If it were April we'd have dismissed Aston's latest press release, but it seems that Aston Martin is serious about entering the city car market with the Cygnet. Using the Toyota iQ as a basis, Aston Martin is planning an additional model series to join its DBS, DB9, V8 Vantage and soon to be launched Rapide line up. Currently touted as a 'concept', the Cygnet is almost certain for production as Aston Martin chases volume in a tough marketplace.

Toyota will provide its iQ city car from its Japanese assembly plant to Aston Martin in the UK where it will be transformed into a Cygnet. The changes will include serious sheet metal work to give the Cygnet Aston's design signature, the interior too being hand finished in leather. Aston's Chief Executive likens the Cygnet to a tender on a luxury yacht, saying the Cygnet will: "allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market."

Perhaps not Aston performance though, as it's thought that nothing will be done to the mechanicals, so it'll perform no differently to the standard iQ - albeit the larger engined 1.33-litre model. Between 1,000 and 2,000 Cygnets could be produced each year, it thought that existing Aston customers - or those with cars on order - will initially be the only people offered the Cygnet. Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "The offering of a 'Cygnet' with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level."

In time the Cygnet is likely to be offered to customers outside Aston Martin's existing client base. Already considered pretty toppy price-wise in standard Toyota form, the Aston-ised iQ is anticipated to cost in the region of £20,000. Good thing they have big windows at Aston dealerships so they can see the customers coming.

Kyle Fortune - 30 Jun 2009