The Aston Martin Cygnet, It May Have the Badge but Should it

A few years ago the regulatory commissions for car companies decided that all companies must meet an emissions standard across their entire range. This means more than just making cars that use efficient oxygen sensors and engine control module units, this means econo-box cars from all builders. This regulation is not a big deal for companies like Porsche and Lamborghini since they are owned by VW. The issue really falls on companies like Pagani and Aston Martin, companies who only make fire breathing supercars. The solution is to sully the name of the company by creating something completely out of character. In the case of Aston Martin they have created the Cygnet, this is basically a Toyota iQ with a fancy dress. Now I don’t know about you but to me there should never be an economy Aston Martin.

The Cygnet is a $18K Toyota that has been dressed up and looks to hit the US market at more than $40K, is it worth it? Well the Cygnet does get quite the rework when Aston Martin get their hands on it. The engine is beefed up…slightly but is still a hyper mileage 4 banger. The exterior gets some new body panels and a coat of paint that would make a show car jealous. The interior is reworked with DB9 level leather and wood. Impressively hand crafter interior pieces and exterior trim work together to create an amazing transformation into an Aston Martin.

The question we have to ask is…has it worked? Is this vehicle an Aston? In a word, no…even though hours and hours of hand crafting have gone into this car it is no Aston. Look at it this way, you are out to dinner with a date and she asks what you drive. Proudly announcing “I have an Aston Martin” but after dinner walking out to the parking lot may be an embarrassing event.  In the end an Aston Martin is all about insane style and the Cygnet just does not fit the bill…the $45K bill.