Thursday 12 July 2018, Goodwood: Aston Martin unveiled one of its most audacious and captivating creations at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed – the Aston Martin Cygnet V8, a unique city car that redefines the term “pocket rocket.” This bespoke masterpiece, born from the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service, takes the diminutive Cygnet and infuses it with the heart of a Vantage S, creating a truly extraordinary machine.
The concept behind the Aston Martin Cygnet V8 is simple yet outrageous: transplant a potent 4.7-litre, 430bhp V8 engine into the Cygnet’s compact frame. This incredible feat of engineering was achieved for a discerning customer through Aston Martin’s ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service, showcasing the bespoke personalization options available to Aston Martin clients. David King, Aston Martin Vice President & Special Operations Officer, perfectly captured the spirit of this project: “The V8 Cygnet epitomizes the playful nature of Aston Martin and its clientele. It’s a remarkable demonstration of our engineering prowess, seamlessly integrating the Vantage’s V8 engine into the Cygnet’s petite form. I anticipate it will both surprise and exhilarate onlookers as it conquers the Goodwood hill climb.”
Aston Martin’s in-house engineers embarked on this ambitious project starting with a right-hand drive Cygnet body shell. To accommodate the significant power upgrade, a roll cage was meticulously welded into the chassis, enhancing rigidity and safety. A new front bulkhead and transmission tunnel were skillfully fabricated from sheet metal to house the robust 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 Vantage S powertrain. The subframes and suspension components were also borrowed from the previous generation Vantage, while a steel fuel tank housing was cleverly integrated into the boot space, maximizing every available inch.
Despite the extensive modifications under the skin, the Aston Martin Cygnet V8 retains the recognizable charm of the original Cygnet. The front fascia remains largely unchanged, with only a subtle black mesh grille hinting at the beast within. However, the widened wheel arches are a clear indication of the performance enhancements. Beautiful carbon composite flared extensions were crafted to accommodate the significantly wider front and rear tracks. These extensions house larger, forged, five-spoke, diamond-turned wheels, increasing in size from 16” to 19” in diameter.
The rear of the V8 Cygnet is distinguished by its centrally mounted twin exhaust pipes. This bespoke exhaust system, featuring twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic converters, delivers a sound that defies the car’s compact dimensions. The engine itself is the familiar 4.7-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 from the previous-generation Vantage S. Custom intake trunking and twin conical air filters were designed to ensure optimal engine performance. The engine output remains unchanged at 430bhp and 490NM (361lb ft) of torque. Power is delivered through a seven-speed Sportshift II transmission, also sourced from the V8 Vantage S, via a miniature torque tube to the wider 9.5” rear wheels, fitted with 275/35 Bridgestone tires.
Weighing in at just 1375kg when fully fueled, the Aston Martin Cygnet V8 boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 313bhp/tonne. This translates to blistering performance, outperforming even the V8 Vantage S in acceleration, achieving 0-60mph in a mere 4.2 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 170mph, a significant increase of over 60mph compared to the standard Cygnet. Braking is handled by substantial 380mm front discs with six-piston monoblock calipers and 330mm rear discs with four-piston calipers, most of which are derived from the V8 Vantage S braking system. The calipers are finished in a striking yellow, contrasting with the Buckinghamshire Green bodywork.
Inside, the V8 Cygnet’s interior reflects its performance-oriented nature. Beyond the integrated roll cage, the cabin features a fully FIA compliant fire extinguisher system and composite, fixed back Recaro bucket seats with four-point harnesses. The alcantara-clad steering wheel is removable, and a bespoke carbon dash houses the Vantage instrument cluster. Luxury touches are still present, including leather pull straps on the unique carbon door cards and twin USB ports alongside bespoke air conditioning controls.
This exceptional one-off Aston Martin Cygnet V8 serves as a reminder of the original Cygnet’s pioneering role in bringing luxury to the city car segment. With Cygnet values on the rise, this V8 version is undoubtedly destined for classic status, embodying the ultimate “pocket rocket” and captivating crowds at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This V8 Cygnet, a product of Aston Martin’s bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service, represents the pinnacle of customization and engineering creativity, proving that even the smallest car can possess a mighty heart. While the focus is clearly on raw power and performance, it’s a testament to Aston Martin’s capabilities that they can blend such extreme performance with the inherent design and, dare we say, even the potential for future integration of systems like Aston Martin Iq, even in such a unique and performance-focused build.
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 conical 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
