The Aston Martin Cygnet is reborn with a powerful 430 CV V8 under its bonnet

Supercar brands tend to have us used to a very specific type of vehicle, but every now and then they break all the rules and surprise us with highly unusual creations. The Aston Martin Cygnet falls into this category: a city car that was given certain visual features of a supercar but which were not enough to achieve success in the market. However, the British firm has decided to give this model a second chance, with a very special one-off of the Aston Martin Cygnet being presented at the Goodwood Festival.

The English company’s city car has left behind everything that associated it with the urban world to establish itself fully in supercar territory. To do so, the small Cygnet has drawn on components from its bigger siblings and welcomed them with open arms, which has allowed it to unleash the most radical version of this curious Aston Martin.

The Cygnet has decided to take a transformative leap, adopting inside a type of mechanicals that anyone would expect from a model coming from Aston Martin. A V8 engine has been tasked with sitting in its innards, but before going into more detail we must also address the aesthetic side, since the English firm has also made significant changes.

On the one hand, we find the charismatic design that brought the Cygnet to life back in 2011, but the English firm has carried out the necessary changes so that the small sports car can handle the power of its new engine. On the one hand, we find much more prominent wheel arches, which are designed to house 19-inch wheels.

Another noteworthy aspect is the twin exhaust outlet beneath the Cygnet’s diffuser, which is responsible for transmitting the catchy melody of the naturally aspirated V8 hidden inside. This open-heart operation carried out by Aston Martin has allowed the Cygnet to inherit numerous elements from the previous generation Vantage S, such as its 8-cylinder engine capable of delivering 430 CV of power and 490 Nm of torque.

But this engine does not come alone, as the seven-speed Sportshift II automatic gearbox has also been fitted to this small but tough sports car. The brakes have also been upgraded, now measuring 380 mm with six pistons on the front axle, and 330 mm with four-piston calipers on the rear axle. At the same time, Recaro seats and a roll cage have been installed, but these more radical components have not prevented a centre console typical of a Aston Martin from being fitted.

In this way the British firm has revived one of the vehicles whose sole reason for existing was to comply with emissions regulations, but now the Cygnet is much more. This new and exclusive sports car will be driven around the Goodwood tarmac, where it will showcase its performance and let spectators enjoy its presence.