The Toyota iQ-rebadged Aston Martin Cygnet might be a “meh” to many, but for one customer it’s something else. Which is why he approached Aston Martin’s Q division for this outrageous creation.
The face of this little Aston Martin remains largely untouched, with no extra bulges in the bonnet and just a subtle black mesh for the famous grille. However, there is no disguising the extra width of the wheel arches. While the body shell and panels are of steel, the extended wheel arches are made of carbon composite. The wheels have grown from 16 to 19 inches in diameter.
The rear-end features the obligatory twin exhaust pipes. The exhaust is a bespoke system with twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic converters.
As you would expect, a roll cage has been welded to the chassis. There is also a fully FIA compliant fire extinguisher system, Recaro composite driver and passenger seats with four-point harnesses, alcantara covered steering wheel, bespoke carbon dash with Vantage instrument cluster, bespoke HVAC controls, two USB ports and some more.
Power
The Cygnet ditches the Toyota’s 1.3 engine for a massive 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 from the Vantage S, which develops 430 bhp and 490 Nm of torque. The 7-speed Sportshift II gearbox sends power to the rear wheels.
Weighing just 1375 kg when full of fluids, the V8 Cygnet has a power-to-weight ratio of 313 bhp/tonne. As a result, it is capable of accelerating faster than the V8 Vantage S with 0-60 mph taking just 4.2 seconds. With a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h) it is over 60 mph faster than the regular Cygnet, the company said.
There is also a Limited-slip differential. The braking system with ABS has also been borrowed from the V8 Vantage S. Suspension duties at both ends are handled by independent double wishbone, with anti-roll bar and passive dampers.
“The V8 Cygnet shows the fun side of both Aston Martin and its customers. It is also a fine example of the engineering talent within the company as it’s no small achievement to fit the Vantage’s V8 engine so harmoniously into the Cygnet’s compact body. I am sure that it will amaze and thrill people when they see and hear it on the hill at the Festival of Speed,” said David King, Aston Martin Vice President & Special Operations Officer.
Can we now call this “son of a Vantage”?
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