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Aston Martin has revealed new pictures of its smallest ever car: the Cygnet commuter concept. The vehicle is based on Toyota's iQ city car and features Aston Martin's trademark front grille and design.

Prices will start at around £20,000 if it goes on sale next year - but drivers must buy an Aston Martin, or already own one - to buy a Cygnet.

Aston Martin isn't planning to alter the engineering of the Toyota iQ, so the Cygnet should emit 110g/km of CO2 and cost just £20 per year to tax.

Aston Martin's product communications manager Matthew Clarke said: "The Cygnet was not the result of a motivation to lower Aston Martin's CO2 emissions. Around 25 to 30 per cent of our customers own this type of car, and we aim to reach this gap in the market."

Aston Martin has sold 510 cars in 2009 but it sold 1,565 in 2008. The collaboration with Toyota makes the Cygnet Aston Martin's first city concept car, sitting alongside supercars such as the DBS, DB9 and Vantage.

Aston Martin's Chief executive Dr Ulrich Bez said: "Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take its first bold step to embark on this special project.

"This concept will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market."

Aston Martin confirmed the Cygnet could be available as early as 2011.

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