Aston Martin launches the Cygnet

You arrange the test drives and I'm game! nt.

Dino944 — Wed, 11 May 2011 10:00:00 -0500

Nt.

We should get together for a testdrive!

Martin Green — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:00:13 -0500

First some testdrives in cars like this, then dinner, drinks and a lot of watches. We can call it "Rev Revolution"-day!

Martin

Now that's what I'd call a real Aston Martin! nt.

Dino944 — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:05:16 -0500

nt.

But I'll bet this one get's your blood pumping into the right direction!

Martin Green — Mon, 09 May 2011 05:45:39 -0500

They other end of the Aston Martin spectrum.

Martin

bold move

time2tic — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:37:43 -0500

but surely does not make me dream at all...

No re-badged vehicle for me...

Dino944 — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:30:26 -0500

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the info on AM's owners. Yes, I remember reading that Ulrich Bez was still with AM.
I think AM's Rapide, DBS, and One-77 are exceotional automobiles....so to me the Cygnet just doesn't fit in with the AM family, although I understand why they are doing it.

I agree with you on not wanting to see a re-badged Fiat 500 as a Baby Ferrari or Maser. Although, I'm sure Ferrari won't have to go that route as they've been doing R&D on some green vehicles, plus they are under the Fiat umbrella (so the Fiat products raise the overall fleet mileage). I have to admit I'm not a fan of their new FF. I've just never dreamed of owning a Ferrari hatchback. I just keep hoping they won't release a Ferrari sedan or SUV to try to compete with the Panamera or Cayenne.

Best regards,
Dino

To Cygnet or not to Cygnet

Martin Green — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 02:05:33 -0500

Hi Dino,

Currently Aston Martin is owned by a consortium headed by Pro-drive owner and long time Aston Martin enthousiast David Richards, with Ulrich Bez still in place as CEO. I'm very impressed by the cars they currently put on the road; from the slightly refined new generation of DB9, to the sleek Rapide and the out of this world One 77.

This Cygnet is certainly the exception to the rule. I agree with you that the typical Aston Martin styling aspects looks strange on the Cygnet. I also don't understand who would buy this. I wouldn't even buy a regular IQ since I think it is simply too small, and has no business outside the down town area of any city. I also think Aston Martin could have found better, slightly larger but still fuel efficient, cars to use for the Cygnet.

For now I just give them credit that they dare to be different. I just hope for them that Ferrari/Maserati doesn't decide to follow suit and re-badge and re-work a Fiat 500. That car has much, much more potential in my opinion, not to mention better looks!

Have a great day!

Martin

Hi Martin...

Dino944 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:30:28 -0500

Hi Martin,

I've lost track of who owns AM since Ford sold them several years ago. Yes its a strategic move required to improve overall vehicle fleet mileage. However, my understanding is that this new vehicle is essentially a re-badged/re-worked Toyota IQ. It could be a great success for them, or it could be the next Chrysler TC by Maserati. While I understand the purpose of this Aston, I find the AM styling elements silly looking and would probably just by the Toyota version... and then sell a kidney or cornea and save up for a real Aston.

Best regards,
Dino

Let's be honest

Martin Green — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:55:33 -0500

Since Aston Martin is not owned by a large car making conglomerate it has much difficulty complying with CO2 regulations for its cars. Since the rule of the average counts for the whole conglomerate brands like Lamborghini (Volkswagen), Porsche (also Volkswagen), Bentley (again...Volkswagen), Ferrari (Fiat) and Maserati (Fiat) don’t have this problem since the other brands produce more than enough fuel efficient cars to compensate for their "bad" behavior.

Personally I think that this car has nothing to do with an Aston Martin.

Martin

even for free..

SteveW — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:17:35 -0500

...not sure I'd take one. Unless, of course, it came with bond gadgets in it, then it's instantly cool!

The only way I'd be interested in having one...

Dino944 — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:34:43 -0500

is if they give it to you for free when you buy a Rapide, DB9, DBS, V8 Vantage. That way you have a car to use when the "Real Aston" is being serviced, or when the weather is bad and you don't want to mess up the recent detailing job done on your Rapide, DB9, DBS etc.

Best regards,
Dino

Interesting but . . .

IanS — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:59:00 -0500

Does anyone think James Bond will whiz around London in one. Well he does appear to promote anything for money, but it isn't really an Aston for me.

Aston Martin launches the Cygnet

MarkS — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:32:13 -0600

In your opinion is this "the coolest accessory in town" or not ? I don't know yet for that one.