Skip advert
Advertisement

Aston Martin Cygnet revealed

Aston Martin's ugly duckling becomes a reality as the Cygnet city car is revealed

Aston Martin lovers look away – the brand’s most controversial car has become a reality. This is the Cygnet, a reclothed Toyota iQ that takes the British supercar firm sub-£20K and into the world of low emission city cars. The car was announced in the summer, but with just an image of a clay model alongside the news, it was relatively easy to stomach. Aston’s latest pictures of the car shot in a studio make the Cygnet very real. Of course, the car’s 113g/km of carbon emissions will do Aston’s range average the world of good. The DBS emits more than triple that. That sub 120g/km figure comes from the Cygnet’s predicted engine choice, the iQ’s range-topping 97bhp 1.3-litre. The Toyota covers 0-62mph in a dizzying 11.8sec and goes on to a 106mph top speed. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cygnet lags behind those figures, though, as its transformation from Japanese city car to Aston abomination has seen lashings of kit and trim thrown at it. All that leather and luxury inside will pump the kerb weight up a bit (the iQ’s is 930kg) but it’s the exterior that concerns us most: the full complement of current Aston design cues have been squeezed into the design, with a grafted-on grille, fake bonnet vents, 16in alloys, side vents and rear lights that ape the DB9 and Vantage. Even the door handles give a nod to modern Aston Martins. It’s dubbed a concept for now, with work ongoing into 2010, but the project appears too far in for Aston to change its mind now. Sales are set to begin by the end of next year, with order books initially open to existing Aston customers, but with general sale expected to follow. The annual sales target is 1000 to 2000 units. What do you think then? How can Aston Martin release such a car when the company’s tagline is ‘Power, Beauty and Soul’? Fire your views at the Forum… Follow evo’s Twitter or Facebook page for the latest car news

Advertisement - Article continues below

Click to watch an evo video of a REAL Aston Martin in action

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week
Hot hatch test
Features

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test three of the most sophisticated hot hatches on sale against each other on road and track – these are our favourite…
29 Mar 2025
Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses
Honda Civic Type R FN2
Features

Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses

Its lineage contains some hot hatch greats, but the late-noughties Civic wasn’t one of them
26 Mar 2025
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 – front
Reviews

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power

A screaming 296bhp Honda VTEC engine and a full chassis upgrade package turn the NC-generation Mazda MX-5 into something altogether more thrilling
25 Mar 2025