For some of us, the Toyota iQ is a well made, inoffensive and appropriate alternative to a Smart Car, but with a white coat of paint, it still looks like a dishwasher with windows. Naturally then, it makes perfect sense to change this household appliance into a fizzy little dog that is far too interested in your leg: Toyota is offering a supercharged iQ.

130 bhp and 133 ft-lbs are to be had from the now supercharged version of which only 100 will be offered (outside of the US). This is a lot for a little car and Gazoo Racing, which is largely responsible for what was a Tokyo Auto Salon concept car, will offer a widebody kit to go with it.

The car will be fitted with a six speed manual, stiffer suspension, and an upgraded interior. Despite all of this, it will still fit in that gap under the counter between the sink and the trash compactor.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Aston Martin has confirmed that 50 units of its rebadged Toyota iQ, known as the Cygnet, will be headed to Hong Kong and Japan.

Prices in will start at $603,578 HKD ($77,649 USD)and ¥4,750,000 YEN ($62,621 USD), the Cygnet will offer buyers in those regions a rebadged Toyota iQ with a restyled exterior, a redesigned interior with leather and Alcantara headliner and a GPS navigation.

“Also offered in two distinctive and limited Launch Editions, Cygnet joins Aston Martin’s established pedigree of cars,” Aston said in a statement. “From the breathtaking One-77 supercar and the elegant yet brutal V12 Zagato to the powerful Vantage range and new Virage to the exquisite DB9, DBS and four-door Rapide, every Aston Martin expresses the core values of Power, Beauty and Soul.”

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

We’re sorry Aston but we don’t see Power, Beauty or Soul here. If you’re really wondering how much power the Cygnet offers – well it’s the same as the Toyota iQ with a 1.33 liter 4-cylinder engine making 97-hp and 92 lb-ft of torque. That will allow 0 to 62 mph to come in 2 days (11.8 seconds exactly) with a top speed of 106 mph.

Those interested in Hong Kong and Japan can start ordering now. Deliveries should begin in the first quarter of 2012.

- By: Omar Rana

Two Toyota iQ-based Aston Martin Cygnets competed in this year’s fifth annual Bridgestone Eco-Rally in London. This is Aston Martin’s first ever time participating in the event, which begins in Oxford and ends in central London.

The Aston Martin Cygnet is capable of 55.6 mpg on the UK cycle and Darren Turner, a racing regular, and David King, Aston Martin’s Director of Special Projects will drive the two Cygnets.

“I’m looking forward to demonstrating Cygnet on the Bridgestone Eco-Rally, maybe it’s my one and only chance to beat Darren Turner!” said King.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions:

- By: Omar Rana

Bulgarian custom design studio Vilner chose the Toyota IQ for its latest creative project. With the Smart ForTwo model already on its resume, this will be the company’s second city car.

“When it first appeared on the market in 2008, Toyota IQ set itself the task to become the most attractive vehicle of the subcompact class, but as we know, there can’t be any word about interior luxury in these models,” Vilner said in a statement.

The goal of the IQ was be better looking than all of the other cars in its class. But the class itself is limiting in that respect, until now.

Click here for more news on the Toyota iQ.

Vilner has completely transformed the interior of the IQ for both comfort and style. Nappa leather in an attractive shade of brown cover the seats. In the middle of all the seats is a unique punched pattern, and IQ logos on the headrests. The ceiling is covered in Alcantara with the same pattern as the seats in the center, and laser engraved pieces are placed throughout the car.

Who really needs the Aston Martin Cygnet anyway?

Vilner Toyota iQ:

- By: Alexandra Koken

Sir Stirling Moss is one of the greatest, go-fast men in automotive history. In fact, his driving career with Aston Martin saw him drive a number of the company’s racing cars including the famous DB3S and DBR1 models with great success – so why would he purchase the new Toyota iQ based Aston Martin Cygnet? Well, because it’s not really for him.

