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Aston, Toyota team up for iQ

29/06/2009 12:37

Aston Martin will use Toyota's iQ four-seater as the basis for its new luxury commuter vehicle.

The car, which will be called Cygnet, will be built exclusively to Aston Martin customer requirements at the luxury carmaker's Gaydon headquarters. It will be offered along with purchases of Aston Martin's DBS, DB9 or Vantage cars.

The Toyota iQ is billed as the world's smallest four-seater. At less than three metres in length, its flexible package has a flat underfloor fuel tank and asymmetric dashboard to maximise space.
 
"It’s a great compliment that the Toyota iQ has been hand-picked by one of the world’s most prestigious sports car brands, a company with whom we also share a strong friendship," said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and president of Toyota Motors Europe.

"This collaboration represents a natural pairing of strategies: a small yet spacious package, perfect for the city driver, finished off with Aston Martin’s iconic design language."
 
Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.”
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Rod
7/1/2009 12:18 AM
Well thought Kobus!
Anonymous User
6/30/2009 7:48 AM
The article states that "It will be offered along with purchases of Aston Martin's DBS, DB9 or Vantage cars". it could be one of the many extras. so, instead of carbon ceramic breaks, you can choose the "mini aston"
Anonymous User
6/30/2009 6:37 AM
is it April 1st today?
Mike H
6/29/2009 11:58 PM
Why not. Rebadging has been going on in the motor industry for decades. The original Mini had a luxury version called the van den Plas. There were also version sold under the Riley and Worlesley badges. There will always be people who pay a premium for labels. Ask my wife.
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 11:51 PM
A IQ at the price of an aston martin. not much iq need to figure that one out. lol
laichzeit
6/29/2009 8:55 PM
I had to make sure im not suffering from Dejavu, for I sure thought it was the first of April today... mmm how can this even be happening, haha this is CRAZY
Shark
6/29/2009 5:46 PM
At one time u cant believe.... talk about , hey now any1 can afford an Aston. I agree with alot of you stating that its smart (interms on EU emissions loophole usage), and who the hell will pay so much for a CitiCar and Now more people can afford an Aston (Which is not really a true aston but a Toy with Aston badging). Smart for skipping EU and making sales. Dumb for removing that bit of exclusivity from the Aston Badge.
kevlove
6/29/2009 5:28 PM
Excuse you...Its only offered with purchases of either the DBS, DB9 or Vantage. There's nuttin less hurr my fren. It'll substitute ya DBS when you make a quick dash to the shops.
Nathi
6/29/2009 5:15 PM
...nice photoshopping...now, Lexus needs to wake up and give the world a small car packed with all the bells and whistles, just like BMW/MINI/1Series, Merc/A,B Class/Smart, Audi/A2.....
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 4:40 PM
Good for you Toy-ston or is it Ast-yota? They must release it in a similar pink as the mock-up. Perfect for the Missus. ROTFL.
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 4:10 PM
Thats quite a jump from the latest DBS to a little yarissy thingy with an aston badge and front grilly looking thingy :) Id buy it just to say i own an aston (then run away before anyone could ask me what model)
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 4:08 PM
Anyone who buys this 20 000 UK pound 1.3L rebadged Toyota iQ needs to be jailed in a padded cell for their own well being. Can you imagine Porsche selling a Polo 1.4 with Turbo wheels and a new badge?
Keita
6/29/2009 4:05 PM
The question is whether a car like that would be true to Aston Martin's ethos. The Toyota IQ is hardly a sporty car. It just doesn't have the pedigree of other Astons, nor is it likely to have the same level of engineering OR build. It's going to be a boring drive that's more about show than substance...and that should be anathema, considering it's ASTON MARTIN we're talking about. It would be the same as Ferrari basing a small car on the Hyundai i10.
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 4:04 PM
I am privileged enough to own an AM, and I can assure you, I will not in 1 million years ever take ownership of this. If this story is true, AM has seriously misjudged its own market. No matter how this vehicle is dispersed (i.e. sold or given away with other AM purchases), this hunk of rubbish only devalues the very brand that I've bought into. I'm quite appalled at this.
ExboyRacer
6/29/2009 4:01 PM
Jammin - They don't have to sell a single one. It will be offered along with DBS, DB9 and Vantage. My guess is that you'll get it for free out of courtesy with the purchase of one of the above. Someone please correct me if I have read this wrong.
KOBUS
6/29/2009 3:55 PM
Comparing this (the Toyota version) with a Yaris makes no sense. This is MUCH smaller than a Yaris - almost in the class of the Smart ForTwo. This is about getting compliance with EU fleet emissions regulations, nothing else, except maybe ripping off a few clueless fools.
MLB
6/29/2009 3:49 PM
HAHAHAHAHAAA hHAHAHAHAAAA, really?
jammin
6/29/2009 3:05 PM
Who the hell want's a comuter Aston Martin??? Maybe to comply with regulations, but you still have to sell some of them.
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 2:41 PM
AWSOM an Aston we can afford....ie less the 500k.... Why didnt toyota launch this car instead of the YARIS?????? Doesnt make sense........ Toyota why no new cars in S.A>?
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 1:52 PM
APRIL FOOLS!! It must be... Just what the world needs, another overpriced compact bubble on 4 wheels.
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 1:42 PM
This is not 1 April!!! I cant believe!!!!
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 1:34 PM
Aston luxury and exclusivity (due to price0 and Toyota reliablity. Should be a winner! I wonder what it will look like, hope it does not look stupid due to the smaller size for an Aston...... Lotus Elise which is fitted with Toyota Runx X RSI 1.8 motor also worked very well.......Lotus handling and exclusivity (again the high price0 and Toyota reliability. In the Euro market, MINI used to come with Diesel Toyota motor..... Makes sense to outsource such things......
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 1:19 PM
Funny how some will pay more for something if it has a different badge on it.
Anonymous User
6/29/2009 1:11 PM
I agree kobus so many regulations so many loop holes. should be interesting though
KOBUS
6/29/2009 12:41 PM
Hehehe, way to beat the EU regulations governing a manufacturer's total fleet's emissions. Smart move!

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