After its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show last March, Aston Martin has kept its One-77 supercar under wraps, until now. Making its U.S. debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, we had a chance to get more familiar with the car at a private event the night before.

The best thing about the DBS Volante is that, top down, you can more thoroughly appreciate the sound of the Aston’s viciously powerful V12 engine.

Aston Martin has just released details of an upcoming concept car the luxury British automaker is working on… and it’s not at all what you might expect. Rather than a high-powered exotic, this new machine, called the Cygnet, is a tiny commuter car.

The Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ and while it sounds like an April Fool’s joke, the reality is that this mini-car has a lot of potential. For starters, Aston Martin is working on giving the Cygnet a unique Aston Martin look and a serious luxury interior. No doubt owners, particularly in large European urban centers, could use a vehicle like this and then take their $300,000 DBS out to the country on the weekend.

There is, however, an additional (and very strong)  reason the Cygnet may become a reality, and that is the increasingly restrictive fuel-economy regulations in both Europe and the United States. If Aston Martin builds a car like this with what will no doubt be a tiny fuel-efficient engine, it will offset the gas-sucking V8s and V12s that are used in the rest of the company’s lineup.

Currently the Toyota iQ is offered overseas with three engines, the most potent of which makes 99hp from a 1.33-liter gasoline engine.

“Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organization of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ,” said Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez. “Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future. This concept – akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht – will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.”

Dr. Bez even alluded to selling the Cygnet like an add-on package to compliment one of the company’s pricier models. “The offering of a ‘Cygnet’ with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level,” he said.

According to Automotive News, the Cygnet could be made available to current and prospective Aston Martin owners as early as next year with mass-market sales following the year after. The price of the Cygnet is expected to be around 23,000 Euros – or roughly $32,000.

[Source: Automotive News]

Official release after the jump:

When you get to a vehicle at the level of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster it becomes as much about individuality as it does about performance. This is, to a certain extent, why models from the British brand command such a premium.

Aston Martin unveiled a completed version of its One-77 supercar at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este over the weekend and those lucky enough to be there were not disappointed. The car was entered into the design contest for concept cars and prototypes and it easily took the top prize, the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award, with more than 30 percent of the total votes.

With the official launch of Aston Martin’s four-door Rapide set for later this year, the luxury British automaker has already started teasing us with bits of info. Most important for many is the powerplant.

Just three months away from the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Aston Martin debuted its team of overall contenders in the LMP1 class during the first test session on Sunday.

During the company’s press conference at the Geneva Auto Show, Aston Martin’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez announced that the British automaker intends to race its new V12 Vantage at the Nürburgring 24 Hour race in May.

Not only did Aston Martin use the Geneva Auto Show to show-off, for the first time, its One-77 supercar; the company also brought along a cut-away model that shows the entire carbon-fiber chassis. And is it ever impressive.

Just as the design of Aston Martin vehicles over the past two decades has brought the company back from the brink of extinction, it’s the company’s engineering that will keep it around and have it attracting more customers. The DB9 and Vantage are both breathtaking models, and while they appeal to one’s aesthetic sensibilities, comparatively, when it comes to their full range of capabilities, they do lack a performance edge to match their looks. Not so with the company’s new flagship, the DBS.

The rumors were right and Aston Martin will bring a convertible version of its impressive DBS flagship vehicle to the Geneva Auto Show in March.

You’ve got to hand it to those guys over at Aston Martin, they just keep coming up with ideas that seem too good to be true, and then deliver on our wildest dreams by making them a reality. Case in point: the V12 Vantage that the company will officially unveil at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

After releasing the first production pictures of its Rapide saloon, there is now a rumor from Aston Martin that the company will bring two new models to the Geneva Auto Show: a car based on the V12 Vantage RS Concept and a drop-top version of the flagship DBS.

It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since Aston Martin first unveiled the Rapide Concept at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Despite the lengthy delay in getting this sporty sedan to market, Aston has consistently reiterated its commitment to the swoopy saloon and now the company has finally released the first photos of the production model Rapide.

With signature Aston Martin good looks, the Rapide will go up agaisnt vehicles like Porsche’s Panamera.

Up front the lower air intake is just one large unit as opposed to the several smaller ones on the concept car. From a profile it looks very much the same, as it does from the rear – where the hatchback aspect has been retained.

Based on the DB9’s platform, the Rapide has a 10-inch longer wheel base and is 2.5-inches taller. Both of these changes make the rear passenger area liveable and allow for the swooping roof-line to not impede the comfort of the rear passengers. The Rapide will be a 2+2, with no space for a third passenger in the rear.

The vehicle will be powered by a familiar 6.0-liter V12 engine with an output of 480hp and will feature a six-speed automatic tranmsission with Aston’s new Touchtronic manual shift mode.

In total the sedan will weight 287lbs more than the DB9 for a total of roughly 4,275. All that heft should retard performance, but only slightly. We expect a 0-60 mph time in the mid 4-second range.

Reportedly, the Rapide will officially be unveiled at the Frankfurt of LA Auto Shows but there is also a slight possibiity it will emerge at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

Official Rapide Concept Car release after the jump:

While every other automaker in the world seems to be pulling out of motorsports Aston Martin is getting more involved (and in a big way) announcing that it will take on none other than Audi in the LMP1 Class at the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The cars will be based on the 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola and will be powered by the same production-based Aston Martin V12 engine that has rewarded the company with two consecutive GT1 titles in the GT1 Class with the DBR9.

Aston Martin will run two cars throughout the entire European Le Mans Series and have so far chosen all but one of the drivers. The pilots will be Jan Charouz (CZ), Tomas Enge (CZ), Stefan Mücke (DE), Darren Turner (GB) and Harold Primat (CH).

“Racing has been, and still is at the heart of Aston Martin,” says Aston’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez . “Our cars today are subtle, elegant and handcrafted but they still have the genes for competition. I am happy that we have found partners who, with their support, will enable us to compete at the highest level of endurance racing. We will put all our heart and skill behind this project to demonstrate the essence of Aston Martin: Power Beauty and Soul.”

Aston Chairman David Richards is optimistic but also realistic, commenting that, “we do not underestimate the task. While we have won the GT1 class for the last two years, competing against the proven speed and endurance of the diesel-powered cars with all their years of winning the prototype class, will be a massive undertaking. Nonetheless, I see this as a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity of British engineering talent.”

Be sure to watch Aston Martin take on Audi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 13/14.

Official release after the jump:

While Aston Martin isn’t releasing any more information on its upcoming supercar, the One-77, the British automaker has provided full images of the mysterious beast. If you recall, Aston Martin did bring the car to the Paris Auto Show, where it sat in a prominent position. With the exception of a small portion of the front of the car, however, Aston kept it under-wraps. Visible then was a headlight and a somewhat oddly shaped intake. This strange shape worried us as it’s unlike any previous Aston Martin design.
Our fears that Aston designers might have botched the project have now been put at ease with these latest photos. The One-77 is stunning and looks every part the supercar that Aston claims it is.
With a 7.3-liter V-12 engine, an all aluminum body and a carbon fiber chassis, the One-77 will be an historic supercar. It even has an historic asking price… $2.1 million.

More pictures after the jump:

Welcome to the AutoGuide.com News Blog, your comprehensive source for breaking automotive news. Our staff of writers and contributors will keep you updated on all aspects of the auto industry, from vehicle unveilings, to concept cars, to news from auto shows, the aftermarket and the world of motorsports.