Stirling Moss purchased a green Aston Martin Cygnet as a surprise birthday present for wife, Lady Moss.

“One of the closest teams in motorsport for many years, Sir Stirling and Lady Moss planned a private celebratory dinner on the eve of her birthday at the Royal Automobile Club in its clubhouse the century old, ‘palace on Pall Mall’ in London,” Aston Martin said in a statement. “On arrival they were met with the sight of the new Aston Martin Cygnet on display in the magnificent central rotunda – the culmination of six months planning and ‘secret’ correspondence between Sir Stirling and Aston Martin to plan a surprise birthday present for Lady Moss.”

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Sir Stirling Moss said: “My greatest partner in everything that I do, Susie is an amazing person and frankly the best wife a man could have. Since seeing a pre-production Cygnet in January I knew that it was the perfect car for Susie; a proper little piece of British luxury and perfect for our life in town.”

On a side note: We also found out that building a Cygnet takes 150 hours to complete.

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 1,500 units and will sell them for $49,253 a pop.

Stirling Moss and Lady Moss with Aston Martin Cygnet:

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions:

- By: Omar Rana

As reported earlier this morning, Aston Martin hopes to sell 1,500 Cygnets a year, which would end up making the car the brand’s second-bestselling car after the V8 Vantage. The company delivers 2,000 units of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage on an annual basis.

That makes Aston Martin Cygnet price-tag is more than double that of Toyota’s iQ, which it is based on. Toyota provides the engine, transmission and frame for the model. So what does Aston Martin do that pushes the price tag up to $49,253?

“Prior to Cygnet your choice was, you open the door and it smells of plastic; now you open the door, and you’ll be hit by this wonderful smell of leather,” said chief designer Marek Reichman.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

He said that Cygnet buyers will get a leather interior made from seven cow hides, the same amount used in the 125,000-pound DB9 sports car. Aston Martin will also offer buyers six types of alloy wheels and as many as 3 million possible combinations of trim and color options. A navigation, 6-speaker stereo, leather-clad steering wheel and gear shift are all standard.

All we have to say is, there are a lot of better ways to spend $50,000 – especially when you’re going from 0 to 62 mph in 11.6 seconds.

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

The Aston Martin iQ, aka the Aston Martin Cygnet, may seem like a big mistake to enthusiasts and the media, but the brand has a lot of hope for the Toyota iQ-based Aston. Aston Martin will produce (by producing we mean ‘luxuryify’ the iQ) around 1,500 units and will sell them for $49,253 each. That makes Aston’s Cygnet price-tag more than double that of Toyota’s iQ, which provides the engine, transmission and frame for the compact car.

According to Aston Martin spokesman Kevin Watters, Aston hopes to sell 1,500 units of the Cygnet a year, which would end up making the car the company’s second-best seller after the V8 Vantage, which it delivers 2,000 units of on an annual basis.

The Aston Martin Cygnet, which will be the company’s slowest car, goes on sale in June and according to chief designer Marek Reichman:

“It’s not about 0 to 60 speeds, or road holding or handling, or great racing capabilities,” Reichman during a test drive in London. “In the city, space is far more at a premium. You’ve got fewer chances to park, far more congestion, so it makes sense that our customers have a small luxurious product.”

Right – we’re still not convinced.

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 1,500 units and will sell them for $49,253 a pop.

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Aston Martin Cygnet by Project Kahn

While you may already find it strange that Aston Martin is producing the Toyota iQ based minicar, things may get a little more weird today when you find out that respected tuner Project Kahn will be offering a modification kit for the tiny luxurious city car.

Project Kahn today released one photo of their take on the Aston Martin Cygnet and said that they are currently in the middle of producing a new kit for the minicar and are currently in a ’brainstorming sessions.’ Owner of Project Kahn will be atking part in the modification himself.

