Aston Martin Says it Can't Satisfy Demand for $49K Cygnet

Aston Martin’s chairman Ulrich Bez has admitted that sales of the subcompact Cygnet are “not as high as we hoped”. He claimed though that the reason is not the lack of customers, but of supply.

“I’m not satisfied with sales of the Cygnet” Bez told British magazine, Autocar. “We can’t deliver as many as customers want, as we don’t have enough stock. It is the sort of product a customer wants and decides they want on the spot –they don’t want to wait for their car to be built, but to drive it away there and then,” he added.

This and the lack of advertising, which Bez cites as another reason, are to blame. Apparently, right now there are hundreds of impatient Aston Martin customers who would pay £31,000 (US$48,700) for a rebadged Toyota iQ swathed in leather if only it was available…

The British firm's head honcho also revealed that Aston Martin is getting ready to launch its first new electric car in 2012. It won’t be a Karma rival, though, as you might expect, but the all-electric version of Toyota’s iQ the Cygnet.

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IAA 2011: Aston Martin One-77 Shows up in Frankfurt with a Different Hue Right Next to the Cygnet

Aston Martin FR

It’s been more than two years since we first laid eyes on Aston Martin's stunning One-77 supercar, but we're still enamored with its striking looks. At this year's edition of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the British automaker brought along an example of the One-77 finished in funky brown color.

We’ll remind you that the One-77 is powered by a 7.3-liter V12 lump certified at 750bhp and 750Nm (553.2 lb-ft) of peak torque, more than enough to shoot the British supercar from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 220mph (355 km/h).

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, the One-77 was joined at Aston Martin's stand by the Cygnet city car, that most of you will identify as a rebadged Toyota iQ / Scion iQ.

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Aston Martin Displays V12 Zagato Specials in Frankfurt

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Making their first appearance at a mainstream event in Frankfurt, are two Aston Martin V12 Zagato showcars, which we first laid eyes on at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy back in May.

The British firm has already confirmed the limited production of the Zagato-penned model, which will go on sale in the summer of 2012. Only 150 cars will be built, each carrying a base price of £330,000 or approximately US$520,000, and that does not include local taxes…

Italian coachbuilder Zagato took over the design replacing the V12 Vantage's bodywork with an impressive-styled aluminium and carbon fibre shell.

Power is provided by Aston Martin's 6.0-litre V12 engine that churns out 517-horses and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.

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The green colored car in the renderings below show what the final roadgoing model will look like when it enters production next year.

IAA 2011: Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition Specials

Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin is heading to the Frankfurt Motor Show with two new Carbon Edition DBS sports cars that build on the 2009 special edition of the same name and model series.

The latest DBS Carbon Edition will be offered in two new hues including Flame Orange and Ceramic Grey together with the existing Carbon Black.

The British automaker says the special edition DBS models feature a unique paint process that involves seven layers of paint together with a 25-hour hand flat-and-polish finish, while as an option, buyer will be able to specify a satin lacquer paint finish that is said to create a silk-like texture.

Aside from the bespoke exterior finishes and as the car's name suggests, the special DBS gains several carbon fibre parts and accessories including the exterior mirror caps, the tail lamp fill-ins, front apron, rear diffuser and cabin trim.

Other exterior highlights include the 10-spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels with a reversed diamond turned or full gloss black finish as an option, black brake calipers as standard with yellow, orange, red or grey as an option, a black colored front grille and smoked headlamps.

Inside, the DBS Carbon Edition is treated with hand-stitched leather upholstery and headlining plus magnesium alloy steering wheel paddles tipped with carbon fibre.

Pricing for the DBS Carbon Edition starts at £186,582 (€257,912/$287,576) for the coupe and £196,581 (€272,913/$302,576) for the open-top Volante with first deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2012.

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ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V12 POWER OF TECHNOLOGY

Aston Martins have always been known for their exquisite beauty and style.
With the introduction of the new V12 Vantage, they’ll be known not only for
their looks but for their sheer power as well. Power is said to be in the 600 HP
region coming from the 6-liter V12 taken from the DBS. The new Vantage RS
will be trimmed with new front and rear bumpers, sills, a front splitter, rear
diffuser, a new bonnet, and a boot lid to make it stand out from the older, less
powerful V8 Vantage. 0-62 MPH is said to be around 4 seconds and to 100 in
8.5 seconds. Stopping it are racing-inspired carbon ceramic disc brakes. The
car will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.