Talk Morgan Forums Community General Photo Gallery Aston Martin Cygnet

During my walk to pick up a sandwich for lunch, I saw this new Aston Martin Cygnet.

I wondered if it would look better in the metal than in the press shots; in my humble opinion, it did not. Perhaps it was the colour but it looked like an odious little econo-box which has been burdened with a Max Power bodykit, in the hopes of making it look like a mini Vanquish.



I know they need to reduce the average CO2 in the Aston range but was this the only way?

Yeah I know it's an IQ Mr Boshly, but even as a small car lover, I find the Smart to be too small and with a harsh & choppy ride which is far worse than the Roadster. I doubt that this one is any better due to the short wheelbase, but it does look cute.

I really think that comparing an IQ and a Roadster is really missing the point. One is a sportscar and the other is designed for urban use.

We have had both a Brabus Smart and an IQ (and as Boshers pointed out an iCar too), as we like to have a run-around for the household chores, etc. We have moved on to a Fiat 500 now, the Abarth version, and so have had direct experience of a number of these short-wheelbased small cars.

Whilst I agree that the ride of the Smart is not the best for long journeys, this is not what it is designed for, it is meant for urban use and is quite an attractive solution. The big bugbear is the gearbox imho, a stepped CVT does not really work that well, being neither fish nor fowl.

The iCar is again quite interesting, but it's main drawback is the fact that it is designed to the Japanese Kei-car rules. Despite this it was a immediate critical and commercial success, exceeding Mitsubishi's initial sales targets by 20 percent and winning thirteen awards in its first year.

Although it uses the same (Mitsubishi) engine as the Smart, it has a 4-speed automatic gearbox that is a much better solution than the CVT, though it needs a 5th-gear or overdrive. The narrowness is an issue, no aggressive cornering, but the ride for a small car is excellent.

This was followed by the iQ (Sp Dave), a completely new design that included a newly developed differential and a centre take-off steering gear, a flat fuel tank and rear-angled shock absorbers, a smaller heater/air conditioning unit and asymmetric dashboard, and a slimmer seat design. These radical design factors enable minimal overhangs, forward windscreen location, maximized cabin space and overall compactness.

Although it's slightly bigger than the Smart Car, it's still much smaller than the average 14- or 15- foot-long compact car. The iQ is also in clear competition with the Smart Car, as both names are obvious references to resourcefulness. As Boshers has said, a very "nice (little) car" - see also TopGear's comments.

It is really too early to evaluate the Fiat Abarth 500 that we have now, but so far we are impressed with its capabilities. However, being a sports-orientated model it is not really fair to compare this particular model with the previous econo cars. This is a job for the new Fiat 500 Multiair.

So the bottom line is that these models are designed to flit from Chiswick to Bond Street and back, not blast up the Col de Vence. Horses for courses Dave...

Well, I could have compared the ride to an MG Metro. - but the Metro ride was infinitely better.......but still restless.
My (limited)experience of the Smart is that the ride is unacceptable even on a short trip, although my colleague is happy to go long distance in it. Maybe it's the road conditions in Sheffield.

Never had an MG Metro, but would not be surprised if it rode better with the genius of Alex Moulton involved, however it also does have a much longer wheelbase!

I understand that Smart sales are now in the region of 1-million cars, so it seems that many people do not agree with your assessment of its ride, but rather side with your friend (and me!).

I think it's a matter of expectations. A while ago we talked about how the Threewheeler wouldn't be as comfortable as the Aero 8/Max, but that it would probably be more comfortable than standing on pegs all day long.

I like our Lupo, even if it's not anywhere near as comfortable as our Volvo, and doesn't ride as well at motorway speeds. It's noisy in comparison, but it doesn't care if there's a snowstorm, it's easy to park being smaller in every way (and it seems to have a smaller turning circle than the Volvo).

I think I could be happy in a Smart car. Even if it was crappola on the motorway. But I'd expect that, given the short wheelbase, small wheels etc.

Would I take it to south of France? Probably not if I had another car, but if people can go for hundreds and hundreds of mile on a harley where you can't stand up, going in a smart or an IQ shouldn't be too bad.

I think Brian, "many people" buy it in spite of it's ride, for it's other attributes.

It's ride is choppy, inevitable with the length of wheelbase i guess? I once hit a bump in one on a fast sweeping country road near Epsom that nearly threw me into the adjoining countryside. It was a particularly large hollow in the Tarmac that now sports it's own warning triangle (no of course it hasn't been fixed since 4/5 years ago).

I love them in looks (it has grown from quirky to cute over time) I love the concept and would love the size/convenience if I lived in or near a big city. Undoubtedly I would get one instead of any other small car. The Fiat 500 is a 'compromise' to me lovely car though it is, and though I did consider one, it's neither fish nor fowl, it's not big enough for Mways IMHO and therefore if I was going to have a 'me only' car it would be Smart sized.

Oh and yes, the Smart gear change is pants, though in the few times I did drive it (courtesy car) the challenge of getting it to change smoothly by using the throttle was great fun. Would become wearing after time I guess.

One of the things that put me off a DBS to be honest. That and the fact that they seem to release a new Aston model variant every week meaning your 'new' car would soon be obsolete in the range. I mean the latest DB9 special edition (I mean Virage) is probably lovely, but it's just another crack at the same car with a new bodykit...

We had a sit in a Cygnet at Silverstone today. The AM salesman prompted this, because he says that when people sit inside and get the AM smell, it makes a difference. Well, the interior is fabulous, absolutely top notch - there's me gushing again. Apparently round town it's quite perky with the variable transmission. Very impressive interior, and quality sound when the door shuts.

Have had a Toyota IQ , poverty model with air con as our going to town and shopping car for nearly 12 months.....you can park it in the smallest places...it does 65 mpg....no road tax....£230 fully comp insurance....5 yr warranty etc. etc.
So ok its not an Aston Martin but who cares!

An iQ makes a lot of sense as a town car; however, to me, a £40,000 Aston Martin'd iQ-Cygnet does not.

I wonder how they are selling? The dealer near my office still has 3 of them for sale - their original launch car and 2 others. All with prices on th windscreen and none moving from the places they've been parked.