Project Kahn has promised to release more details as it progress.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: WCF

Toyota iQ EV Prototype

The Geneva Motor Show is one of the world’s largest automotive shows and this year it will continue to carry that reputation. Toyota has added the iQ EV prototype to the list of long debuts for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

“Based on the current iQ model, the EV prototype represents Toyota’s long-term vision for short-range, sustainable mobility and demonstrates the adaptability of Hybrid Synergy Drive technology for a range of alternative power systems,” Toyota said.” The vehicle successfully integrates an all-electric powertrain within the iQ package, maintaining the car’s essential urban-friendly agility with zero tailpipe emissions and easy, silent electric running.”

Click here for more news on the Toyota iQ.

Fuel comes from a flat and compact lithium-ion battery that sits beneath the vehicle floor. On a full charge, the Toyota iQ EV can travel a range of up to 65 miles.

Testing of the Toyota iQ EV prototype will start in Europe this year with a potential market introduction through a lease program in 2012. Toyota has already announced plans to bring the car to the U.S. market.

Toyota iQ EV Prototype:

- By: Omar Rana

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions

With a starting prices of $35,000 (or at least that’s what we thought it actually costs $49,253), you would think Aston Martin is done milking this Toyota iQ based Cygnet ultra-luxury subcompact thing by now – well, they’re not.

Aston Martin announced today that they will build two limited Cygnet Launch Editions, “each exemplifying the highly bespoke nature of this unique car.”

Both Launch Edition models, White and Black, are available with a standard manual or optional CVT automated transmission and both will be produced for a limited time only. While each model features its own color scheme, both Cygnet Launch Edition models come with a bespoke Bill Amberg five-piece luggage set consisting of a glove box bag, removable door pocket bag, holdall, garment bag and a collapsible tote bag.

Aston Martin plans on expanding the market availability of the Cygnet in 2012.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 2,000 units and will sell them for $45,253.

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions:

Press Release:

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions; White and Black

• Aston Martin confirms launch details for new Cygnet city car
• Two special launch editions to commence production of city car at company’s Gaydon headquarters in the UK
• An Aston Martin Tailor-Fit solution for the city offering luxury and individuality

Gaydon, 20 January 2011: Aston Martin announces the arrival of the ultimate city car, a Tailor-Fit solution for urban driving in the contemporary metropolis, with two strictly limited Cygnet launch editions.

To celebrate the commencement of production, the new Aston Martin Cygnet will be available in two special launch edition models, each exemplifying the highly bespoke nature of this unique car. The two Cygnet Launch Edition models; White and Black, are available with either standard manual or optional CVT automated transmission and each will be produced for a strictly limited time.

Cygnet is a bespoke luxury commuter car, designed to take you into the heart of the city, with ultra-compact packaging and low-emission engine technology. These efficiencies are paired with the manufacturing and craft skill that is closely associated with Aston Martin.

Craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail characterise each Cygnet, and the extremely high levels of interior finish are exemplified by the choice of materials and colours on these two unique models.

Cygnet Launch Edition White brings together a serene exterior; finished in Snow White paint with a mix of silver mesh, chrome brightwork and White Diamond turned alloy wheels. The interior of the White edition features seats hand trimmed in Pearl white leather with perforated Alcantara inserts, complemented by satin chrome. On the exterior, Aston Martin’s attention to detail is exemplified with the iconic wings badge appearing in matching white.

In contrast, Cygnet Launch Edition Black features Magic Black metallic paint with a specially developed deep sea green effect, offset by matt black louvers and chrome brightwork. Inside, the seats and dash are finished in pure black full grain leather, perforated in a specially-developed diamond pattern. Dark chrome accents adorn the cabin, while the wings badges are rendered in black throughout.

Both Cygnet Launch Editions also come with a bespoke Bill Amberg five-piece luggage set, especially designed for and tailored to Cygnet. Available in a contemporary combination of black leather with technical fabric, the set comprises glove box bag, removable door pocket bag, holdall, garment bag and a collapsible tote bag.

