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Video: Aston Martin bigwigs describe the Cygnet
Now that Aston Martin has finally given the green light on the production of the car, the company is now in full promotional swing for the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet. In this video featuring company boss Dr. Ulrich Bez and design chief Marek Reichman, the two describe the rationale behind the production of the Cygnet, one of which, as Dr. Bez describes it, is giving customers the option for a more practical city car to drive around cities while not compromising on the luxury that the company is famously known for. Meanwhile, Reichmann tells us with a straight face that the Cygnet will give customers the same experience as they would in driving any of other Aston Martin’s sports car. While we seriously doubt that, we couldn’t help but notice how the two stayed away from telling everyone that only Aston Martin customers can purchase a Cygnet, leaving everyone else to “settle” for its almost identical, yet less luxurious counterpart, the iQ. Aston Martin Cygnet production begins in 2011
 
For such a small car, the Aston Martin Cygnet sure is dragging itself out. The small city car has already been set for production and has already confirmed its trip over to our side of the pond, but Aston Martin felt it necessary to confirm that the smallest model ever built by Aston Martin will go into production in 2011 at the company’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. "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 Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3 liter engine delivering a total of 97-hp with a top speed of 105 mph. An electric-only version with a 60-mile range will arrive in 2013. In case you are in the mood to purchase the rebadged Toyota iQ, the Cygnet will be priced at $35,000 in the U.S., but remember, you’ll only get to buy one if you already own an Aston Martin. Those are the rules, but if you don’t have the luxury of owning an Aston then you can always move on to plan B: buy the Toyota. Press release after the jump. Full story Aston Martin Cygnet coming to USA
When Aston Martin first unveiled the Cygnet they announced that it would only be offered in Europe, and only to those customers who already owned an Aston Martin model. Oh, how things change, as Aston Martin has now stated that the Cygnet will be making its way over to the US in 2012. What we don’t get is why Aston Martin would put a more expensive, rebadged Toyota iQ in the States. Sure, cars like this would make sense in highly congested cities or for people who like to throw some extra money away for a badge that says Aston, but, overall, wouldn’t people just buy the cheaper iQ? When the Cygnet is offered in 2012, it will come with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine. An electric-only version with a 60-mile range will arrive in 2013. In the USA, the mini car will be priced at a steep $35,000. Of course, this price is nothing compared to the $200K for the newly launched Rapide sedan, but the rule still stands, only current Aston Martin owners can purchase the Cygnet. All the rest of us will just have to stick with the iQ if we want a vehicle like this, which is just fine by us. Aston Martin launches wallpaper configurator for the Cygnet
For all intents and purposes, the Aston Martin Cygnet and the Toyota iQ are mirror images of one another and if you’re looking for any styling differences apart from the different badges on the car, chances are, you’re going to have a hard time finding any. For the life of us, we don’t know why Aston Martin even contemplated on re-badging an iQ to become a Cygnet. It’s not a knock on Toyota by any means; it’s just that Aston could have just made something themselves. They are, after all, a car maker, yes? In any case, Aston Martin is driving up its marketing for the Cygnet by launching a wallpaper generator on the company’s official website. In the website, users can put on their artistic hats and mix-and-match the Cygnet with a wide choice of colors – there are costumes, would you believe – and download their finished creation on their computers or cell phones. Given that the Cygnet is only available to previous and present Aston Martin owners, most of us will have to settle for this configurator if we have any plans of buying one. Unless there’s an Aston in your garage, you’re out of luck with trying to get your hands on a Cygnet. 2011 Aston Martin Cygnet
It seems like it’s been forever since we found out that Aston Martin was releasing the re-badged version of the Toyota iQ, which they began calling the Cygnet. The wait was longer than what we expected, but finally, Aston martin has lifted the covers off of the Cygnet at the Geneva Motor Show. According to Aston Martin, 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." The Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3 liter engine delivering a total of 97-hp with a top speed of 105 mph. Like what we said: the Cygnet is, effectively, an iQ for the elite; and by elite, we don’t mean just any other rich person that has money to burn. Limited to only 2000 units, the Cygnet is only available to people who currently have an Aston Martin parked in their garage so even if, say, you’re a millionaire who puts cash on your dining table as a centerpiece, you’re out of luck. Unless you own an Aston Martin, you can’t get your hands on a Cygnet. UPDATE 09/01/2010: Aston Martin has just announced that the Cygnet will become available in the USA in 2012, but potential buyers will still have to own an Aston in order to purchase the hatchback. UPDATE 12/14/2011: Aston Martin has unveiled a new video of the small Cygnet in which they present the exquisite craftsmanship. Enjoy! Press release after the jump. Full story Video: French Parkourers gets introduced to the Aston Martin Cygnet
If you’re one of those people that have been waiting for the Aston Martin Cygnet to hit local dealerships, then you probably haven’t heard the news surrounding the Cygnet and how the car won’t be making its way to the US anytime soon. Despite this disappointing news, we’re still suckers for some pretty cool viral marketing and this video featuring a couple of guys partaking on a nice round of Parkour – a French freestyle urban sport – at an Aston Martin facility is just the kind of video that gets us all geeked up for the Cygnet. Unfortunately for us in the US, this is as close as we can probably get to a Cygnet, which is unfortunate because the car looks to be one of those hatchbacks you’d be proud to be driving out on the streets. Want a Cygnet? There may be a few snags
For those of you planning on buying a new Aston Martin Cygnet compact we might have some very bad news for you. Only existing Aston Martin owners will have the opportunity to purchase their own super city car. The coach built Toyota iQ will retail for around $35,000 and production will be kept to 2000 units. More bad news, Aston has no plans of selling it in the U.S. market, proving once again that the American market is not ready to see the value of a premium compact. The Cygnet is essentially a Toyota iQ with custom bodywork as well as a complete interior transformation. The Cygnet is powered by a 97 HP 1.3 Liter engine mated to a continuously variable transmission that will scoot the smallest Aston ever to a 105 MPH top speed. According to Aston Martin, 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." That is along with their usual limited production exclusivity, but for less than a Jaeger-LeCoultre, we couldn’t se why any Aston owner wouldn’t want to pick one of these up as well. | featured reviews: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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