picture is Moss in a DBR1 trying to drive as fast as possible away from this vehcile.

Aston spend juyst £15, on R&D last year, sold off the rights to use its name in merchandise, and now this

The damage will be irreprobable, I feel.

[Tomoose85]

And how much more than an IQ is this little 'gem' likely to cost??

I assume fully assembled IQs will be delivered for Aston to make their tweaks to...

Any engine or chassis upgrades?

[PAULJ5555]

TheEnd said:

" 'Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin's commitment to innovation and integrity'."

It's not really an innovation, and doesn't say much for the integrity when a luxury sports car manufacturer sticks their badge on a Toyota.

Very true

[mig25_foxbat2003]

I think that if they make the interior *properly* luxurious - I'm talking at least the standard of fit and finish of the Vantage/DB9 - there is a place for this car. Who says that luxury cars have to be fast, or large?

It could be the Metro Vanden Plas of its generation

[ZOLLAR]

Strange i like the Toyota IQ and i like Aston Martins, but i don't like this.
I fully understand the reasons they are doing it but it just dosn't look right to me.

[BarnatosGhost]

williamp said:

That picture is Moss in a DBR1 trying to drive as fast as possible away from this vehcile.

Aston spend juyst £15, on R&D last year, sold off the rights to use its name in merchandise, and now this

The damage will be irreprobable, I feel.

I have a new word of the week. Irreprobable. Lovely.

[[AJ]]

TheEnd said:

" 'Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin's commitment to innovation and integrity'."

It's not really an innovation, and doesn't say much for the integrity when a luxury sports car manufacturer sticks their badge on a Toyota.

Exactly. It would be far more dignified of them to just say "Sorry, but if you want us to continue to build lovely V8 and V12 sports cars, we have to sell this little thing with our badge on it. We are ashamed, but our hands are tied."

Innovation and integrity... snigger.

Thanks for the picture of the 'proper' Aston though Chris-R. It went some way to quelling the pain.

[TheRoadWarrior]

PH said:

That may be a bit of a misrepresentation, as any fule knos the Toyota iQ is actually built at TMC's Takaoka Plant in Japan, but a few new body parts and an interior re-trim are supposedly enough to officially 'Aston-ise' the popular city car.

Was that some inside joke thats gone over my head.. or just a rampant typo?

Credit to Aston, it looks like an IQ-improved- there's refreshing little over the top bling attached halfords style to the outside.

Still, can't help thinking you'd feel a total mong driving one, no matter how shallow you were.



Sniff; just because

Edited by TheRoadWarrior on Monday 11th October 12:38

[ctallchris]

PAULJ5555 said:

TheEnd said:

" 'Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin's commitment to innovation and integrity'."

It's not really an innovation, and doesn't say much for the integrity when a luxury sports car manufacturer sticks their badge on a Toyota.

Very true

In fact the only thing that could be said about their innovation is that if this makes them more inovative then they recognise toyota as a more inovative company

[Schermerhorn]

I like it.

[off_again]

The sad nature of the modern business of making cars I am afraid. The risks of company average fuel consumption targets and emissions means that it is increasingly difficult for the specialist makers to avoid doing something 'economical'. As Aston pushes forward into the future (which is rosier than its been for a long time), it runs into business issues that need innovative solution - OK, a Toyota iQ isnt particularly good, but at least it gets them over this current hurdle.

If this is a way for Aston to still keep building V12's then great - long may it continue. Personally, targets for manufacturers should be based on achievable improvements in emissions and MPG rather than flat rate figures that bend to the bigger makers.... how about setting targets of 25% improvement in MPG over 10 years. Push technology to come up with challenging solutions, rather than pushing companies into corners like this.

[off_again]

Schermerhorn said:

I like it.

Wierdo....

[Chocky Chockster]

TheRoadWarrior said:

PH said:

That may be a bit of a misrepresentation, as any fule knos the Toyota iQ is actually built at TMC's Takaoka Plant in Japan, but a few new body parts and an interior re-trim are supposedly enough to officially 'Aston-ise' the popular city car.

Was that some inside joke thats gone over my head.. or just a rampant typo?

It's Nigel Molesworth, who wrote the compendium on being a British schoolboy in the fifties, including the classic 'How to be Topp: A Guide to Sukcess for Tiny Pupils, Including All There is to Kno about Space'. This is the sort of pub quiz nugget that probably splits the audience in two - those who know, and those who couldn't give a monkeys that they don't.

[TOM500]

Ferrari Fiat500 is great, can't help but feel that Aston went at this a little half cocked. Better than an Aston Micra I suppose!

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Oh dear, Is this what it has come to, British motoring manufacturing involves buying little Jap' Boxes and sticking badges* on them??

*Badge probably made in china too!

[TheRoadWarrior]

Chocky Chockster said:

TheRoadWarrior said:

PH said:

That may be a bit of a misrepresentation, as any fule knos the Toyota iQ is actually built at TMC's Takaoka Plant in Japan, but a few new body parts and an interior re-trim are supposedly enough to officially 'Aston-ise' the popular city car.

Was that some inside joke thats gone over my head.. or just a rampant typo?

It's Nigel Molesworth, who wrote the compendium on being a British schoolboy in the fifties, including the classic 'How to be Topp: A Guide to Sukcess for Tiny Pupils, Including All There is to Kno about Space'. This is the sort of pub quiz nugget that probably splits the audience in two - those who know, and those who couldn't give a monkeys that they don't.

Ahh thanks.

Every days a Skool day I suppose

[kevseymour]

Clearly this car isn't aimed at the hardcore AM fan base, and no it's not a true Aston, the styling is a bit odd and it'll be overpriced but i bet the people that buy them love them.