Cygnet Background

Cygnet has generated a huge level of interest amongst both existing Aston Martin owners and customers new to the brand. High tech, compact and built to the same exacting standards and levels as Aston Martin’s acclaimed range of sports cars, Cygnet has already become the perfect addition to a V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide, DBS or the forthcoming One-77 as the ultimate means of metropolitan transport.

Cygnet benefits from highly sophisticated active and passive safety technology to protect driver, passengers and pedestrians, with a range of breakthrough features rarely seen in small cars. Cygnet delivers everything the city driver needs, from essential equipment like ABS, nine airbags, stability control, electronic brake assist and retractable door mirrors to a luxurious interior specification, including keyless entry and start, heated seats, and satellite navigation, all packed into a car that is just three metres long.

Despite its compact but neatly-proportioned form, Cygnet is clearly recognisable as an Aston Martin. The marque’s characteristic design language, including signature details such as the metal grille, elongated side strake and inverted rear lights, establish a distinguished, solid form with strong road presence.

Cygnet is the eighth major production car Aston Martin has introduced at its state-of-the art Gaydon facility since 2004, and is assembled in a new dedicated facility by the same skilled local workforce of technicians and craftspeople that create Aston Martin’s award-winning range of sports cars. Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin’s ongoing commitment to British manufacturing, supported by a strong local supplier network providing the finest materials and components. As a result, Cygnet’s build quality matches its discrete styling, the richly detailed interior and exterior forming a visual and tactile delight.

The Aston Martin Cygnet is a car without compromise, as dedicated to urban functionalism as its sporting siblings are to driver involvement, dynamics and long-distance comfort. With space for up to four adults, Cygnet is light, compact, safe, efficient and highly manoeuvrable.

Launch Edition White and Launch Edition Black epitomise Cygnet’s qualities; craft and skill in a luxurious but compact package, with heart, soul and personality Tailor-Fit for the modern city.

Cygnet production commences in April 2011 and is initially on sale now through Aston Martin’s European dealership network, with the company actively working on expanding market availability by 2012. Prices start from £30,995

- By: Omar Rana

Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept

The 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, which is Japan’s equivalent of the SEMA show, is underway and Toyota and Lexus rolled up to the show with a bunch of ‘tricked’ out concepts.

One of the major highlights of Toyota’s Tokyo Auto Salon display is the supercharged iQ. Known as the GRMN (Gazoo Racing tuned by MN) iQ Racing Concept, Toyota’s iQ gets a deep front air dam, huge lower air intake, racing wheel, a tuned- supercharged engine and a roll-cage.

Besides that Toyota is also showing a Sports Concept version of the Prius by G Sports and a TRD modified Auris GT Concept.

Lexus is displaying an F-sport CT 200h alongside two IS-F models modified by CCS-R (Circuit Club Sport Racer) and Club Performance Accessory. Also on display is a racing version of the Lexus LFA supercar.

Toyota at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon:

Lexus at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon:

Press Release:

TOYOTA STARS AT TOKYO AUTO SALON

Small in size but big in attitude, a pumped-up, track-ready interpretation of the super-smart iQ city car leads a posse of tuned and tweaked Toyota concept and production cars at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The world’s largest annual aftermarket parts show, taking place (14 to 16 January) gives leading tuning firms and custom car specialists the chance to demonstrate their engineering and design skills, from mild sports accoutrements to the wilder fringes of auto design.

The GRMN (Gazoo Racing tuned by MN) iQ Racing Concept is the latest interpretation of Toyota’s smallest model by its motor sport competition partner. It’s a stand-out model, with its deep front air dam, huge lower air intake and racing wheels, but it is not just about looks: fitted with a tuned- supercharged engine and a roll-cage, it’s cut out for track action.

It has a strong heritage too: Gazoo’s previous iQ concept car was given a limited production run in Japan that sold out immediately in 2009.

