$55,000 Aston Martin heading to Australia

csv8 · 03-03-2011, 04:52 PM

$55,000 Aston Martin heading to Australia
Jez Spinks
March 3, 2011 - 3:36PM

Aston Martin's controversial new city car, the Cygnet, will go on sale locally later this year.

An Aston Martin with a price tag of about $55,000 will go on sale in Australia later this year - but don't expect superspy James Bond to be grasping for the keys.

The Aston Martin Cygnet is a new city car from the British sports-luxury brand that's more commonly associated with expensive supercars and the famous fictional spy.

It's slower than a Toyota Corolla, has only two seats and shares most of its components with a Toyota almost one-quarter its price.

Advertisement: Story continues below
Aston Martin used this week's 2011 Geneva motor show to unveil the production version of the Cygnet, a car that is essentially a rebadged and restyled version of a microsized Toyota, called the iQ.

Aston had previously suggested the Cygnet wouldn't come to Australia unless it was preceded by the Toyota iQ that starts from £9995 ($16,000) in Britain, but the luxury city car is set to arrive here regardless.

"We're very excited about the prospect of bringing such an exclusive, bespoke and fuel efficient city car to Australia," said Marcel Fabris, Aston Martin's operations manager for Australia and New Zealand.

"From the interest registered with Aston Martin and our dealers over recent months, the Cygnet has the potential to be a very popular and successful addition to the Aston Martin model range in Australia.

"At this stage, indicative pricing for Cygnet would see it start at around £34,000 [$55,000]."

Aston Martin has released the Cygnet in Europe in two special "launch editions" - with a choice of black or white exterior/interior.

Each is equipped with leather seats, 16-inch alloy wheels and a five-piece luggage set custom-made for the Cygnet that includes a glovebox satchel and removable doorpocket.

The exterior is also differentiated from the Toyota iQ, matching other Astons visually with bonnet vents and grille seen on the likes of the Vantage and DB9.

While other Aston Martins are powered either by V8 or V12 engines, the Cygnet uses the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine as the iQ.

Front looks like a baby Tezza!!!!

Fev · 03-03-2011, 04:53 PM

Damn thats alot of money for a Toyota Echo lookalike.

Bucknaked · 03-03-2011, 04:55 PM

Interest Registered prior to people finding out the Stealers price. $55k for that

mick10010 · 03-03-2011, 05:09 PM

pottery beige · 03-03-2011, 05:07 PM

so its not a real Aston....

TZENU · 03-03-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

so its not a real Aston....

Basically No!

Geez Louise · 03-03-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

so its not a real Aston....

Its the Aston your driving when your not really driving an Aston.

I really do not like the look of it....55k for a bubble....Pass!!

FG50T · 03-03-2011, 05:18 PM

Something to do with an emissions laws in Europe? Car companys have to meet average emissions standards.

stevz · 03-03-2011, 05:33 PM

Sadly, there are idiots out there who will buy it.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-03-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevz

Sadly, there are idiots out there who will buy it.

I don't think so to be honest. If it was a unique design that AM created from scratch than perhaps, but anyone who buys this will know that it is the same as a Toyota underneath worth 1/4 the price....

Scott · 03-03-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I don't think so to be honest. If it was a unique design that AM created from scratch than perhaps, but anyone who buys this will know that it is the same as a Toyota underneath worth 1/3rd the price....

People buy Lexus 4x4's simply for a better badge than Landcruiser - even if it is well documented that somehow Lexus made them worse rather than better.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-03-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

People buy Lexus 4x4's simply for a better badge than Landcruiser - even if it is well documented that somehow Lexus made them worse rather than better.

True. But the Lexus isn't 3-4 times the Toyota's RRP is it??

Who would buy a Lexus RX350 for $130-180K when a Kluger costs between 45-60K??

Some premium is warranted for the AM badge, but not that much!

buggo · 03-03-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FG50T

Something to do with an emissions laws in Europe? Car companys have to meet average emissions standards.

Yeah I think this is the reason. Car companies are taxed (iirc) for their lineup's averaged emmisions, so Aston took these Toyota IQ's and put in some leather and a new front bar.
Apparently in England you got one for free when you bought a DB9 etc.

