Tag: martin

Report: Aston Martin Cygnet could come to the States

Filed under: Hatchback, Aston Martin

Aston Martin Cygnet could come to the States

Aston Martin Cygnet – Click above for high-res image gallery

We aren’t quite sure why the Aston Martin Cygnet exists. What was once an economical Toyota iQ is now a fuel-sipping Aston Martin (weird) with a lavish interior and a price tag that will make your heart skip a beat. We understand that vehicles like this work well in the congested, small-car-friendly cities of Europe, but it remains to be seen if microcars have a place here in the United States. The Smart ForTwo has proved to be a flop in the States, though we’ll chalk most of that up to its unimpressive fuel economy and downright awful driving dynamics.

The U.S. is set to get a Scion-badged version of the Toyota iQ in early 2011, but a report from Automotive News states that Aston Martin could import its angry-looking Cygnet counterpart to our shores as early as 2012. It would share the same 1.3-liter gasoline powerplant as the Scion, though an electric-only version with a 60-mile range could arrive in 2013.

We’ll wait until Aston Martin gives us the official word before we start jumping to any conclusions, but consider our outlook on a U.S.-spec Cygnet similar to that of a half-empty glass.

Gallery: Aston Martin Cygnet

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Aston Martin Cygnet could come to the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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French electric golf cart company planning $9.5M Aston Martin supercar

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Luxury

Aston Martin Super Sport by Star Electric Cars France – Click above for high-res image gallery

Yes, the past couple of months have been a little heavy on the supercar-dreamed-up-by-inside-dude’s-keister news, but this one is simply too compelling to pass up. A company called Star Electric Cars France is the European subsidiary of Star Electric Cars U.S. They make golf carts that look like Hummers and Rolls-Royces and the like, and the French firm also sells electric bikes and skateboards and a fascinating contraption called the Snow Rider.

The company also claims to “design unique cars built for presidents, kings and princes around the world,” and this would have to be one of them. Called the Aston Martin Super Sport, it’s a coachbuilt, mid-engined Aston powered by a 5.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 putting out up to 950 horsepower. The bespoke bodywork is carbon fiber and sports scissor doors, an alcantara-coated interior and Recaro buckets. Naturally, production is… up in the air.

The price of this imaginary slice of supercar pie, €7.5 million ($9.53M U.S.) – a sum so impossible to comprehend it deserves its own episode of Lost. According to the car’s developers, though, only eight will be made, with each color being unique. Word is that “sky blue is available immediately.” Of course it is… Hat tip to Bawlz

Gallery: Aston Martin Super Sport by Star Electric Cars France

[Source: GT Spirit via Top Gear]

French electric golf cart company planning $9.5M Aston Martin supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin design director gets custom Vantage GT4

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, UK, Racing

Marek Reichman’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

And he’s going racing with it. Marek Reichman, the design director for Aston Martin, will be hopping into the saddle of a Vantage GT4 for his first shot at the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain. Reichman has gone fender to fender before, though he typically keeps to vintage club racing. This will be the first time he’s stepped up to the 90-minute big boy leagues of his company’s one-make series. Reichman won’t be doing it alone, though. Chris Porritt, the engineering manager for Aston Martin, will be sharing driving duties.

Porritt has helmed the mighty Vantage GT4 in the past, though most of his experience has been at the Nürburgring. We’re thinking that if he can keep the car shiny side up around Green Hell, he should have no problem going toe to toe with the rest of the field. That doesn’t mean that the competition is going to be a cakewalk for the team – so far this season, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge has proven to be full of more than capable racers. The series is slated to kick off at Oulton Park on Saturday, August 21. Hit the jump for a peek at the press release.

Gallery: Aston Martin Design Director’s Vantage GT4

[Source: Aston Martin]

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Aston Martin design director gets custom Vantage GT4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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