Unveiling the Exclusive 2012 Aston Martin Cygnet
Under the banner of innovative collaboration, Aston Martin and Parisian fashion house, colette, have melded their crafts to introduce a special edition - the 'Cygnet & colette' luxury city car. Limited to a mere 14 bespoke units, this venture encapsulates the heart of artisanal craftsmanship with a modern urban aesthetic.
Design: An Intricate Process
The design team of Aston Martin partnered with their peers at colette to fashion an exclusive rendition of the Cygnet. Wrapped in a Lightning Silver paint job, the vehicle is accentuated with colette's signature blue details. These fashion-forward details extend from the race collection inspired front bumper and bonnet livery to mirror caps and diamond-turned road wheels. The internal styling pivots around a Bitter Chocolate theme, apparently taking cues from colette's mascot, a chocolate-brown Labrador named Oscar.
Hand-Crafted Personalisation
Bringing an unparalleled level of personalisation, Aston Martin's 'Works Tailored' service has honed every unit of the 'Cygnet & colette' to an impressive level of detail. This includes stainless steel hand-formed and engraved door handle badges, boot badging hand-enamelled with the 'Cygnet & colette' branding, and Alcantara sun visors. Inside, you'll find hand-trimmed quilted leather inserts on doors and seats, colette blue leather occasional cushions for rear seats, and personalised branding on the satellite navigation start up. Even the key ring has been given a unique touch, machined from solid aluminium with blue enamelling.
A Mixed Bag of Pros and Cons
The Cygnet, while unique in its execution and aesthetic, does not stray far from its roots. It might appeal to a specific demographic who appreciate the merge of high-end fashion and automotive design. Yet, for traditional car enthusiasts, the limited customization options and hefty price tag, starting from €48,995, might be deterrents. Moreover, while the addition of goodies like candies, a Wallpaper* Paris guide, and colette compilation CDs might seem quirky and appealing, they could also be interpreted as distractions from the car's core performance and function.
Availability and Orders
Only 14 pieces of this Aston Martin Cygnet special edition will be manufactured, underlining its exclusivity. The colette store in Paris has been entrusted with accepting orders, with deliveries projected by the end of the year.
Concluding Thoughts: A City Car in Haute Couture
The Aston Martin 'Cygnet & colette' stands as a manifestation of a luxury city car embellished with a high fashion touch. While the collaboration introduces the Cygnet to a new audience and potentially expands its urban appeal, its exclusivity and pricing could be sticking points for a broader market. As an embodiment of modernity and innovation, the car certainly raises the bar for automotive fashion. It remains to be seen if the fashion-conscious urban dwellers will embrace this limited run of hand-crafted chic city cars.
-Ed
2012 Aston Martin Cygnet
