Aston Martin Cygnet

What‘s it? If there have been a prize to the daftest car to become launched thus far this century, the new Aston Martin Cygnet would have to become a strong contender. This, a minimum of, is what most people that buy city cars will think. For many the strategies small means cheap, and also the Cygnet breaks every rule. At £30, 995 the baby Aston costs greater than double the value from the £12, 500 Toyota that donated all its major components — body, chassis, suspension, engine transmission. To the extra cost you receive a proper Aston paint-job, an excellent hand-fitted and bespoke interior (with as much leather hides inside it as are had the need to trim a DB9 ), a series of body mods that give the Cygnet its own visual identity (including an excellent extruded aluminium grille from a similar supplier as does to the million-pound One-77 ) and also the magic from the Aston Martin name. What’s it like? The Cygnet is very differ from other Aston Martin. At just three metres overall it‘s the smallest Aston in history. It‘s its first dedicated city car, and it‘s probably the slowest Aston in modern times, achieving just 106 mph flat out, and sprinting from 0-60 mph in 11. 5 seconds — greater than twice time it will take other contemporary Aston. What is a reason why we want it? First, because Aston realises that a lot of its owners also need nippy inner-city transport, and would enjoy driving a luxurious baby Aston if there have been one available. Second, because tough taxes are coming for manufacturers of thirsty cars ; the Cygnet’s combined consumption of 54 mpg, plus its modest 120g / km CO2 output, help counterbalance Aston’s monsters. Actually, using the optional CVT (which costs another £1000 or so ) these figures are hardly special for such a little car, but they’re a helluva lot better than what you will get given by a DB9. Inside the flesh, the car is impressive. The Aston paint process gives it a glass-like paint finish (they use a similar finishing techniques as for any £150, 000 Aston ) and when you sample the comfort from the hand-finished interior, with every surface covered either in handbag-quality leather, Alcantara or first-quality carpet, you begin to begin to see the millionaire’s case to the Cygnet. The main components can be by Toyota (and none the worse for the ) however the see-touch-feel details are Aston’s own, stuff like new instrument graphics, special metal inner door handles, an excellent polished alloy gear-gate, a bespoke alloy shift lever and lots more. On an open road, unsurprisingly, the car is all iQ, quietened somewhat by its denser trim. Even the tyre sizes are iQ, though the wheels (standard eight-spoke alloys or an optional 16-spoke set ) are made in Aston’s own studios. The 97bhp four-cylinder engine feels and sounds energetic as much as 50-60 mph. The optional CVT transmission gives easy step-off at traffic lights. During this car it it’s a far better option inside a city car than any fiddly five-speeder. The Cygnet can produce a quite refined cruising performance on motorways if required, though passing performance isn’t its forte. The steering is feather-light and nicely accurate. In case you haven’t sampled an IQ you’ll be surprised from the sheer pleasure that flows from using its scooter-like turning circle, most especially when it’s a viable three-seater, which will occasionally manage four in case you don’t mind having no boot space. Should I buy one? Depends who you are as a new you. If you’re rich and therefore are open to the idea of a luxurious little city car that may be selected from options collection of a brand new Aston supercar, you‘ll adore the Cygnet. Around 400 people, nearly all big Aston owners, have ordered one, and also the company reckons it may sell 1500 a year. If you’re not one of these simple people, don’t worry about this. Just don’t give the Aston Martin Cygnet another thought.  Aston Martin Cygnet 1. 33 autoPrice : £30. 995 ; Top speed : 106 mph ; 0-60mph : 11. 5 sec ; Economy : 54. 3 mpg ; CO2 : 120 g / km ; Kerb weight : 920kg ; Engine type, cc : 4cyl 16v 1. 33 litre petrol ; Power : 97bhp at 6000 rpm ; Torque : 92 lb ft at 4000 rpm ; Gearbox : CVT Aston Martin Cygnet