Aston Martin confirms city-car

ASTON MARTIN this week confirmed that the tiny Cygnet city-car, which is based on the Toyota iQ, will go into production in 2011.

Despite its humble origins, the British supercar manufacturer promises the three-metre-long Cygnet will be “without compromise”.

Although Aston Martin claims the car will be produced at the company’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire – becoming “the eighth major production car” it has introduced there since 2004 – it is more likely to be a Holden/HSV-style final fit-out rather than full-scale production.

Toyota builds the iQ in Japan, where it went on sale in October 2008, followed by the UK in January 2009. A North American version will be sold as a Scion from 2011.

Aston Martin’s leather-lined version was presented as a concept at the Geneva motor show in March and is clearly designed to help the company meet future corporate average fuel economy targets.

Pricing and specifications will not be revealed until later in the year, but reports suggest it will cost £30,000 ($A52,800) and be powered by the 1.3-litre Toyota four-cylinder engine, which produces only 72kW of power and 123Nm of torque.

It is expected to be available in Australia in 2012, soon after US sales commence, with an all-electric version to follow in 2013.

Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez said Cygnet will set a new benchmark for compact luxury and demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation and integrity, so it will be interesting to see how much it differs from the Toyota iQ.

“It is time to think differently,” said Dr Bez.

“Aston Martin is honest and we don’t make compromises. Whatever we do, we do right. If we do performance, we do performance we don’t downsize or compromise our sports cars.

“The Cygnet needs to satisfy the demands of emissions and space. It is a car without compromise, just like every other Aston Martin.

“Our customers need a small car for urban and city use, and they want the right tools for the right job, to downsize creatively without compromising intelligence, artistry and personality.

“The Cygnet is designed to support our sports cars by providing a greater degree of freedom in the urban context it is a very special car, a premium but compact package with heart, soul and personality.

“This car is reality Cygnet is the natural choice for those who want a premium, bespoke commuter car.”

Aston Martin design director Marek Reichman promised that each Cygnet would be hand-finished and unique, with “an almost unlimited palette of materials, colours and textures” from which to choose.

“Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor-fit for the city,” said Mr Reichman. “Luxury is not constrained by scale.”