Aston Martin mini in the works

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:07:30 +0000

From supercars to a supermini! These are the amazing pictures that will have car fans shaking their heads in disbelief. But it really is true…

Aston Martin is building a model that’s even smaller than a Ford Fiesta!

Based on the Toyota iQ, the Cygnet is the result of a joint venture with the Japanese giant. Details are scarce at the moment, but the tiniest Aston Martin ever is expected to share the same three-cylinder petrol engine as the iQ, along with its innovative three- plus-one seating arrangement.

It will also boast a Euro NCAP five-star crash safety rating. And with a low-emission, highly economical engine, the Cygnet will help Aston to meet increasingly stringent environmental targets too.

As you can see, the firm has managed to distill all of the design cues from its supercar range into a package measuring only three metres long.

Inside, expect the same attention to detail as you’d get on the DBS, with a leather-clad cabin featuring the very best materials, along with an ECU (Emotion Control Unit) that plugs into the centre console, replacing a traditional key.

However, not just anyone will be able to buy a Cygnet. In order to snap up one of the must-have urban machines, you have to already own an Aston Martin, as the firm is only making them available to existing customers. The company has identified that around 30 per cent of owners have small cars such as the MINI or Smart ForTwo in their garages, using them for short journeys to and from city-based offices. Now Aston is giving them the chance to buy their very own ‘luxury commuter’.

Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin chief executive, explained more about the Cygnet: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.

Toyota possibly bringing iQ to America

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:19:41 +0000

Toyota’s Chief engineer Hiroki Nakajima told Automotive News today that the company is investigating introducing the three-door city car to the U.S. market. Nakajima said that if the iQ gets official clearance to come to the States, it will most likely be launched in the midterm, before the first model update. Certain safety standards have to be met in order to gain DOT approval, which requires changes to the vehicles airbag system, as well as improve bumper specs.

The iQ is about the size of a Smart car, with a similar configuration. Goes on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2009. It will launch with a 1.0L 3 cylinder gasoline engine, with a 1.3L 4 cyl gas and 1.4L turbo diesel engine following shortly after.

Estimated fuel economy is just over 54mpg. Not too shabby, but with oil at $75 a barrel, not sure if it matters.

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Aston Martin mini in the works

Toyota possibly bringing iQ to America