Performance Review: Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Cygnet Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Aston-Martin Cygnet has a 1329cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cygnet shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cygnet's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 930 kgs (2050 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin Cygnet shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1329cc 16V St4 engine produces 97 bhp (72 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 92 lb-ft (124.7 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin Cygnet you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 BMW X5 4.4 V8 (129.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin Cygnet.

The Aston-Martin Cygnet has a Power to weight ratio of 104.3 bhp per ton and 98.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 Cygnet competing with the 1999 BMW X5 4.4 V8 (129.3 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (129.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Aston-Martin Cygnet generating around 98.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (123.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - JDM (123.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.6 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition as fast as the 1981 Mercedes 230 CE (11.20 secs) the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (11.20 secs) the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs) the or the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs). This Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition is also faster than the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs) the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs) the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (11.50 secs) the and the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (11.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cygnet and the 1989 Audi 200 2.2T 20v Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Cygnet on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.2 secs @ 79.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Audi 200 2.2T 20v Quattro (17.15 secs), the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto (17.16 secs), and the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (17.16 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 Cygnet equals the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition then how about the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph), the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (117 mph), or the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (117 mph).

Related Links:

2011 Cygnet Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison