Aston Martin’s stuffed a 430-hp V8 into a Cygnet city car Bespoke Q

RABAUKE · 07-12-2018, 05:33 PM

I love this shit!

Aston Martin’s stuffed a 430-hp V8 into a Cygnet city car
Bespoke Q division commissioned to make three-sear compact into 275-km/h mini-monster
by NICHOLAS MARONESE | 3 HOURS AGO

Aston Martin Q's V8-swapped 2011 Cygnet at the 2018 Goodwood Hillclimb.
Handout

Aston Martin‘s bespoke Q division has stuffed a 430-horsepower V8 into a 2011 Cygnet city car, transforming the tiny three-seater into a 275-km/h mini-monster.

When new, the Cygnet – based on the Toyota iQ but re-trimmed and sold by Aston Martin, to help the supercar-maker meet emissions targets – came with a 97-horsepower 1.3-litre four-cylinder.

The upgrade to a 4.7-litre V8 from a Vantage S marks a quadrupling of the output, which the Cygnet just wasn’t built to handle. That’s why Q equipped the car with new Vantage-derived subframes, suspension pieces and brakes, as well as a full custom roll cage.

The wheels have gone from 16 inches to 19 inches, and are almost twice as wide, hence the fender extensions.

The Cygnet originally sold for about $55,000 between 2011 and 2013, but the company’s not revealed what this one-off cost to build. It’ll be showing off its stuff at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.

Questofthetune · 07-12-2018, 05:36 PM

If i was in the position financially I would pay a good 100,000$ for this. I can’t see this not bieng one of the most fun cars to drive in existence. Like one you get out of at the end of the far with your face all cramped from the nonstop grinning.

RABAUKE · 07-12-2018, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questofthetune

If i was in the position financially I would pay a good 100,000$ for this. I can’t see this not bieng one of the most fun cars to drive in existence. Like one you get out of at the end of the far with your face all cramped from the nonstop grinning.

It'd be tough to go around corners with your hard-on stuck in the steering wheel!

StuP · 07-12-2018, 05:49 PM

I doubt $100k would buy it, but it's got to be the poster child for insane fun.

RosieTheRedM3 · 07-12-2018, 05:54 PM

Aston Martin dubbed it "The Ultimate City Car." This thing is pretty cool if we are being honest. 430 hp RWD V8. Looking forward to the torque numbers. Maybe BMW could learn a thing or two about upping torque in a NA V8. I see it as a smart car on steroids with a widebody kit haha

Viffermike · 07-12-2018, 05:59 PM

I'm just speechless.

If I were rich, this is the kind of thing I'd commission someone to do. The subversion inherent in it is ... just ... glorious. This is like an inside-out Lotus: Toyota body and chassis and AM innards.

I am now officially an Aston Martin homer of the highest order. (OK, second highest -- can't reject my Porschephile card quite yet).

RM7 · 07-12-2018, 09:52 PM

I would have to think that at that size, keep the stock engine, add a big battery and torquey electric motors and get the same tq and weight as stuffing a V8 in there, it's probably not like you are going to cruise at 130mph in that thing with that absurdly short wheelbase.

RABAUKE · 07-13-2018, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I would have to think that at that size, keep the stock engine, add a big battery and torquey electric motors and get the same tq and weight as stuffing a V8 in there, it's probably not like you are going to cruise at 130mph in that thing with that absurdly short wheelbase.

Thats not fun, and it wouldn't make the glorious noise of the V8.

Never_Enough · 07-13-2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questofthetune

If i was in the position financially I would pay a good 100,000$ for this. I can’t see this not bieng one of the most fun cars to drive in existence. Like one you get out of at the end of the far with your face all cramped from the nonstop grinning.

Hard pass for $100k. I'll just buy a V8 swapped Miata for $25k or less

mkoesel · 07-13-2018, 10:02 AM

The idea of putting a powerful V8 in a small vehicle is always exciting, but this is not the V8 I would choose nor the vehicle I would put it in. Nice effort though.

The V8 powered Miata mentioned above would be a good alternate direction.

I think my choice would be a V8 like this:

https://jalopnik.com/5272575/ariel-a...d-by-500-hp-v8

(Which is great in the Atom too, of course, but that's not remotely DD-able)

In this car:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Exige

Should be much lighter, roughly twice as quick, and offer much better handling than the V8 Cygnet.

Joekerr · 07-13-2018, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Hard pass for $100k. I'll just buy a V8 swapped Miata for $25k or less

On a different topic, what are your impressions so far on the Hellcat. How long have you owned it / any issues?

Fast as it sounds?

I've got this option in the back of my mind, but I'm hoping to eke out another 4-5 years from my 300 SRT8 and then pick one up reasonably cheap, but not too old.

Never_Enough · 07-13-2018, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joekerr

On a different topic, what are your impressions so far on the Hellcat. How long have you owned it / any issues?

Fast as it sounds?

I've got this option in the back of my mind, but I'm hoping to eke out another 4-5 years from my 300 SRT8 and then pick one up reasonably cheap, but not too old.

1 month now & 800+ miles. So far so good. Yes, it's fast. Effortless is how I would describe it. Which surprised me b/c of the weight & coming from a just as fast or faster C6Z. Also, I knew I wanted vented/cooled seats, bit now that I have them I love them. Really nice on hot days. Also, the stock seats are surprisingly supportive for my skinny ass. Hard to find for me outside of race seats.