G Sports (G’s) have also contributed to the Toyota presentation with Sports Concept version of Prius, with TRD adding an Auris GT Concept. As well as the cars, Toyota is hosting interactive events at the show, including forums with engineers and racing drivers and virtual driving competitions in Metapolis, an on-line community created by Gazoo Racing.

LEXUS SPORTING CONCEPTS AT TOKYO AUTO SALON

The world’s largest custom car show celebrated the sporting side of Lexus at the weekend with five tuned and modified cars on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Even though its public launch is still a few months away, the new CT 200h was revealed in special F-Sport guise, with an array of sporting accessories including alloy wheels, a body kit by Modellista and Recaro sports seats.

It was joined by two new versions of the ultra-high performance IS F: the CCS-R (Circuit Club Sport Racer) and Club Performance Accessory.

The CCS-R is true to the tradition of lightweight track saloons, featuring carbon fibre body panels, including front and rear spoilers, bonnet and boot lid, and a new frameless construction roll cage and polycarbonate windows. Inside there’s further extensive use of carbon fibre for the dashboard, centre console and door trims, while the racing details extend to a six-point safety harness and short-diameter steering wheel with paddle shifts. The car is performance-engineered, too, with racing suspension, brakes, cooling and exhaust, plus a mechanical limited-slip differential and forged alloys shod with slick tyres.

TRD (Toyota Racing Department) has created the IS F Club Performance Accessory, giving the most powerful member of the IS family an even bolder appearance with spoilers fore and aft, a rear diffuser and a carbon fibre hood. Again, more carbon fibre material is used in the cabin, along with sports seats finished in bright orange. Sports suspension and brakes, a titanium exhaust, magnesium wheels and a mechanical LSD complete the package.

Gazoo Racing presented its racing version of the Lexus LFA supercar, which enjoyed success at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race, and TOM’s offered a new interpretation of the LS 460 limousine.

- By: Omar Rana

Toyota FT-EV II Concept

Toyota has confirmed that it will undertake a European road trial of an electric-powered version of the iQ city car starting next year. The iQ EV is scheduled to go on sale in the USA in 2012, but Toyota is looking at its potential in other markets, including Europe, Japan and China.

The Japanese automaker recently unveiled the Toyota RAV4 EV at the 2010 LA Auto Show, a new model produced in partnership with Tesla Motors, which will also go on sale in the U.S. in 2012. That same year, Toyota will have a demo Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will go on sale in Europe, Japan and the U.S.

Toyota plans to launch 11 hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012, including both all-new and re-designed models.

The company is also continuing to advance development of fuel-cell hybrid technology and expects to introduce a sedan fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) in around 2015 in markets where a fuel supply infrastructure has been established (that includes North America).

Toyota FT-EV II Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Aston Martin Cygent Debuts at Harrods

Aston Martin isn’t using the upcoming 2010 LA Auto Show to debut the new Cygnet concept – No no, the Cygnet is to luxurious for that. Instead, the luxury sports car manufacture chose to debut the Toyota iQ based Cygnet at the world’s most prestigious department store – Harrods in Knightsbridge.

The Aston Martin Cygnet will go into production in 2011 at the company”s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire in England and will become the eighth production Aston introduced to its facility since 2004.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Make the jump for the press details

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 2,000 units and will sell them for around £20,000 (about $35,000 USD) a pop. The Cygnet is only available to those who currently own an Aston.

Aston Martin Cygent Debuts at Harrods:

Aston Martin Cygent:

Press Release:

Aston Martin Cygnet Makes Debut at Iconic Harrods Store

15 November, 2010 ““ Aston Martin”s new luxury city car; Cygnet ““ which will go into production in 2011 – is making its global debut at Harrods in Knightsbridge, the world’s most prestigious department store.

