Aston Martin working on an electric version of Cygnet

Aston Martin is developing an electric version of the Cygnet, which will be launched in its gas-powered version later in 2011, according to Britain’s Car magazine. It actually shouldn’t come as a surprise since Aston Martin officials perceive the Cygnet as a means to give its customer base a vehicle that’s both efficient and luxurious. Many cities in Europe have been adding infrastructure that would be open only to electric and/or hybrid vehicles.

In addition, Aston won’t have to concern itself with extensive engineering to build the Cygnet electric vehicle. Toyota had long been considering an electric version for the iQ city car whose gas-powered form is the basis for the regular production Cygnet.

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Toyota had displayed a production-ready version of the iQ EV. If the Cygnet EV is a mirror image of that car, it’s to be expected that the two-door will use a small electric motor to power the front wheels. A lithium-ion battery pack will be positioned under the Cygnet’s floor. It’s estimated to have a range of 65 miles per charge. This is in line with Aston’s thinking that this will be used as an urban runabout and that for longer trips, Aston owners will use the Vantage, Vanquish, Virage, Rapide, or One-77, among others.[via - 4wheelsnews]