What impresses me about this is that they're actually talking about putting a 510hp V12 in a car the size of a SMART or Fiat. I'd LOVE to see this little thing whoop the shit out of some of the current power-wheels (for lack of a better term).
Source: Autoblog
Source: Autoblog
As if the Aston Martin Cygnet weren't unlikely enough, rumor is that a Cygnet with the company's 6.0-liter V12 could find its way onto the British automaker's offer sheets. Yes, really. It would undoubtedly be special order or very limited edition, but according to a report in Autocar, Aston is taking it seriously enough to have completed a feasibility study.
The iQ-derived Cygnet minicar uses the 1.3-liter, 97-horsepower motor provided by Toyota, but it's apparently been found that there is room enough in that engine bay shoebox for Aston's 6.0-liter, 510-horsepower V12 "without extensive modifications." The changes necessary to fortify the rest of the Cygnet to handle a detuned iteration of the V12 haven't been divulged, but they are apparently "not insurmountable."
Autocar compares the concept of a V12 Cygnet to that of the Nissan Juke R. But whereas the latter offered Juke roominess with Godzilla power that made us go, "Hey!", the idea of a hot rod Cygnet – a Cygnet, mind you – makes us go, "Hmmm." For now.