Comments on: Aston Martin’s New MINI Competitor

By: Rufus McDufus

Rufus McDufus — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:40:10 +0000

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

By: Christian L.

Christian L. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:25:25 +0000

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.

By: Christian L.

Christian L. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:18:00 +0000

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

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:11:55 +0000

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

By: Chad

Chad — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:43:52 +0000

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.

By: Chad

Chad — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:41:37 +0000

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.

By: Douglas Elliott

Douglas Elliott — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:07:06 +0000

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.

By: Dave Pevsner

Dave Pevsner — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:48:23 +0000

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.

By: TSizemore3

TSizemore3 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:49:13 +0000

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.

By: JohnPC

JohnPC — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:47:55 +0000

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.

By: Douglas Elliott

Douglas Elliott — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:04:24 +0000

Ridiculous!

By: gokartride

gokartride — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:20:24 +0000

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??

By: scotteast

scotteast — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:12:39 +0000

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.

By: bee1000

bee1000 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:58:52 +0000

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?

By: C4

C4 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:01:35 +0000

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.

By: gokartride

gokartride — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:24:50 +0000

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.

By: Ducky

Ducky — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:21:52 +0000

Love that Aston Martin grille on the iQ.

By: TSizemore3

TSizemore3 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:09:34 +0000

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?

By: rkw

rkw — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:04:08 +0000

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?

By: Stephen Powell

Stephen Powell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:30:30 +0000

Wow and it is no where near April Fools Day.