Is the Aston Martin Cygnet a quirky and fun city car or a flaw in Aston Martin's history? The Cygnet, introduced in 2011, was essentially a rebadged Toyota iQ, created to help Aston Martin meet the European Union's 2012 fleet average emissions regulations. Developed under the codename P298, the Cygnet was initially marketed only in the UK, with sales beginning in January 2011. The following year, its availability expanded to other European markets. Former CEO Ulrich Bez projected annual sales of around 4,000 units at a price of approximately € 35,250 - about three times the cost of the Toyota iQ. Bez claimed that the Cygnet represented the company's "commitment to innovation and integrity" while addressing emissions and space requirements.
Despite exterior and interior revisions, the Cygnet shared most of its specifications with the iQ, including a 97 bhp 1.3L inline-four engine that produced 110 g of CO2/km and boasted fuel consumption figures of 3.99 L/100 km. However, after just over two years of production, Aston Martin announced in September 2013 that the Cygnet would be discontinued. It became the second shortest-running production model in Aston Martin's history, with just over 150 units sold in the UK and nearly 600 across Europe, far short of its 4,000-per-year target.
In June 2018, Aston Martin unveiled a one-off Cygnet featuring a 4.7-litre V8 engine producing 430 bhp, commissioned for a customer. This unique model used components from the Aston Martin Vantage S, including the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and wheels, with custom subframes and wheel arches to fit the iQ body. The Cygnet remains a polarizing car - some may love its quirkiness, while others see it as a misstep in the brand's storied history. What are your thoughts on the Cygnet?
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