Perhaps responding to criticisms that its products all look like variations on the same vehicle, Aston Martin has announced plans to create an altogether different concept vehicle, called Cygnet.

As it’s infantile moniker suggests, the Cygnet is perhaps the smallest car to wear the Aston badge to date—owing in large part to the fact that it is built around Toyota’s urban car, the iQ. (Yes, we thought that was a weird choice too.) Cygnet’s goal is to create an environmentally friendly, small, and reliable car, all with the presence and styling panache that Aston is known for. The supercar builder tells us that we should consider the Cygnet to be roughly analogous to an, “exclusive tender to a luxury yacht.”

We’ll reserve full judgment of the concept until we can get a better look at it, though at first blush we can’t help but feel this smacks of the very strange. Shouldn’t this be debuted in early April?

Read on below for the full press release.

The concept will offer Aston Martin trademark design in a commuter car package based on the critically acclaimed Toyota iQ with a Euro NCAP 5-star safety package.

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.

Aston Martin, the world leader in exclusive niche engineering is collaborating on this concept with Toyota the world leader in volume, quality and reliability. Although vastly different in size, Toyota and Aston Martin share the philosophy of engineering excellence and innovation underlined by a strong passion for cars.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.”

“Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future. This concept – akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht – will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.”
Aston Martin Announces City Car Cygnet Concept

Aston Martin Cygnet Concept

Perhaps responding to criticisms that its products all look like variations on the same vehicle, Aston Martin has announced plans to create an altogether different concept vehicle, called Cygnet.

As it’s infantile moniker suggests, the Cygnet is perhaps the smallest car to wear the Aston badge to date—owing in large part to the fact that it is built around Toyota’s urban car, the iQ. (Yes, we thought that was a weird choice too.) Cygnet’s goal is to create an environmentally friendly, small, and reliable car, all with the presence and styling panache that Aston is known for. The supercar builder tells us that we should consider the Cygnet to be roughly analogous to an, “exclusive tender to a luxury yacht.”

We’ll reserve full judgment of the concept until we can get a better look at it, though at first blush we can’t help but feel this smacks of the very strange. Shouldn’t this be debuted in early April?

Read on below for the full press release.

Gaydon, Monday 29 June 2009. Aston Martin has developed a new luxury commuter concept; the ‘Cygnet’ which will offer customers a distinctive, intelligent and exclusive solution for urban travel in style and luxury.

The concept will offer Aston Martin trademark design in a commuter car package based on the critically acclaimed Toyota iQ with a Euro NCAP 5-star safety package.

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.

Aston Martin, the world leader in exclusive niche engineering is collaborating on this concept with Toyota the world leader in volume, quality and reliability. Although vastly different in size, Toyota and Aston Martin share the philosophy of engineering excellence and innovation underlined by a strong passion for cars.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.”

“Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future. This concept – akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht – will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.”