(continued from above)
Aston Martin confirmed 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. It is derived from the Toyota IQ and its
purpose is to allow Aston Martin to comply with the strict emissions rule by the
European Union in place in 2012.
"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."
Cygnet expresses a simple but fundamental idea: in the modern city, scale
equates to speed and freedom. Just 118 inches 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, colors and textures, each hand-finished Cygnet will be truly unique,
a personalized space within the city. "Luxury is not constrained by scale."
Cygnet is a product of Aston Martin's 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."
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.