The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The motoring press loved the V8 Cygnet
The Cygnet is back... albeit as a V8 one-off
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 12 July 2018 the public and press alike were stunned by the return of the Cygnet – in V8 form. Dubbed the ‘The Ultimate City Car’, a one-off Aston Martin Cygnet was built with a 4.7-litre, 430bhp V8 engine from the Vantage S. According to Aston Martin, the V8 Cygnet was “brought to life for a single customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service.”
The starting point of the project was a right-hand drive Cygnet steel body shell and panels. A roll cage was welded in with the addition of a new front bulkhead and transmission tunnel to accommodate the 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 from the Vantage S. The subframes and suspension were also derived from the previous generation Vantage. The gearbox is also taken from the V8 Vantage S with a seven-speed Sportshift II transmission taking care of the shifting. Power is transferred via a miniature torque tube to the 9.5” rear wheels, which are complemented by 275/35 Bridgestone tyres.
The V8 Cygnet caused a media frenzy, and everyone decided that despite its impracticality this is what the Cygnet deserved.