Aston Martin has confirmed that the Cygnet - originally shown as a concept vehicle in March - is to go into production next year.
When most people think of Aston Martin they remember the iconic DB5 used by James Bond, in the 1964 film Goldfinger. However, the Cygnet's design is a far cry from the seductive and sporty curves that brought Aston Martin into the spotlight.
The Cygnet is being marketed as a 'city car' that aims to set a new benchmark for compact luxury, building upon nearly a century of experience building high performance sports cars, luxurious long-range grand tourers and competitive racing machines.
"It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don't make compromises," claimed Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez.
"Whatever we do, we do right. If we do performance, we do performance; we don't downsize or compromise our sports cars. The Cygnet needs to satisfy the demands of emissions and space. It is a car without compromise, just like every other Aston Martin.
"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.
"The Cygnet is designed to support our sports cars by providing a greater degree of freedom in the urban context; it is a very special car, a premium but compact package with a soul."
It designers say Cygnet expresses a simple but fundamental idea: in the modern city, scale equates to speed and freedom.
At just three metres long, the Cygnet gives the driver a range of advantages such as allowing it to be able to slot into gaps in traffic, exploit the smallest parking spaces, consume the least fuel and emit the lowest emissions, all while delivering exceptional levels of quality, the company says.
"Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor fit for the city," said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's director of design. "Luxury is not constrained by scale," he added.
Further details on the Aston Martin Cygnet including pricing and specification will be announced later this year. The Cygnet will be the eighth major production car Aston Martin has introduced in the UK since 2004.