by Premium car manufacturers sometimes make unusual decisions, but the Cygnet model stands out even against their backdrop. Putting a luxury logo on a compact city car sounds like a joke, but Aston Martin did it seriously. The Cygnet, essentially a modified version of the Toyota/Scion iQ, became the company’s way to circumvent fleet average emission requirements.
Just under 1,000 units were produced, so they rarely come up for sale. If you dream of a Cygnet but can’t find an original, this customized iQ could be a good alternative.
This Scion iQ, listed for auction on Bring a Trailer, has undergone a thorough modernization to approximate the image of the Aston Martin Cygnet. The car, originally painted white Blizzard Pearl, received new black paint for a more sophisticated look.
Not Quite a Cygnet, But Close
The exterior changes are impressive in their detail. The most noticeable changes include a new front bumper, radiator grille, and Cygnet-style hood. The car also received more pronounced side skirts and a rear bumper, although the rear lights remained from the original iQ. The look is completed by new 16-inch wheels with Aston Martin logos.
The modernization was not limited to the exterior. The owner installed an upgraded Wilwood braking system with perforated discs, as well as a TRD rear stabilizer bar and new springs. While such upgrades may seem excessive for a city car, they certainly won’t hurt.
If the exterior strongly resembles a Cygnet, the interior remained almost unchanged. It is equipped with black leatherette upholstery with red stitching and a new Sony multimedia system. Under the hood works the same 1.3-liter engine, modified with an HKS intake system.
The car belongs to a Texas lawyer who spent about $10,000 on the conversion. For those who want to experience the Cygnet without overpaying for a collector’s item, this project could be an interesting alternative. Details can be viewed on the Bring a Trailer auction.