Occupying a prominent position in the store”s iconic Brompton Road window display in central London, Cygnet is perfectly placed in the heart of the city, an ideal spot to experience this ultra-compact, high luxury city car in its production-ready form for the very first time.

Aston Martin’s characteristic design language is clearly referenced in Cygnet”s compact two-door body. Signature details like the famous aluminium grille, side strake and inverted rear lights create a distinguished, neatly-proportioned form and a discretely stylish statement. Painted, trimmed and assembled by the same technicians and craftspeople that create Aston Martin”s award-winning range of sports cars, Cygnet is the ultimate way to explore the contemporary city.

Cygnet is highly appropriate for the environment for which it has been designed. With ample performance and manoeuvrability for urban use, it is light, compact and fuel-efficient yet also capable of carrying up to four people, all while providing Aston Martin’s accomplished levels of luxury, comfort and quality. Cygnet, the tailor fit solution for the city, will help drive Aston Martin into an exciting future.

Harrods is a suitably central location for this important debut. Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, the celebrated store has been at the forefront of luxury retail since it was founded in 1849. Offering the finest merchandise from this most prominent of London locations, as well as from satellite sites around the world, Harrods provides unrivalled choice and a bespoke personal service that attracts loyal customers as well as a host of international visitors.

Harrods has over 360 departments, spread over seven floors of its iconic Knightsbridge building. The store’s vast selection of merchandise ranges from international haute couture to cutting edge technology, as well as an unrivalled choice of exquisite food and drink in the world famous Food Halls. Harrods also offers exclusive services including By Appointment Personal Shopping and Beyond to provide a total lifestyle experience. The Harrods ethos of “˜anything is possible” sets out to surpass the desires and expectations of its customers.

The Aston Martin Cygnet will go into production in 2011 at the company”s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire in England. The car will be the eighth major production car Aston Martin has introduced at its state-of-the art facility since 2004, offering further evidence of the company”s ongoing commitment to British manufacturing, backed-up by a dedicated local workforce and supplier network.

Cygnet will be available to view at Harrods until Saturday 11th December with the car on sale now through Aston Martin”s European dealership network.

- By: Zain Haq

2009 Toyota iQ

Here we go again. Toyota announced today that it is recalling 135,000 iQ models in Japan and Europe for a software problem that may cause power steering to stop working.

“The issue affects certain iQ vehicles, produced between 11 September 2008 and 22 October 2010,” Toyota said in a statement. “When driving on certain roadside safety side strips or ‘rumble strips’, signals received by the EPS sensors may be incorrectly interpreted by the EPS control unit, triggering the EPS warning light. Should this happen, the driver would need to apply extra effort to steer the vehicle.”

There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem.

The Toyota iQ will head over to the United States in early 2011 but will be badged as a Scion.

- By: Omar Rana

Mark Reichman - Aston Martin Design Director

We’re still not sure about the Aston Martin Cygnet and we probably never will be. Good thing is we’d probably never own an Aston Martin supercar so we’ll never get the rights to purchase the $35,000 Toyota iQ based Aston Martin. However, even if we did, we probably wouldn’t.

Aston Martin has just released a video for people who feel like us, justifying describing what the Cygnet really is and what it really means to the company’s customers.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Our favorite part? When CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez says: “I do like to go with a DBS over to the city, but I would not want to do this everyday – I would not want to do this maybe two times a day if I had to go to a business meeting in London – so I want to have the choice.”

Personally, we’d like to go to the city everyday in a DBS.

Make the leap for the video.

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 2,000 units and will sell them for around £20,000 (about $35,000 USD) a pop. The Cygnet is only available to those who currently own an Aston.

Aston Martin Cygent:

Aston Martin Cygent:

- By: Zain Haq

2011 Aston Martin Cygnet

It’s not like we didn’t know this already but Aston Martin confirmed today that the Toyota iQ based compact Cygnet will go into production in 2011 at the company’s Gaydon headquarts in Warwickshire.