SteveJH · 03-03-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggo_gt

Yeah I think this is the reason. Car companies are taxed (iirc) for their lineup's averaged emmisions, so Aston took these Toyota IQ's and put in some leather and a new front bar.
Apparently in England you got one for free when you bought a DB9 etc.

Do they actually have to sell any or does it just have to be in the lineup?

buggo · 03-03-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveJH

Do they actually have to sell any or does it just have to be in the lineup?

Not too sure mate, I read about it a few years ago when they were doing the prototypes, so my details are limited. I just remember that it's a Toyota IQ, they were/ are giving them out with each purchase, and that it was because of tax or staying in business from tightening restrictions.

**DJM83** · 04-03-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FG50T

Something to do with an emissions laws in Europe? Car companys have to meet average emissions standards.

Correct and this car brings down the average emission levels

**Peuty** · 03-03-2011, 07:02 PM

If this car means Aston can still go on making awesome supercars well into the future, then it's okay by me.

Wretched · 03-03-2011, 10:11 PM

FAIL

Stupid emissions laws. Aston with this car you have dropped a few notches on my list. A Toyota of all cars :(

b0son · 04-03-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

Stupid emissions laws.

Says a lot about the idiocy of emissions law implementation when its cheaper to build a car that wont sell (then add the environmental cost to build it) than to pay the tax.

The Monty · 03-03-2011, 10:13 PM

Im going wayy out on a limb here, but I think it looks pretty awesome.

Ben73 · 03-03-2011, 11:18 PM

Its a Toyota IQ with a few slight changes right?

I thought the prerequisite was that you must own a Aston supercar to buy one.
So when you want to go down to Coles and buy some bread you don't have to drive your V12 that cost as much as a house.

kaniSS · 04-03-2011, 09:27 AM

55k for that? dreamin.

flappist · 04-03-2011, 10:06 AM

Do they think Australians are going to buy an underpowered, underperforming car just because it wears a badge that has some heritage and reputation for performance?

FTE72 · 04-03-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Do they think Australians are going to buy an underpowered, underperforming car just because it wears a badge that has some heritage and reputation for performance?

Are they biting today Flap?

I would certainly drive it if they gave me one with a DBS, but I would prefer it if they gave me a DBS because I bought the overprice echo.

fat4D · 04-03-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Do they think Australians are going to buy an underpowered, underperforming car just because it wears a badge that has some heritage and reputation for performance?

people stlil buy HSV's and other holdens don't they

Ben73 · 04-03-2011, 10:08 AM

Imagine what it will be like in 15 years when it has come down to a reasonable price.

Every P plater ricer will want one with a body kit and a fart can.

Hmmmm I might design a sporty body kit for it and make some money out of it.

pauljh74 · 04-03-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

Imagine what it will be like in 15 years when it has come down to a reasonable price.

Every P plater ricer will want one with a body kit and a fart can.

Hmmmm I might design a sporty body kit for it and make some money out of it.

They won't buy a used Aston Cygnet, they'll just tart up a Toyota to LOOK like an Aston in true ricer fashion.

For $55k, I'd be wanting one in AWD with the V8 from it's bigger brother in it.

Small cars are typically purchased for lower price and lower running costs. If people had the money they'd be in something bigger/more powerful with more luxury.

AussieAV · 04-03-2011, 11:07 AM

Would have been better off making an Aston Martin bike, just think of the emission credits that would have earned.

Anyway, if the UK regulate Aston Martin out of existance, they can always move their operation down to Australia. Maybe then we could buy them at something close to a reasonable price, without all the import costs they attract now.

Rev28K · 05-03-2011, 12:26 AM

I'd rather Toyota start selling their IQ here (I wonder is Aston Australia are trying to get in first before Toyota Australia do?).

And I'd like someone to produce Gordan Murray's T25 Eco car.

55k for the IQ, has anyone tried pricing Mitsubishi's iCar?

Jimmyd · 05-03-2011, 10:59 AM

Aston Martins way to get around manufacturers emissions requirements - crappy idea when started, even worse now it is reality.

Oh how the mighty Tickford wings have fallen........