It's not a joke. Aston Martin has taken a Toyota iQ and modified it to create the Cygnet.
To create the Cygnet concept, Aston Martin took the familiar styling cues from the other Aston Martin models like the DBS and upcoming Rapide and applied them to Toyota's tiny iQ. For now the car remains purely a concept, but Aston Martin hopes to have a production version ready for European customers in 2010.
PRESS RELEASE:
Aston Martin Cygnet Concept
Aston Martin today releases the first official images of the 'Cygnet' - a new luxury commuter concept car.
The Cygnet concept represents a creative, environmentally conscious solution, being small, yet with presence - and highly fuel efficient, now combined with the prestige of Aston Martin's luxury brand ownership.
Work on the concept is ongoing and will continue into 2010 when it is hoped that it will become a production reality initially available to Aston Martin customers in the UK and Europe.
Comments (16)
Unless it had a V12, I would never buy this abomination.
Posted by LeMonster | December 16, 2009 10:47 AM
Posted on December 16, 2009 10:47
I can't tell you how unsuspecting this mashup is. Totally out of left field.
If this really, really, really goes into production, what could the price possibly be? Would someone interested in something like an A-Class Benz pay a serious a premium on this?
Posted by Kawi | December 16, 2009 10:52 AM
Posted on December 16, 2009 10:52
Better question. If this...thing was released, how would you feel if you owned a $200,000-$300,000 authentic Austin Martin? How would you feel if you owned a new DB9 and someone pulled up next to you in that? Super-car companies should not be involved in poor catastrophes like this. It's a disgrace to its prior rich owners. The 4-door was risky enough...this is an instant fail.
Posted by Blue Z34 | December 16, 2009 11:27 AM
Posted on December 16, 2009 11:27
Two words - epic fail!
Posted by Totenglocke | December 16, 2009 11:31 AM
Posted on December 16, 2009 11:31
Well another question that pops into my mind is what about the iQ?
I mean a Tesla is more or less a Lotus, just retooled and built up for electric. And that's a lot of work and that's what you are paying for.
Does this thing have a rebuilt suspension/powertrain? Or just a makeover and new interior?
I agree that if this was released, it should be in limited numbers to keep the apperance of exclusivity.
Posted by Brian | December 16, 2009 12:23 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 12:23
But would Jame Bond drive it? :)
Posted by harryo | December 16, 2009 1:28 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 13:28
Stupid governments and stupid fuel regulations, especially for low production number companies. This does nothing but degrade Aston. A turd with icing doesn't make a wedding cake, it is still just a turd with icing.
Posted by Avatar | December 16, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 13:37
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the 2010 Aston Martin Cimmaron...er I..... ummmm ......mean, the Cygnet...(cue the sound of crickets)
Posted by longdxcommuter | December 16, 2009 3:05 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 15:05
That would look sooooo good out on the links.
"Hey Wang, what's with the camera? It's a parking lot"
Turbo uber fail...
Posted by Trooper Bri | December 16, 2009 3:41 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 15:41
i dont know ...but for an ultra-mini , this actually looks above average, not to say cool. .. but for an Aston Martin this has got to be the prank of the millenium ...
Let Porsche do this kind of crap ( they did do it with the Cayene and the panamera) .. If they fitted a 1.6 Turbo boxer in it this kind of small racer migt make a nice suicide device
Posted by s_howl | December 16, 2009 10:50 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 22:50
Positive - Best damn looking Mini Car ever.
Negative- It's a Mini Car.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | December 17, 2009 12:03 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 00:03
Wow, you all talk as though each and every one of you owns a respective Aston, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maybach, you name it! I have colleagues who own cars well over $200,000...and guess what??? They still SERIOUSLY own Smarts, Camrys, Minis, Civics...essentially your cheap econo-boxes. Don't think for a second that the wealthy and filthy rich drive "expensive" cars on a daily basis. Better question is: How often do you see cars on the streets with a price tag of over $100,000? Uh, not often. That's because owners of those cars have the sensibility to only drive them once in a blue moon for various reasons.
This car actually has an existing demographic. For example, many of my colleagues are "eco-conscious" fruits who drive fuel misers with every option listed; this car may suit them. Some of those colleagues can afford cars over $1 million, but refuse to because of the "harm" they do to the environment; this car may change their image of Aston to some degree. Furthermore, there are those who are brand loyalists; you can be an Aston loyalist and have your 16-year-old drive a Cygnet. Heck, no more Aston parked next to a Honda! And then there are the poseurs who want to own an "expensive" marque for bragging rights, but can't afford to. Well, here comes the Cygnet!
Possibilities are endless...but implying that a demographic doesn't exist for such a vehicle is pure idiocy.
Posted by lotsofTRidiots | December 17, 2009 9:26 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 09:26
I can see the price tag now... $12,000 for the car, $40,000 for the name plate, and $60,000 for all the added bling.
Posted by 426Hemi | December 17, 2009 10:22 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 10:22
lotsofTRidiots:
"Better question is: How often do you see cars on the streets with a price tag of over $100,000? Uh, not often. That's because owners of those cars have the sensibility to only drive them once in a blue moon for various reasons."
It's because they are a major target for car theft, that's the real reason. Go drive around in a 200,000 dollar car on a daily basis and you won't have that car for long.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | December 17, 2009 9:35 PM
Posted on December 17, 2009 21:35
lotsofTRidiots
No one has claimed to own any one of the rich latter that you spoke of, however all I'm saying is that when I do become rich enough to afford one I would immediately cross Aston off of my list if this awful atrocity was produced. This car is a job for the Smarts and Toyotas and Minis that you spoke of...not Aston Martin. Why should such a presigious automobile manufacturer stoop to their level? Furthermore, if this thing's performance numbers are anything close to as bad as it looks, then yes, it really will change Aston's image. Its car line up will be: rich, rich, rich, rich, oooo...poor...
Posted by Blue Z34 | December 17, 2009 10:46 PM
Posted on December 17, 2009 22:46
"How often do you see cars on the streets with a price tag of over $100,000?"
In my area, a lot actually. There is actually a dealer here who is a Lambo, Maserati, Bentley, Rolls, Aston, Saab, Caddy, GMC, Pontiac, and Buick dealer all in one, so that should give you an idea as to what people drive around where I live. However, I choose to have many vehicles vs a few expensive ones and cheap ones. I see no real point in driving around in something that I could have basically bought a house/gear/property instead and made money off of vs lose money since vehicles depreciate so fast. That to me seems rather idiotic.
Posted by Avatar | December 17, 2009 10:47 PM
Posted on December 17, 2009 22:47