Aston Martin announced they will enter two Cygents into the fifth annual Bridgestone Eco-Rally. That confuses Aston’s fans even more!

The Cygent, as I’m sure you know, is a Toyota iQ underneath. Aston just puts it in a fancy dress and sell it for three times the price. They say it’s the ultimate city car. Fair enough. But to say it’s an eco car, that doesn’t make sense.

I mean you buy an eco-car because you want to save money. So why in the world would you buy the Cygent for 30 grand, while you can have the exact same thing with a Toyota badge for 10 grand. Of course in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions the Cygent does fairly well with 56.5 mpg and 116 g/km, thanks t its microscopic engine.

So to be really honest, entering the 2011 Bridgestone Eco-Rally is more of a marketing thing for Aston.

One of the Cygnets entering the event will be dressed in Seychelles Blue, the paint colour of the Aston Martin DB6 Mark II Volante recently driven by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their wedding day.  Aside from the two formal entries, a third Cygnet will also be supporting the event in eye-catching ‘Flouro Orange’, the hallmark of London-based designer Tom Dixon.Driven by Aston Martin Racing regular, Darren Turner and David King, Aston Martin’s Director of Special Projects and Motorsport, the two Cygnets will be on the extended route from Exeter College, Oxford to The Mall, London.