4 more yrs in the 300? Why do you hate yourself? Just do it.

Joekerr · 07-13-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

1 month now & 800+ miles. So far so good. Yes, it's fast. Effortless is how I would describe it. Which surprised me b/c of the weight & coming from a just as fast or faster C6Z. Also, I knew I wanted vented/cooled seats, bit now that I have them I love them. Really nice on hot days. Also, the stock seats are surprisingly supportive for my skinny ass. Hard to find for me outside of race seats.

4 more yrs in the 300? Why do you hate yourself? Just do it.

Ha ha - well, it is the SRT8 version of the 300, so it's a "little" better than just a 300

My heart says I should, but my bank account says I can't. At least right now. And it wins.

Good to hear though, I like hearing real world feedback, thanks.

07-12-2018, 05:33 PM	#1
RABAUKE Banned 4643 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: Porsche 993, 2014 MB GLK Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: The Golden Horseshoe, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Aston Martin’s stuffed a 430-hp V8 into a Cygnet city car Bespoke Q I love this shit! Aston Martin’s stuffed a 430-hp V8 into a Cygnet city car Bespoke Q division commissioned to make three-sear compact into 275-km/h mini-monster by NICHOLAS MARONESE \| 3 HOURS AGO Aston Martin Q's V8-swapped 2011 Cygnet at the 2018 Goodwood Hillclimb. Handout Aston Martin‘s bespoke Q division has stuffed a 430-horsepower V8 into a 2011 Cygnet city car, transforming the tiny three-seater into a 275-km/h mini-monster. When new, the Cygnet – based on the Toyota iQ but re-trimmed and sold by Aston Martin, to help the supercar-maker meet emissions targets – came with a 97-horsepower 1.3-litre four-cylinder. The upgrade to a 4.7-litre V8 from a Vantage S marks a quadrupling of the output, which the Cygnet just wasn’t built to handle. That’s why Q equipped the car with new Vantage-derived subframes, suspension pieces and brakes, as well as a full custom roll cage. The wheels have gone from 16 inches to 19 inches, and are almost twice as wide, hence the fender extensions. The Cygnet originally sold for about $55,000 between 2011 and 2013, but the company’s not revealed what this one-off cost to build. It’ll be showing off its stuff at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. Attached Images
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07-12-2018, 05:36 PM	#2
Questofthetune Captain 449 Rep 775 Posts Drives: 13 GT50014 AW M235i(sold) Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: SFL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 235i [0.00]	If i was in the position financially I would pay a good 100,000$ for this. I can’t see this not bieng one of the most fun cars to drive in existence. Like one you get out of at the end of the far with your face all cramped from the nonstop grinning. __________________ 2014 AW M235i Sold 2013 BLK GT500 track pack/ perf pack/ recaros
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07-12-2018, 05:49 PM	#4
StuP Private First Class 96 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2018 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I doubt $100k would buy it, but it's got to be the poster child for insane fun.
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07-12-2018, 05:54 PM	#5
RosieTheRedM3 Private First Class 267 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Frozen Red Edition Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Westlake Village, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [0.00]	Aston Martin dubbed it "The Ultimate City Car." This thing is pretty cool if we are being honest. 430 hp RWD V8. Looking forward to the torque numbers. Maybe BMW could learn a thing or two about upping torque in a NA V8. I see it as a smart car on steroids with a widebody kit haha
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07-12-2018, 05:59 PM	#6
Viffermike Colonel 1778 Rep 2,952 Posts Drives: Coming: '25 SG/black M2 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Big D iTrader: (0)	I'm just speechless. If I were rich, this is the kind of thing I'd commission someone to do. The subversion inherent in it is ... just ... glorious. This is like an inside-out Lotus: Toyota body and chassis and AM innards. I am now officially an Aston Martin homer of the highest order. (OK, second highest -- can't reject my Porschephile card quite yet). __________________ --Life is a journey made more exciting with a fast car.-- --Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: 'Johnny Boy' '23 CR MINI JCW 2-door. Gone (but not forgotten): 'Allie' '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman; 'The Blackened' '15 MG 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, JL 600/6 w/Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>>
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07-12-2018, 09:52 PM	#7
RM7 Brigadier General 3042 Rep 3,652 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	I would have to think that at that size, keep the stock engine, add a big battery and torquey electric motors and get the same tq and weight as stuffing a V8 in there, it's probably not like you are going to cruise at 130mph in that thing with that absurdly short wheelbase. __________________ Current: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE, 2023 Colorado ZR2. Former: BMW 428i Gran Coupe.
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07-13-2018, 10:02 AM	#10
mkoesel Moderator 7544 Rep 19,366 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	The idea of putting a powerful V8 in a small vehicle is always exciting, but this is not the V8 I would choose nor the vehicle I would put it in. Nice effort though. The V8 powered Miata mentioned above would be a good alternate direction. I think my choice would be a V8 like this: https://jalopnik.com/5272575/ariel-a...d-by-500-hp-v8 (Which is great in the Atom too, of course, but that's not remotely DD-able) In this car: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Exige Should be much lighter, roughly twice as quick, and offer much better handling than the V8 Cygnet.
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