The 4-passenger Cygnet, based on Toyota's iQ city car, is meant to provide Aston Martin owners something more practical for daily use within cities and still offer said owners the level of exclusivity they desire. That means it can be ordered with all the same interior and exterior colors, leathers, and materials found on any other Aston.
While based on a Toyota, the Cygnet will officially be manufactured as its own standalone model - a coach-built compact, if you will - in Warwickshire, England. An official announcement has not been made regarding the power train, but it will likely get the iQ's standard 3-cylinder (possibly with a sport intake/exhaust setup).
By Phil Alex
_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________
Originally shown as a pre-production concept car at this year's Geneva Salon in March, the Cygnet is an Aston Martin-flavored version of the Toyota iQ city car with unique styling cues such as the front grille, bumper designs, exterior trim and alloy wheels, plus a high-luxury interior with details inspired by the automaker's supercar range.
"It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don't make compromises" says Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.
"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."
Dr Bez added: "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."
The baby Aston Martin will be built at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, with the base Toyota iQs being imported to the UK from Japan. It is expected that the three-meter long (117.5-in.) Cygnet will keep the iQs 1.33-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 98-horsepower, hooked up to a 6-speed manual or an optional CVT.
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
In a letter sent by Aston Martin to the NHTSA, the British carmaker reported that the camber bolt that holds the front bottom suspension arm was not made to specification and "could crank along its shank" (shaft).
According to the company, this would allow the lower control arm to move freely, affecting the driver's ability to steer, and thus increasing the risk of a crash. The letter went on to say that drivers may hear a metallic rattling sound if the lower control arm had loosened in such a fashion.
An Aston Martin spokesperson told Bloomberg news that the defect was detected through company testing, not through any customer complaints. He went on to say that the driver would still be able to steer, but may notice 'looser handling'.
To rectify the defect, dealers will replace the affected camber bolts free of charge. Aston Martin has notified the NHTSA that the safety recall will begin on or before October 18th of this year.
By Tristan Hankins
Source: NHTSA / Bloomberg
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
Throughout the video you'll see some beautiful details of the million-dollar (actually £1.25 million) Aston flagship, including the side mirror mounts molded into the door shells and close-ups of the wraparound jewel-like tail light.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, says, "The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project. Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of."
Come 2011, sheiks, rulers, and Daniel Craig should expect to receive their own customized version from the 77 one-offs Aston intends to build. Hopefully at Paris we'll get a chance to see it in a new color.
By Phil Alex
The automaker said work on the new chassis and powerplant has been progressing for several months at Aston Martin Racing's headquarters in Banbury, UK and the first of a limited number of six cars will hit the tarmac in early 2011.
Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards said:
"Having won the GT category twice at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 and the Le Mans Series outright in 2009, we still want to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the 24 Hour race overall to bring the title back to Britain."
"In recent years, it has been impossible for petrol cars to compete on equal terms with the diesels. However, we now have assurances from the ACO [Automobile Club De L'Oues] that, with the adoption of the 2011 regulations, they will properly balance the performance of these new cars. Under these circumstances we have been prepared to develop Aston Martin's first purpose-built racing chassis and engine for more than 50 years."
"Even with this new car, it will still be a 'David and Goliath' fight against the massive resources of our competitors, but we have become accustomed to this and relish the challenge."
The first and only time Aston Martin won the Le Mans was in 1959 with the DBR1 of Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. However, the British firm has had two GT1 class victories at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008, and an overall Le Mans series win in 2009.
Fortunately - for one buyer at least - such a car exists. At Barsons' British Heritage Sale at Sandown Park, a very rare Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III drophead coupe went up on the auction block with an asking price of £80,000-£100,000 (US$123,000-US$154,000). Not too extravagant; one could easily afford a spanking-new Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster or Coupe for that measly amount.
By the conclusion of the sale, however, this particular DB2/4 had fetched the rather more Barsons'-esque price of £206,866 (US$318,875). The Aston, once owned by company founder David Brown and which had spent the better part of thirty years under a tarpaulin, fetched twice Barson's top estimate.
Barons' Managing Director Laurence Sayers Gillan was quoted: "It was an amazing lot that attracted a huge amount of attention and exceeded all expectations."
And with the auction making around £700,000 (US$1.08 million), Sayers Gillan was no doubt laughing all the way to the bank. Recession? What recession?
Also auctioned off – albeit at far more mundane prices – were a very special '66 Lotus Cortina (£40,250 / US$62,000) and a '57 Daimler Conquest Century convertible (£29,000 / US$44,700). One can only speculate on the condition and pedigree of these vehicles given their "humble" sale prices.
By Tristan Hankins
These include the Alfa Romeo Stradale 50, a mid-engined supercar said to combine the curvy lines of the 8C Competizione with the more angular detailing of the 159 and Brera; the Duesenberg 2100 that revives the iconic brand from Indiana with a futuristic take on the Art Deco theme; the exotic BMW Formula 1; the Ginetta G80 sports coupe and last but not least, the Aston Martin Viceroy. Follow the jump below for the photo gallery.
Source: Carbodydesign & Swansea University
Alfa Romeo Stradale 50 - Designed by Chris Connolly
Duesenberg 2100 - Designed by Christopher
____________________________________________________________________
Aston Martin Viceroy - Designed by Christopher Chilcott
____________________________________________________________________
BMW Formula 1 - Designed by Guy Bancroft-Livingston
____________________________________________________________________
Ginetta G80 by - Designed Alan Matthews
