Niche automakers like Aston Martin are facing increasing difficulties with our overcrowded planet. On the one hand, emissions regulations are tightening, forcing automakers to reduce their carbon footprint across their range. On the other, big GTs like those that Aston builds, svelte though they are, are becoming increasingly inconvenient for navigating crowded city streets. Aston's answer to both these problems is the Cygnet, and it's just been announced for production.
The city car shown until now in concept form is based heavily on the Toyota iQ, but in Cygnet form will be hand-assembled at Aston's factory at Gaydon in Warwickshire, England, alongside the company's Grand Tourers. Production is slated to begin next year in 2011, with pricing and specifications due to be announced later this year. Official announcement in the press release after the jump, updated high-res image gallery below.
