Aston Martin Cygnet: When Sports Car Makers Aim For The Guardrail

• Behold! Aston’s $43,000 Aztec.
• Aston Martin Cygnet based on Toyota iQ; featuring Toyota engine
  
• Recalls botched joint efforts of yore

By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Aston Martin

TEAM Ferrari has to be howling at this one.

The Aston Cygnet – a joint, face plant project where an Aston Martin’s likeness (read: iconic fascia) is artistically transplanted onto a little Toyota iQ economy hatch- is a sad insight into the economic realities facing a small, independent sports car manufacturer.

The little “Aston” will be brought to markets next year.

Plainly the Cygnet was born of a need to increase revenue whilst simultaneously jumping through the completely-pointless environmental, one-size-fits-all fleet emissions standards set forth by, what Mrs. Thatcher would’ve called, “the bureacracy in Brussels.”

While Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, and the like are more sheltered from fleet average regulations thanks to their sheltered status as subsidiaries of larger automotive conglomerates, Aston, it would seem, does not have this luxury.

Though, if push came to shove on placing unfair restrictions of fuel economy, Aston’s mangement could highlight that Ford is still a major shareholder in the company.

Still, this decision was part of extending brand awareness while being paid for it.

According to Car & Driver, the Cygnet’s largest engine option, rippling with all the power of an orange salamander – a 1.3 liter Toyota four cylinder motor – will produce a 0-60 time in a blistering 12 seconds and likely set the not-so-hot hatch’s price as high as €30,000 ($43,000).

By the way, speaking of bogus brand extensions – does anyone remember the Chrysler TC by Maserati?

Aston’s next GT, had better come with the looks of an Alfa 8C and the performance on an Enzo to make up for this bull $#!t.