ASTON MARTIN Rebadge Toyota iQ

csv8 · 01-07-2009, 12:12 PM

We checked the calendar, but it’s not saying April 1.

Reports from Europe suggest Aston Martin will use the Toyota iQ to produce a city car.

Aston Martin has apparently released this photo of an iQ, with the nose restyled to take the signature Aston Martin shark maw.

This is said to be just a concept car. However some reports suggest it could go on sale next year. Some pundits believe it will only be offered to current Aston owners at first, and then to the rest of the public. A lot of whom could be killed in the crush to get an Aston Martin badge in the garage for an estimated 23,000 euro – about $50,000.
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Dauphin · 01-07-2009, 03:38 PM

Wow, that sounds like a very surprising product. A small Aston Martin hatchback!

ltd · 01-07-2009, 04:30 PM

I think it'd damage tha marquees reputation a bit but hey, I'm not a car factory so I guess some marketing guru has done his homework before making this car.

MAD · 01-07-2009, 05:15 PM

As long as they fit it with the V12, I'd buy one...haha.

Seriously, this car is a surprise. I would have never guessed that Aston would consider releasing a small car, it's just not right, and I reckon also it will damage the marque.

XR6_190 · 01-07-2009, 05:27 PM

Sorry, but I will not believe it, until I see it as an official press release from AM themselves. The very idea that Aston Martin would do this is just plain ridiculous, apart from the damage that this would do to the brand, there is also the fact that AM have a few things in the pipeline already, they have the Rapide saloon, and from memory an SUV to be released soon as well as the DB9 replacement which will have to be getting close to developement stages by now (the DB9 has been out for 5 years now). I highly doubt that they will bring out a vehicle of this calibre, it could serve no serious purpose in their lineup.

Joshvee · 01-07-2009, 07:21 PM

It would serve to keep them in the red. I don't know why u all think it will damage their name, all the other prestige car companies have done it or are doing it. So long as it is of the same quality as their big brothers it makes perfectly good sense. They will get a slice of the small hatch market and bring in more money that will keep their "real" cars flowing off the line.

Put a v12 in it???? rediculous. The V8 Vantage engine will do just fine :evil3:
I'd buy one.

**DJM83** · 01-07-2009, 08:02 PM

Where do you sit with all the space taken up by the V12

:

XR8putts · 01-07-2009, 08:40 PM

Apart from what has been mentioned, it dosn't look like an Aston should. Probably because it's a Toyota.

500SEC · 01-07-2009, 08:49 PM

I believe the Aston Toyota will be released to compete with the Ferrari's version of the next Nissan Micra. Ferrari will apparently not fettle with the engine "How could it be improved upon" said their public relations department. Instead, Ferrari will add a prancing horse logo to the steering wheel boss, and all models will be finished in Rosso red paintwork for an authentic Ferrari look. "You would never realise it was only a Nissan" reported Britain's respected CAR magazine in their July edition. I can't wait for a Korean or Chinese response.

mattp · 02-07-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshvee

It would serve to keep them in the red. I don't know why u all think it will damage their name, all the other prestige car companies have done it or are doing it. So long as it is of the same quality as their big brothers it makes perfectly good sense. They will get a slice of the small hatch market and bring in more money that will keep their "real" cars flowing off the line.
Put a v12 in it???? rediculous. The V8 Vantage engine will do just fine :evil3:
I'd buy one.

I think you mean in the black, i.e. financially viable.

I don't believe it anyway, it would drive away their usual clientele, at a time when they are having unprecedented volume of sales, and quality and reputation are at an all-time high.

Joshvee · 02-07-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattp

I think you mean in the black, i.e. financially viable.

I don't believe it anyway, it would drive away their usual clientele, at a time when they are having unprecedented volume of sales, and quality and reputation are at an all-time high.

oops yes I meant in the black.

I dont agree. Ppl dont leave a marque just because they make something that isnt what they want if they are also still making what they do want. Did you leave ford when they made the Lazer? That just sounds petty and silly to me. If they make this car and still make great super cars, no one will care.

schnoods · 02-07-2009, 01:29 AM

Doesnt surprise me to much, they were a mob who liked to hand onto their styling cues, even if it was only a grill....

mr_xr8 · 02-07-2009, 10:34 AM

image looks photoshopped to me

LeadFoot81 · 02-07-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_xr8

image looks photoshopped to me

The designers look blurry because its a funky timelapse photo of them working on the clay model.

I think its a good idea, as long as its exectuted very, very carefully.

How about an affordable 4 door luxury sedan Aston? Think a G6ET on Aston steroids, I think it would be 'goodbye Mr Bond' for the other luxury 4 doors out there.

madmelon · 02-07-2009, 06:32 PM

http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompan...5-942854135911

That abomination is for REAL!

:

I sincerely hope that it stays a CONCEPT. Either that or call it a Lagonda- it seems they've resurrected that marque for bastard-child vehicles.

It looks like an angry toad or something. If they're re-styling it they should at the very least pick some different head lights and try to avoid the double-chin.

:

UGH :(

turbo_man · 02-07-2009, 06:38 PM

apparently the reason its being added is so that they can get the fuel consumption of their range down so they comply with regulations coming in (i think its euro IV) as they have no parent company to include their cars in the consumption numbers (ferrari have fiat and lambo have audi so neither need to do this)

rayjaymor · 02-07-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo_man

apparently the reason its being added is so that they can get the fuel consumption of their range down so they comply with regulations coming in (i think its euro IV) as they have no parent company to include their cars in the consumption numbers (ferrari have fiat and lambo have audi so neither need to do this)

*walks into Aston Martin shop*"

Yes, I'd like to buy that one please! *points to AM iQ*

*is escorted out (very roughly) by security*

That's what I see happening. It's probably just a legal loophole thing.

GeoNazi · 02-07-2009, 11:18 PM

a turbo 4 version would be a great addition, I don't mind the styling at the current moment

Joshvee · 03-07-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoNazi

a turbo 4 version would be a great addition, I don't mind the styling at the current moment

U mean a 4WD turbo version? yes I like the sound of that. And sorry but I also think it looks great.

500SEC · 04-07-2009, 09:35 AM

What, they're not joking?

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...cial-pictures/

csv8 · 04-07-2009, 10:25 AM

Give it too the Stig !!!!

GeoNazi · 04-07-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshvee

U mean a 4WD turbo version? yes I like the sound of that. And sorry but I also think it looks great.

Yep 4wd, FWD = Poor

Nikked · 04-07-2009, 06:37 PM

Unfortunately, we may need to accept these things. Because greenies have the world panicking and there are all these laws coming in. I don't see this car as a bad thing really. Its not like you need to be shameful about Toyota, they power lotus's!

madmelon · 04-07-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Unfortunately, we may need to accept these things. Because greenies have the world panicking and there are all these laws coming in. I don't see this car as a bad thing really. Its not like you need to be shameful about Toyota, they power lotus's!

Yes but Lotus designs the body work, chassis, suspension, etc. Here, Aston are more or less doing an Apollo to the iQ...

Don't hope for significant changes to the body or structure- they're touting the "5 Star crash safety rating" of the iQ which means they can't change alot.