Aston Martin’s New MINI Competitor

James Irmiger Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Umm, really?

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Collin Ryser Jun 29th, 2009 Link

HAAHAHAHAAAAAA Oh thats hilarious!!!

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JonPD Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Interesting move, although I think Smart has more to fear this move than Mini does.

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eager2own Jun 29th, 2009 Link

What next? a MINI by Rolls Royce?

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Roger Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Are you sure that this press release wasn’t issued 4/1? ;^)

On a more serious note, in looking at the UK IQ website, I didn’t see anything unusual about the seating arrangement — what makes it 3+1? Sure looks like the usual 2+2 to me.

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JonPD Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Now here is more interesting news that should give Mini concern.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=151550

A confirmation that the 500 is coming to the states, being built North America and will be badged as a Fiat. The 500 Abarth SS was basically built to fit the US market so betting we will see it soon.

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Keenan Hateley Jun 29th, 2009 Link

I…uuh…. don’t know what to think? some kind of sick joke?

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Philip Hubertus Jun 29th, 2009 Link

The PR piece is not dated April 1st is it??

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Stephen Powell Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Wow and it is no where near April Fools Day.

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rkw Jun 29th, 2009 Link

what makes it 3+1? Sure looks like the usual 2+2 to me

They call it 3+1 because the configuration makes it difficult to fit an adult in the rear seat behind the driver.

Fifth Gear really likes it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4HC6jtc5WY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSB1nfX_3sU

Why does everybody here think it’s a joke?

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TSizemore3 Jun 29th, 2009 Link

What’s next? The Maybach fortwo? The Jaguar Nano? The Porsche Polo? The McLaren Robin? I understand that with the upcoming realities of future fossil fuel supplies and government regulations even the most rarefied of car companies are going to be looking for strategic partnerships to help meet environmental and fuel economy goals. What the manufacturers have to ask themselves is does this particular pairing help or hurt their brand image?

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Ducky Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Love that Aston Martin grille on the iQ.

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gokartride Jun 29th, 2009 Link

The iQ will attract many who love Minis….not all, but some. MINI driving dynamics are still unsurpassed, but at 30-40 mph I’m sure the iQ will be more than up to the task while offering superb mpg. It’s innovations are quite clever really.

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C4 Jun 29th, 2009 Link

I love MINI but I am not a fanboi. Other manufacturers have taken note of the MINI recipe and success formula. If MINI falls asleep at the wheel others will take advantage. In order for MINI to succeed they need to be 2 or 10 steps ahead of the game at all times. The segment is becoming more hotly contested and the days when MINI was the only game in town and the novelty to be see in are over.

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bee1000 Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Toyota iQ by Aston Martin, kinda like the old Isuzu “handling by Lotus” cars. How are they going to fit a V12 into that thing?

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scotteast Jun 29th, 2009 Link

It’s the new most pointless car on the planet!

And bee1000, the only thing worse than the Isuzu cars with the ‘handling by Lotus’ badge were the Lotus cars with Isuzu on the valve covers.

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gokartride Jun 29th, 2009 Link

This may be a case where MINI’s (and the Fiat 500’s for that matter) “iconic looks” may work against them to a degree. Having more design flexibility on exterior aerodynamics and interior packaging may well help produce a very fine microcar that “genetically” is just as Mini as anything we have seen. The iQ does seem to take the “wheels at the corner” thing to an intriguing extreme!! Now for a little suspension tuning, perhaps?? I remember many of us yearning for a smaller MINI. Would/could it look something like this, given such impressive safety ratings??

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Douglas Elliott Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Ridiculous!

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JohnPC Jun 29th, 2009 Link

The news page on Aston Martin’s website seems a little less sure that this car will be produced. It actually uses the word, “concept” several times.

http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=ee5fb483-3a1f-43c0-98f5-942854135911

I kind of dig this thing, though.

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TSizemore3 Jun 29th, 2009 Link

Scene from a future James Bond sequel…

007 and Q are in Q’s lab for the usual unveiling of 007’s car for his new mission. Q explains that due to budget cuts and the new austerity program implemented by the PM at Downing Street, his new car will the Aston Martin iQ by Toyota. Q has no sooner lifted the cover off Bond’s new ride as he shot between the eyes. The scene cuts to Bond stomping off muttering to himself that he had saved the world too many times to deserve this and that he wonders if Spectre is hiring.

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Dave Pevsner Jun 30th, 2009 Link

on one hand, this is going to hilariously and shamelessly dilute the aston martin name.

on another, it gives aston martin access to a market segment it never had any reach into ever before.

my personal opinions are, let aston run the interior design team, and tune the suspension, because a best-selling aston martin has to handle like a true aston martin, and ought to feel like one on the inside. if that means ponying up a little bit more money to replace the 5-speed stick with a 6-speed sequential, and putting shift paddles that sit flush with the top of the steering wheel, so be it. if that means making the wheels a good 3 inches wider and stiffening the suspension, so be it. this car could sell really well if toyota and aston do it the right way, but if they botch it up, it’s going to be humiliating for both.

heck, if they do it the right way, i might even buy one as a weekend warrior, in a few years when they hit the used car market.

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Douglas Elliott Jun 30th, 2009 Link

I agree with TSizemore. I could lose my aspiration for owning an Aston, which I have had since my first Aston, a Corgi from 1975, if they build the iQ.

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Chad Jun 30th, 2009 Link

If they didn’t sell it, but instead made it a $35,000 option package available on any other Aston Martin, I think it would be brilliant. It would maintain the prestige, as it would clearly say “my other car is a DBS, DB9, Vantage, etc.” while also communicating “and I understand that it’s not always responsible to drive it.” Brilliant.

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Chad Jun 30th, 2009 Link

Ah, I see, that’s exactly what they’re doing. It’s not about reaching a different market segment, it’s about giving existing clientele something that makes them feel good about themselves. Excellent idea.

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Ron Jun 30th, 2009 Link

Fantastic. Truly and sincerely, fantastic. Bravo to Aston. Probably one of the smartest things I’ve seen any luxury auto maker do in years.

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Christian L. Jul 8th, 2009 Link

Oh wow, I’m surprise Aston Martin is doing this too. I thought Rolce Royce is making one too.

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Christian L. Jul 8th, 2009 Link

I guess if every computer companies are going for netbooks, why can’t sports car makers make tiny cars… bring on the radical concept designs.

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Rufus McDufus Jul 27th, 2009 Link

The iQ does not have a 3+1 seating arrangement. It is a standard 4 seat.

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