as new greener methods of electricity generation will result in the hydrogen itself becoming even greener, which is a much better solution.

We'd need to step up the green electrickery production somewhat to replace all the transport power with the highly inefficient cracking of water to get hydrogen. We are barely able to produce a fraction of the uk's current elec usage with its currently available renewable capability, even if we scale up and use every possible renewable resource we may jsut be able to cover our own growing elec needs. And you want to throw all of our transport fuel needs into the mix too? You'd best get working on the technology then!

The point is that people won't pay a massive premium for a car like that – not in sufficient numbers to make it viable as a profit maker. There simply isn't the 'value added' in sticking an AM badge on something that is no better than the competition, and the margin for improvement in that sector is miniscule – nowhere near akin to the differences between a family hatchback and a V12 supercar.

What makes a car succesful in the super mini or eco city car class is completely different. The most successful are cheap, quirky, fun and funky. They appeal to younger buyers and buyers who aspire to be young. That car doesn't do that and will never succeed. The Aston brand is too diometrically opposed to the values that guarantee success in that sector.

CK, you are suggesting that only a super can be the epitome of engineering excellence. I disagree. They may however be the ultimate application of engineering to create power.

The amount of engineering and innovation going into say a modern diesel is quite remarkable really especially when you consider you can buy it all for what, £12k. It's even more sophisticated in the US where they have NOx traps as well as DPFs. The VW white paper from the late 70s about diesels makes fascinating reading. They seem to have tasked their engineers with making workable diesel car engines, and following their development over the last 30 years is a great engineering story I think.

The Prius is also an amazing engineering feat. There's so much innovation in that car that I really think it represents an engineering triumph.

The Aston Martin Cygnet Concept is a bold step towards a new form of transportation; the luxury commuter car, a form of personal transportation that sees the company's core values engage with a new environment

LOL, what a load of pish.

back to this topic, has anyone seen the page on this car in the latest topgear magazine?

got to be a wind up?

It's a bit like a Smart Car and A class.

It's for folk that want a 'Badge' but don't have or want to spend the money.

The A1 looks nice though 🙂