Aston Martin DBX: Two Poles Envision Aston’s Future

In terms of coolness, Aston Martin’s are ice cold, baby. You have proper classics like the DB5 and the DB4GT Zagato and modern classics like the Vanquish and DBS. The less said about the Cygnet the better. So now there’s a new kid on the block, the Virage, for those who want something a little faster than the DB9 but not quite as fast as the DBS.

So that’s that, then? Well, no quite. You see, it’s getting to the stage where you need a trainspotters guide to tell one Aston model from another. They’re great cars, though without a tape measure and an eye for subtle differences in head- and taillights and body vents, they’re very similar looking. Too similar, one might say.

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Supercar Concepts from the Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show

Automotive design students from UK's Swansea Metropolitan University tapped into the deepest wells of their imagination to create their final year projects and exhibit them at the 2010 Degree Show, which was held in July at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea Marina. Thanks to the crew over from 'Car Body Design', we can show you some of the conceptual projects that were on display.

These include the Alfa Romeo Stradale 50, a mid-engined supercar said to combine the curvy lines of the 8C Competizione with the more angular detailing of the 159 and Brera; the Duesenberg 2100 that revives the iconic brand from Indiana with a futuristic take on the Art Deco theme; the exotic BMW Formula 1; the Ginetta G80 sports coupe and last but not least, the Aston Martin Viceroy. Follow the jump below for the photo gallery.

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Xenatec Shows Off its "Dream Cars": Bentley SUV, BMW 6-Series Sedan and More

Now that their limited production Maybach 57S Coupe (see here) has made the rounds, here are some of the other proposals from Xenatec. Since the company's specialty is chassis modification (and the necessary body work thereafter), they've got some ideas for a lengthened (and shortened) "dream cars".

Have a look at the gallery below and see what tickles your fancy. The SUV limos are a bit much, but the rag-top conversions don't look too bad (especially the CLS and 300).

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Aston Martin Gauntlet Design Concept by Ugur Sahin

*Be Warned: The ass-end of this car looks positively divine.

Ugur Sahin Design, the firm behind the (still upcoming?) Z03 which was to be built by Mallett, decided to update Aston's lineup with a design study called the Gauntlet.

The intent was "to design a car which is technically almost identical to the existing production Aston Martins while defining a design character that outmost respects the impressive history of the brand and combine the timeless lines of the past Aston Martins with the modern interpretation of the existing styling."

Here's how I see it: a car like the DB9, but with a coach-built look and feel.

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Aston Martin Shows Cygnet in Geneva, Wants Kids to Know it's What's on the Outside that Counts [with Gallery]

Aston Martin is calling its Cygnet a "tailor-made solution" to the city transportation equation, a personal luxury commuter "designed for the heart of the city", the result of a collaboration between "two companies that are leaders in their respective fields".

Really, it's an Aston-skinned Toyota (a name they mention ONCE in the entire 1600+ word press release ... DENIAL AIN'T JUST A RIVER IN AFRICA, PEOPLE!).

That means this AMiQ retains the same basic layout of Toyota's version, allowing for a few different seating arrangements: 2+2, 2+1, or just plain 2. It also has the same 98bhp 4-cylinder engine with either a 6-speed stick or optional CVT.

But enough already. For any major facts such as dimensions, feel free to check out our posts on the Toyota iQ, because we're here to discuss how this Cygnetic parasite differs from its Japanese host.

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Aston Martin Veloce: Conceptual Study for a DB9 Replacement

The Aston Martin Veloce is a well executed styling exercise for a more dynamic replacement to the British brand's DB9 supercar and it was sent to us by Marouane Bembli, a 24-year old industrial design student from Sweden. You may remember him from one of his previous works that we showed you here on Carscoop back in November '09, the Audi R10 V10 supercar concept study. Hit the jump for the gallery and why not, leave a comment with your take on the concept.

Design: Marouane Bembli

VIDEO: Aston Martin goes Viral with Cygnet Mini

To begin with, there's no official information about this short film, but unless someone managed to sneak into Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, we have to assume that the British supercar maker and soon-to-become a re-badger of Japanese minis, created the viral video to ignite some online attention on its controversial Cygnet mini.

The Aston Martin-ized Toyota iQ is shown towards the end of the clip and after a minute or so of some guys practicing the French freestyle/urban sport of Parkour that involves negotiating obstacles using just the human body.

To gear heads like ourselves, this film makes as much sense as Aston Martin's decision to go ahead with the Cygnet project... Video after the break.

Via: Autoblog.com

Aston Martin Cygnet: First Official Photos of Toyota iQ-Based Mini, Goes on Sale in 2010

As strange as it may sound, this is Aston Martin's new premium mini car, the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet. The British supercar maker had previewed the Cygnet earlier this year with a clay-covered prototype, but these are the first official photos of the production-ready concept model.

The Cygnet looks like the iQ because that's what it is; a retrimmed Toyota. Aston Martin's designers essentially took numerous design cues from their sports cars like the trademark grille and air-vents and applied them on the small Toyota without making any other changes on the car's shape.

Unique styling features on the outside are limited to the pop-up handles, reshaped front and rear bumpers, specific head and tail lamps, and newly designed multispoke alloy wheels.

The same goes for the Cygnet's cabin which has been adorned with premium materials and different trim, but other than that, it retains the iQ's basic architecture and design.

Aston Martin chose not to release any information on the car's hardware, but it is believed that the iQ's 1.33-liter petrol engine will be carried over to the Cygnet.

The firm's plan is to initially sell the Cygnet to current and future Aston Martin owners with a general release to follow at a later date.

Aston Martin said that it will continue to develop the Cygnet, but expects to have the car into production and on sale in the UK and Europe before the end of 2010.

Even though the Cygnet is nothing more than a more premium Toyota with DB9 styling cues, the mini will get an Aston Martin price tag, estimated to be somewhere around £20,000 or about $32,000 - €22,000 at today's exchange rates.

Aston Martin Cygnet

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Toyota iQ

New Photos of Aston Martin Lagonda Crossover Concept, What's Up with the Retro Seat Cushions?

We know that most of you would rather forget about Aston Martin's conceptual nightmare endeavor to revive the Lagonda nameplate with the aptly named Concept at the 2009 Geneva Show Concept, but new images of the luxury crossover have popped up on the automaker's site. Q67JA9WA82WC

Well, to be completely frank, the reason why we chose to share these pictures with you are those laughable cushions seen on the independent rear seats that take us back a few decades. Oddly enough, Aston Martin's home decorators skipped on the fuzzy dice...

The four-seater Lagonda Concept is based on the mechanicals of the Mercedes GL-Class with power coming from a V12 engine - apparently the same one found in the DB9. Aston Martin has not made any new announcements concerning the future of the Concept crossover.

Source: Aston Martin , Via: Egmcartech