Aston Martin creates crazy one-off V8 Cygnet

The Aston Martin Cygnet had often been derided for being a gloried Toyota iQ. It was created and sold in the EU to enable Aston Martin to meet the stringent 2012 fleet average emissions regulations in there.

It was a sales flop, with only approximately 300 sold rather than the forecast 4000 units per annum and was discontinued in 2013, just over two years after it hit the market.

But it’s been resurrected and this time, Aston Martin engineers have incredibly, managed to stuff a massive 4.7-litre V8 from the Vantage S into the Cygnet’s tiny engine bay originally meant for a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine.

The result? An enormous lift in power from 72kW to a muscular 320kW! The talented engineers have also swapped the driven wheels around, with power now channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Speedshift II automatic gearbox.

Zero to 100km/h is now accomplished in just 4.2 seconds, while top speed reaches a respectable 274km/h. This compares to the standard car’s leisurely 11.8 seconds and maximum speed of 171km/h.

As you can see here, Aston’s engineers have also upgraded the car’s chassis to accommodate the additional firepower. It now rides on independent double wishbone front and rear suspension and rolls on giant 19-inch alloys behind which hide beefier brakes. The wheel arches are extended, too, and made from carbon fibre to accommodate the wider tracks.

As a consequence of all these modification, the V8-powered Cygnet has put on some weight, tipping the scales at 1,375kg (distributed 50:50 front/rear) instead of the original car’s sub one-tonne kerb weight.

This one-off V8 Cygnet was created for a customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service and will make its debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

V8 Cygnet – Technical Specification

Body: 
RHD Cygnet steel bodyshell and panels with integrated welded-in cage
Sheet metal fabricated front bulkhead and transmission tunnel
Vantage subframes
Steel fuel tank housing mounted in the boot area
Carbon composite flared wheel arch extensions
Mesh front grille
Dark exterior hardware
Body painted Buckinghamshire Green
Yellow brake calipers

Interior:
Two seat configuration
Fixed back Recaro composite driver and passenger seats with
Adjustable seat runners driver’s side, fixed position passenger side
Four-point harnesses
Bespoke carbon composite instrument panel incorporating Vantage instrument cluster
Bespoke HVAC controls
Twin USB ports
Bespoke carbon fibre door cards with leather pull straps and Cygnet door release handles
Full FIA compliant fire extinguisher system
Removable alcantara steering wheel

Engine: 
All-Alloy Quad Overhead Camshaft, 4.7-litre V8
Dry sump lubrication
Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Vantage S cooling system
Twin concial air filters on bespoke intake trunking
Bespoke exhaust system with twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic convertors
Twin centre exit tailpipes
30-litre ATL Savercell fuel tank

Electrical System:
V8 Vantage S electrical architecture
Cygnet front and rear lights
FIA compliant cut off and isolation system
Rear mounted battery
Bespoke lightweight HVAC system

Performance
Maximum Power: 430bhp
Maximum Torque: 490Nm (361lb ft)
Maximum Speed: 170 mph (274 km/h)
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.2secs

Transmission: 
V8 Vantage S seven-speed Sportshift II gearbox
Bespoke torque tube with steel propeller shaft
Limited-slip differential

Suspension: 
Front Independent double wishbone, coil springs, anti-roll bar and passive dampers
Rear Independent double wishbone, coil springs, anti-roll bar and passive dampers

Wheels and Tyres
Lightweight forged five-spoke silver diamond turned wheels
Bridgestone tyres
Front 8.5×19” 235/40/19
Rear 9.5×19” 275/35/19

Brakes: 
V8 Vantage S braking system with ABS and fixed brake bias valve
Front 6-piston monoblock calipers, 380mm 2 piece floating ventilated discs
Rear 4-piston monoblock calipers 330mm 2 piece co-cast ventilated discs
V8 Vantage derived pedal box with bespoke brake pedal

Dimensions
Length:                                   3708mm
Width:                                     1920mm (excluding door mirrors)
Height:                                    1500mm
Wheelbase:                            2020mm
Front Track:                            1570mm
Rear Track:                             1560mm
Weight:                                   1375kg (kerbweight)
Weight Distribution:              50%/50% (Front/Rear)