The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The shock announcement
On 29th June 2009 Aston Martin released a single image of a full size clay model. It showed a small city car with a distinctive, but large, grill, and a full width front spoiler. In the accompanying release it was disclosed that it was based on the Toyota iQ, and that although it would retain the iQ’s engine and running gear it would feature Aston’s own bespoke interior.
The motoring press loved the V8 Cygnet
LP62ZFM
“Kimi” (KM12ZSZ) was starting to be used on various events that added significantly to its mileage. This included potential long distance European rallies. So I decided it would be an idea to get a higher mileage Cygnet that could used for the longest events as well asusing it as a true daily driver.
As such I was also looking for an automatic. Searching the adverts during 2025 and 2026, I found a 2012 CVT gearbox car in black (non-metallic) with black leather and contrasting white stitching, at Stratstone Aston Martin Western Avenue, where I made their salesperson Richard Brett happy with a quick cash sale. The car had done 62,748 miles in 14 years with its 2 previous keepers.
I usually name my cars after their number plates, but LP62 ZFM does not lend to a simple name. Furthermore, "the black car" had been used by Aston Martin for the 1921 prototype A3 (after its original politically incorrect name was replaced), so I had to come up with something else. Given that Aston Martin's primary non-metallic (solid) black paint is "Jet Black", I decided "Joan", after the rocker Joan Jett, was a suitable name.
"Kimi" is still used for special events, but "Joan" is now the daily driver and workhorse for long distance Navigational and Road Rallies.
