Aliás, o Aston Martin Cygnet existiu apenas porque a legislação britânica exigia um limite máximo de emissões de poluentes para toda a gama de modelos de uma marca de automóveis.
Com um modelo urbano, impulsionado por um propulsor de 1,3 litro e 97 CV de potência, a Aston Martin conseguiu reduzir a sua meta de emissões, ao mesmo tempo que manteve seus V8 e V12 aspirados, desta forma, não foi incomodada pelos ambientalistas do governo.
Bem, até agora, pelo menos. Pois a Aston Martin pegou um de seus Cygnet produzidos e realizou um projeto único, ou one-of-a-kind, como eles dizem por lá. O objetivo do trabalho? Simplesmente trocar o motor 1.3 L4 de 97 CV pelo 4.7 V8 de 430 CV do Aston Martin Vantage S!
Então, a marca precisou modificar o chassi, a parede corta-fogo, as torres da suspensão dianteira e o túnel da transmissão, além de criar uma versão mais curta do eixo de transmissão do Vantage S, para acomodar o motor V8 o câmbio automático Speedshift II de sete marchas. Assim, o Aston Martin Cygnet V8 Concept, assim como o Vantage S, possui somente tração nas rodas traseiras.
O novo console central, mais elevado, dividiu o carro ao meio. Os assentos originais foram substituídos por bancos Recaro. Já que tanto motor e transmissão foram herdados do Aston Martin Vantage S, por que não receber o painel de instrumentos também?
Por isso, um novo painel, de fibra de carbono, foi construído para ser instalado no Aston Martin Cygnet V8 Concept, com o quadro de instrumentos também oriundo do Vantage S. Desta forma, nenhuma reprogramação de ECU foi necessária, simplificando a adaptação do conjunto mecânico.
As mudanças não ficaram só no interior do veículo. O visual destoa completamente do carro original. O Aston Martin Cygnet V8 Concept ganhou bitolas maiores, para-lamas salientes e sistema de freios com diâmetros de disco de 380 mm nas rodas dianteiras e 330 mm nas traseiras.
A performance resultante vale a pena todo o esforço dispensado, apesar do novo conjunto mecânico fazer o carro ganhar 375 kg de peso. Antes, o Aston Martin Cygnet original levava 11,5 segundos para sair da inércia e atingir os 100 km/h e chegar à velocidade máxima de 170 km/h. Agora, o Aston Martin Cygnet V8 Concept precisa só de 4,2 segundos para realizar a mesma aceleração e atinge até 274 km/h de velocidade máxima.
Caso você seja abastado o suficiente, antes que você pegue o telefone e ligue para a Aston Martin, saiba que o Aston Martin Cygnet V8 Concept não será produzido para o cliente final e a única unidade construída não está à venda.
ASTON MARTIN V8 CYGNET: THE ULTIMATE CITY CAR
- A one-off creation for a customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service
- 4.7-litre, naturally aspirated V8 sits under the bonnet and drives the rear wheels
- Carbon composite flared wheel arch extensions
- Power-to-weight ratio of 313bhp/tonne
Thursday 12 July 2018, Goodwood: One of the most exciting, outrageous and diminutive creations ever to wear the famous Aston Martin wings will be making its world debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Dubbed the ‘The Ultimate City Car’, a one-off Aston Martin Cygnet has been built with a 4.7-litre, 430bhp V8 engine from the Vantage S and a very short torque tube.
The V8 Cygnet has been brought to life for a single customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service. This section of the British marque’s bespoke personalisation service allows the ultimate in freedom of expression when designing an Aston Martin and the V8 Cygnet continues to push these boundaries.
Aston Martin Vice President & Special Operations Officer, David King said: “The V8 Cygnet shows the fun side of both Aston Martin and its customers. It is also a fine example of the engineering talent within the company as it’s no small achievement to fit the Vantage’s V8 engine so harmoniously into the Cygnet’s compact body. I am sure that it will amaze and thrill people when they see and hear it on the hill at the Festival of Speed.”
Developed in-house by Aston Martin’s engineers, the starting point for the project was a right-hand drive Cygnet steel body shell and panels. A roll cage was welded to this, becoming an integral part of the chassis in the process, while a new front bulkhead and transmission tunnel were fabricated from sheet metal to accommodate the characterful 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 Vantage S powertrain. Subframes and suspension are also derived from the previous generation Vantage and a steel fuel tank housing has been mounted in the boot area, utilizing every inch of space.
Despite all this work, the car remains very recognisably a Cygnet from the outside. The face of the little Aston Martin remains largely untouched, with no extra bulges in the bonnet and just a subtle black mesh for the famous grille. However, there is no disguising the extra width of the wheel arches. In order to accommodate the significantly wider front and rear tracks, beautiful carbon composite flared extensions were made. These also house the new forged, five-spoke, diamond-turned wheels, which have grown from 16” to 19” in diameter.
At the rear of the car the distinguishing new feature of the V8 Cygnet is the central twin exhaust pipes. The exhaust is a bespoke system with twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic converters. With relatively short distances involved from manifold to tail pipe the V8 Cygnet has a voice that belies its compact size.
The engine itself is the 4.7-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 that is more usually found beneath the bonnet of the previous-generation Vantage S. Bespoke intake trunking had to be designed and there are twin conical air filters. There is no sense in which the engine has been neutered for the Cygnet, however, with power and torque figures remaining at 430bhp and 490NM (361lb ft) respectively.
The gearbox is also taken from the V8 Vantage S with a seven-speed Sportshift II transmission taking care of the shifting. Power is transferred via a miniature torque tube to the 9.5” rear wheels, which are complemented by 275/35 Bridgestone tyres.
Weighing just 1375kg when full of fluids, the V8 Cygnet has a power-to-weight ratio of 313bhp/tonne. As a result, the V8 Cygnet is capable of accelerating faster than the V8 Vantage S with 0-60mph taking just 4.2 seconds. With a top speed of 170mph it is over 60mph faster than the regular Cygnet.
Braking is taken care of by 380mm discs clamped by six-piston monoblock calipers at the front and 330mm discs gripped by four-piston mono block calipers at the rear. The calipers are painted yellow to contrast with the Buckinghamshire green of the bodywork. Most of the remaining parts of the braking system are taken from the V8 Vantage S with ABS and a fixed brake bias valve. Inside, there is a bespoke brake pedal housed in the V8 Vantage-derived pedal box.
The rest of the interior is largely indicative of the fact that this V8 Cygnet could easily be used for competition. In addition to the roll cage there is a fully FIA compliant fire extinguisher system and seating is taken care of by composite, fixed back Recaro bucket seats with four-point harnesses. The alcantara covered steering wheel is removable and behind this sits a bespoke carbon dash with the familiar Vantage instrument cluster. There are, of course, little touches of luxury inside as well, with leather pull straps on the unique carbon door cards and two USB ports alongside the bespoke controls for the air conditioning.
This very special one-off Cygnet is a timely reminder of what a ground-breaking car the original was, bringing luxury to the city car segment. What’s more, the market place shows that prices of Cygnets are rising as it looks set to become a future classic. Of course, classic status is already almost assured for this new V8 version of the Cygnet that epitomises the concept of a ‘pocket rocket’ and is sure to be a firm favourite of the crowds at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend as it joins a plethora of other Aston Martins on the hillclimb.
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 concial 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
Rear Track: 1560mm
Weight: 1375kg (kerbweight)
Weight Distribution: 50%/50% (Front/Rear)
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