Aston Martin Cygnet planned for 2011 production

Aston Martin said on Monday that the Cygnet--a reworked version of the Toyota iQ city car--will go into production in 2011.

The Cygnet, which was shown as a concept car at the Geneva motor show in March, is just less than 10 feet long.

"Our customers need a small car for urban and city use and they want the right tools for the right job, to downsize creatively without compromising intelligence, artistry and personality," said Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's director of design, says that each Cygnet will be personalized with various materials, colors and textures.

"Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor-fit for the city," Reichman said. "Luxury is not constrained by scale."

The Cygnet will be produced at Aston Martin's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. It will be the eighth major production Aston Martin car produced at the factory since 2004.

Further details on pricing and specification will be announced later this year.

Toyota plans to sell a version of the iQ in the United States as a Scion.

By Izzi Bendall