Aston Martin must have felt the need to raise their fleet’s overall mpg. So, rather than produce an electric Vantage, they borrowed a Toyota/Scion IQ and made it look like a 2/3rd scale model, after it hit a wall – – – hard.
I am speechless. Roman Mica, (TFLCar.com head honcho) is speechless. Aston Martin fans are speechless. Great Britain is speechless. My rabbi is speechless. Most gear-heads in general are speechless and I bet Pope Benedict XVI is too.
Sadly, my male copulatory organ is speechless as well. Why do I mention that? Because every Aston Martin built over the last half century or so has given me, and many of you, wood. Alas, the tallywacker finds nothing to salute in the Cygnet.
The Aston Martin Cygnet will have Toyota’s 1.3-liter 4-cylinder VVT-i (variable-valve-timing) engine that produces 98 horsepower and roughly 91 lbs of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and perhaps a six-speed manual will send the immense power to the front wheels.
I’m guessing the 0 to 60 mph times will be about 14 seconds (the Scion/Toyota IQ is about 13 seconds, but this Cygnet will have a lot of additional weight given its luxury amenities).
Look, I like the Toyota/Scion IQ as it makes for a unique economy vehicle and I look forward to driving one; but 20 to 30K more for a nicer interior? Sheesh. I sincerely hope I’m wrong about the Cygnet’s absolute lack of performance, other than mpg. It is a quick solution for Aston Martin to lower their aforementioned corporate fuel consumption numbers – that much is for sure.
Who knows? Maybe it will be a fun ride – (sigh) – maybe it won’t.
“With Cygnet we have created a car that is breaking into a new automotive space. Previously small has meant a compromise to materials and craftsmanship; Cygnet is a small car without compromise to either quality or craftsmanship. It looks and feels like an Aston Martin, with a hand crafted interior comparable to our current sports cars. Cygnet is painted, trimmed and assembled by the same technicians that make our sports car range to ensure that it delivers the same high quality experience.” – – Aston Martin
Prices, which have not been officially announced, have been estimated by experts to be between $35,000 and $45,000. I suppose the one positive I can take from the Aston Martin Cygnet is the remote possibility of being able to afford one even on my measly earnings.
…In 20 years.
If I actually wanted to – which I don’t.
Neither do you.
Man… I hope I’m wrong about this.
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Here’s TFLCar’s Roman Mica in a REAL sports car!
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