Ladies and gentlemen, today is a historic day for the Aston-Martin brand. Never in the rich and storied history of the British sportscar maker has there ever been a vehicle, and therefore a review, quite like this one. Autocar handles the burden of history with the soft touch that defines nearly every “first drive” review, demeaning its own readers’ inability to purchase this exclusive Aston rather than daring to question its point, purpose, performance or purchase price. So read on, dear reader… because what we have here is a piece of automotive history. And since you’ll never own one of these proud and noble machines, you might as well use this opportunity to bask in its reflected glory. To wit:
The 97bhp four-cylinder engine feels and sounds energetic up to 50-60 mph. The optional CVT transmission gives easy step-off at traffic lights. In this car it it’s a much better option in a city car than any fiddly five-speeder.
The [Aston-Martin] can produce a quite refined cruising performance on motorways if necessary, though passing performance isn’t its forte.
The steering is feather-light and nicely accurate. If you haven’t sampled [this Aston-Martin] you’ll be surprised by the sheer pleasure that flows from using its scooter-like turning circle, especially when it’s a viable three-seater, that can occasionally cope with four if you don’t mind having no boot space.
But wait… that’s not all! Hit the jump for the answer to the question you’re doubtless asking yourself at precisely this moment: Should I buy one?
According to Autocar, the answer to that question is as follows:
Depends who you are. If you’re rich and are open to the concept of a luxurious little city car that can be selected from options list of a new Aston supercar, you may love the Cygnet.
Around 400 people, nearly all big Aston owners, have already ordered one, and the company reckons it can sell 1500 a year. If you’re not one of these people, don’t worry about it. Just don’t give the Aston Martin Cygnet another thought.
The WHY of this car is obvious – it allows Aston Martin to skate around forthcoming CO2 emmissions regulations in Europe. Average one of these with each of its supercars probably results in the average CO2 of a typical 4cyl mid-size car. And no doubt they will make a profit on every one they “sell”.
And if you have the cash for a Vantage, well, why not get one of these for pootling around London. A whole lot easier to park, and everyone will STILL know that you own an Aston as you can’t JUST buy one of these guys by itself. Brilliant really.
Sorry to be snarky, but that answer is simply the short-term corporate WHY… it doesn’t answer the consumer WHY, which is very much up for discussion.
I’d say that anyone that buys one of these is drunk on the Aston Martin Kool-Aide, and will be shortly waking up to a horrible hangover in which they realize what an ass they look like. Drivers around London are not shy about showing their disgust for pricks in SUVs or other imbeciles they come across, and will not allow them access at ‘T’ junctions, or offer room for merges, etc. Drive a Porsche SUV in an obnoxious color for any length of time and you will certainly view the universal symbol for ‘wanker’. Cygnet drivers aren’t going to fare much better, I’d bet.
>>>The [Aston-Martin] can produce a quite refined cruising performance on motorways if necessary, though passing performance isn’t its forte.
Not that’s funny!
No, I’ll never buy one, but I have driven an Aston. I wasn’t very impressed. It was more comparable to an American muscle car from the classic era than anything else I can think of.
“Just don’t give the Aston Martin Cygnet another thought.”
Good advice.
Too bad it wasn’t given earlier in the dev cycle…
IIRC, the Cygnet was originally to be pitched as a “spare tire” of sorts for Aston Martin owners. IOW, the only way you could purchase a Cygnet was if you already owned another Aston Martin. I guess that “logic” has now gone out the window.
I wonder how long it will be before there are aftermarket kits available for the IQ?
Or… if what you want is a nice little city car you could stop being such a ponce, skip the rich and storied British middleman and buy a Toyota iQ. As one poster already said, this is just to keep the other Aston’s under the C02 and CAFE radar.
I can’t help to think that an Aston made out of the Toyota FT-86 would be a great idea. Better than this…
I want to see the James Bond model.
The James Bond model unfolds into a full-sized Aston at the touch of a button. Or was that the Inspector Gadget model?
I’m thinking we’re more likely to see an Austin Powers version.
I don’t have a problem with this car, in fact I would say that at £31k versus £50k for a Mini Goodwood edition it makes a lot of sense! You have to look at this car as an automotive equivalent to a yacht tender. They Toyota iQ is a worthy donor too, being quite an innovative car. Yes it is a lot of money but clearly is aimed at those to whom it is not an issue – otherwise just buy an iQ and miss out on the interior.
What is the problem? Because Aston Martin makes sports cars they are forbidden from making a fun mini-car? Last time I checked almost all luxury super car makers were selling a brand. Sure an F430, 911, and Vanquish are superb well-built sports cars but a Caterham 7 & several other kit-car makers along with aftermarket car markets are certainly faster and more refined in areas. The real draw to Aston Martin is the price tag and prestige. This car is about selling an idea and hopefully getting away with murder over CAFE & CO2 standards.
I’m not sure where AM’s production numbers are but shouldn’t they still be under the number for CAFE regulations?
It bothers me (and, I suspect, others) because this car is a FWD, 4-cylinder, prestige-less brand-killer!
Okay, I exaggerate slightly. But this just does not fit with the idea of Aston-Martin. And, as you said, the idea of Aston-Martin is the best thing about Aston-Martin.
31,000 pounds for the Cygnet isn’t horrible in the grand scheme of things. the Smart Brabus “Tailor Made” can easily cost just as much.
for a different comparison, take the BMW 116i 3 Door hatch SE. Its a bigger car, but the backseat is also pretty useless and has worse fuel economy than the cygnet (0-60 isn’t much better either)
it costs over 29K when you spec it to the Cygnet’s level of equipment, and the BMW isn’t even fully loaded yet
I thought the Cygnet was a great idea if given with the purchase of a real Aston in a “buy 1 get 1 free idea”. That way CO2 is reduced by ~40%. Just tell the new proper Aston owner to give it to their off spring / Charity of there choice etc
These will be quite attainable…when they go on sale as Scion iQs in due time! Owners will be able to brag that their Scion is “essentially the same as an Aston Martin.”
I would buy a scion for that reason alone!
Probably stupid expensive, as befits the brand. I have always wanted an AM, the engines sound amazing. Pure cache at the club.
Would I buy buy of these? If I had the money and was interested in the confused looks it would get, I’d buy it in a London minute. After all, there is now a Rolls Royce fitted version of the Mini Cooper. But it doesnt say “Rolls Royce” on it.
The bumper sticker could read “My other car is also an Aston Martin”.
Read it and weep.
If it’s imported to the colonies, I have just the name for it: “Aston America”!
“sampled”