“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.”

It was recently reported that Aston Martin is planning an electric-only version for the Cygnet scheduled for 2013.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 2,000 units and will sell them for around £20,000 (about $35,000 USD) a pop. The Cygnet is only available to those who currently own an Aston.

Aston Martin Cygent:

Press Release:

Aston Martin Cygnet Confirmed for Production
Innovation, Luxury and Individuality

“¢ Aston Martin Cygnet to become a production reality in 2011
“¢ Designed and built at Aston Martin”s Gaydon headquarters
“¢ An Aston Martin tailor fit solution for the city offering luxury and individuality

Gaydon, 11 October 2010 – Aston Martin is pleased to confirm that the Cygnet luxury city car ““ originally shown as a concept car in March – is to go into production in 2011 at the company”s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire.

The Aston Martin Cygnet is a city car that sets a new benchmark for compact luxury, building upon nearly a century of experience building high performance sports cars, luxurious long-range grand tourers, and extremely competitive racing machines.

Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin’s commitment to innovation and integrity.

Cygnet expresses a simple but fundamental idea: in the modern city, scale equates to speed and freedom. At just three metres long, the Cygnet gives the driver a new dimension of freedom, able to slot into gaps in traffic, exploit the smallest parking spaces, consume the least fuel and emit the lowest emissions, all while delivering exceptional levels of quality and comfort.

“Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor fit for the city,” says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design. With an almost unlimited palette of materials, colours and textures, each hand-finished Cygnet will be truly unique, a personalised space within the city. “Luxury is not constrained by scale.”

Cygnet is a product of Aston Martin’s unrivalled experience in craft, technology and design. The future city will present a very different luxury brand landscape, as social change and legislation increases the division between urban and anti-urban product categories. With the Cygnet, Aston Martin will be at the forefront of these changes, ensuring the company’s enduring brand image will continue to prosper in new market conditions.

Dr Ulrich Bez continues: “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.”

The Cygnet, a tailor fit solution for the city, will help drive Aston Martin into the future. “This car is reality; Cygnet is the natural choice for those who want a premium, bespoke commuter car.”

Further details on the Aston Martin Cygnet including pricing and specification will be announced later this year. The Cygnet will be the eighth major production car Aston Martin has introduced at its state-of-the art factory since 2004, offering further evidence of the company”s ongoing commitment to British manufacturing, backed-up by a dedicated local workforce and supplier network.

- By: Omar Rana

Aston Martin Cygnet

Originally, the Aston Martin Cygnet was only planned for the European market. Reports now suggest that the rebadged Toyota iQ minicar will be coming to the United States in 2012 – but that’s not all.

Besides the regular 1.3L gasoline engine based Cygnet, an electric-version with a 60-mile range will arrive sometime in 2013.

Same purchasing rules apply so you’ll need to already own an Aston and pay an extra $35,000 for the gasoline Cygnet.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin Cygnet.

Refresher: Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3L engine making 97-hp, allowing it to hit a top speed of 105 mph. Aston Martin will make around 2,000 units and will sell them for around £20,000 (about $35,000 USD) a pop. The Cygnet is only available to those who currently own an Aston.

Aston Martin Cygent:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Toyota FT-EV Concept

Sources inside Toyota said that the company plans to introduce three “new-to-market” green vehicles in 2012. Joining the upcoming plug-in version of the Toyota Prius will be a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and a yet-to-be-unveiled variant of the Prius

We’re guessing the Prius variant vehicle will the much talked about MPV version of the hybrid, while the BEV will be an electric-version of the Toyota iQ (seen in the FT-EV Concept pictured here), which is currently being sold under the Scion badge in the United States. The Prius vehicle will kick of the creation of an ongoing family lineup of vehicles that will carry a Prius badge.

Toyota will update the media and consumers about its progress on the vehicles on its web site www.toyota.com/esq.

Toyota FT-EV Concept:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)