RE: Aston Martin Cygnet: Spotted

RE: Aston Martin Cygnet: Spotted

Saturday 18th November 2017

Aston Martin Cygnet: Spotted

Remember that time Aston Martin told customers it's what's on the inside that counts?



That this tiny car is arguably the most divisive product in Aston Martin's history - a history which includes the Lagonda - is enough to tell most people all they need to know about it. But while others decry the Cygnet as an ugly duckling, let us consider whether or not it matured into a magnificent swan...

It's back!
It's back!
To do so we first have to address the elephant in the room, namely the Cygnet's parentage. Yes, the body, chassis, suspension, engine and transmission are all pulled directly from the Toyota iQ, a car you can purchase for almost one fifth of the price. But this alone shouldn't disqualify it from Spotted status. The Toyota's mechanicals are as good a place to start as any, and amazing cars are based on much less special ones all the time.

The Cygnet may not boast a widebody kit - though it undoubtedly looks much smarter than the iQ - or have an extra few hundred horsepower, but that's not what it's about. Where this Aston's performance lies is in coddling its occupants in the manner to which they are likely accustomed, whilst providing an urban practicality and frugality with which they are unlikely to be so familiar.

Probably its best angle
Probably its best angle
At the time of it's launch, Dr Ulrich Bez explained that, "each will be a true representation of Aston Martin's trademark style and painstaking craftsmanship. And more than 100 man hours will go into each of them." To that end, the interior is wrapped in handbag-quality leather and Alcantara; the touch points, such as the polished alloy gear-gate and shift lever, are all up to Aston standard; and there are improved instrument graphics too. Outside, you'll find an aluminium grille created by the same supplier that made the One-77's and alloy wheels, again Aston's own design.

As far as city cars go then, the criteria they're measured by and what's required of them, the Cygnet is as much of a step up over its rivals as any other Aston Martin. And it's equally as head-turning, too. You may think that sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Fewer than 150 were sold, so it's as rare as an Aston should be, and the superior lustre of the paint, the handsome facelift and the Aston Martin badge on the bonnet stop many a passer by in their tracks to take a another look. "It can't be, can it?"

Cheaper to fuel than a V12 at least
Cheaper to fuel than a V12 at least
If none of the above comes close to justifying the price tag, it's because this was never a car for you or me. It was a third or fourth or fifth car for people who already owned several others, and wanted something more practical for their city pad; something that cost roughly the same as their watch. Turned out it wasn't a car for them either though, the Cygnet ending up as something of a lame duck.

So who's it for then? Well, around five years ago you could pick one up with under 10,000 miles on the odometer for around £15,000. The example we have here has a similar mileage for more than double the price, so it seems the Cygnet is appreciating just like any other rare Aston Martin.

They'll likely find their way into the collections of investors and diehard enthusiasts then. Having failed to fulfill their purpose as a practical every day Aston, they'll find a second lease of life as curio car investments for display purposes only. But even still, you do see one knocking about on the streets of London or Paris from time to time, and it's always makes you stop to take a second glance. What could be more Aston Martin than that?


SPECIFICATION - ASTON MARTIN CYGNET

Engine: 1,330cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 98@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 92@4,400rpm
MPG: 56.5
CO2: 116g/km
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 10,000
Price new: £30,995
Yours for: £33,654

See the original ad here.

 

 

Author
Discussion

Blakewater

Original Poster:

4,303 posts

156 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
It was never a car for you or me, not you or I. You wouldn't say it was never a car for I. Carry on.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
What a mess! laugh

I get the idea but starting with an IQ??

reef67

30 posts

134 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
This is so wrong on so many levels, "aluminium grille created by the same supplier that made the One-77's"...wow.

No, just no...crass doesn't even begin to cover it.


Yipper

5,964 posts

89 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
The price is ridiculous.

Some folks are covering them in gold wrap to make them stand out more.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
I like it. For £15k I would have bought a used one if I lived in Central London. Or if I was looking for a supermini.

But for £30k..... pass.

Gary C

12,313 posts

178 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Wasn't this an answer to the corporate emissions legislation ?

Make one really low emissions car, so you can sell some more lovely v12's

mmcd87

626 posts

202 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
xjay1337 said:
What a mess! laugh

I get the idea but starting with an IQ??
What would you have started with that offers a similar package?

V8LM

5,166 posts

208 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Gary C said:
Wasn't this an answer to the corporate emissions legislation ?

Make one really low emissions car, so you can sell some more lovely v12's
No.

NJJ

432 posts

79 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
I like them, they are a bit special and perfect little city car for when the big beasts are lurking tucked up in a warm garage. A good buy a few years ago but a big ask now @ £30k plus. They are super rare though.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
mmcd87 said:
What would you have started with that offers a similar package?
Personally? Ford Fiesta Mk7.5 but with completely redone dash and infotainment.

mike9009

6,917 posts

242 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
xjay1337 said:
mmcd87 said:
What would you have started with that offers a similar package?
Personally? Ford Fiesta Mk7.5 but with completely redone dash and infotainment.
A Smart Roadster..... with a manual gearbox....

g4ry13

16,887 posts

254 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
I wonder if this is one of those cars which will become collectible in 10-20 years.

£30k for what is effectively an iQ is obviously a ridiculous proposition.

PGNSagaris

2,926 posts

165 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Embarrassing heap of overpriced st

castex

4,935 posts

272 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
It's a curiosity. I quite like it.

to3m

1,226 posts

169 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Always thought the overly thick covering of heavily-stitched leather everywhere looks just too weird. Needs a bigger car to contain it. The interior here just isn't to the right scale.

(I won't say anything about bright red being perhaps not the most flattering colour, since I don't think I've ever seen a Cygnet interior that looks good...)

But maybe I'd change my mind if I sat in one?

wst

3,494 posts

160 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
It's a shame it's not based on the Aygo/C1, it'd be a hoot to race against the C1's...

The1Driver

727 posts

151 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Is that a typo..... How is this still worth more than 30k!

Edited by The1Driver on Saturday 18th November 21:35

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
The1Driver said:
Is that a type..... How is this still worth more than 30k!
That's the thing. If you were forced to buy a city car then not only is this a nice place to sit while you get carved up by belligerent black cab driver, it also won't lose a whole heap of money when it's time to sell. It's just the initial purchase price that is tough to stomach.

mc_blue

2,548 posts

217 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Are these actually "worth" this much now? I.e. are they selling or has someone just decided to stick one up at £30k so everyone else has followed?

LuS1fer

41,085 posts

244 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
quotequote all
Same idea but I preferred this