In a recent question and answer session at Coventry University, Richards revealed that hybrid Astons were not likely any time soon, but that an electric version of its Toyota iQ-based Cygnet commuter car could be a possibility.
“I never say never,” he told a packed audience of automotive design, engineering and journalism students. “They’re going to produce an electric iQ within two years. If they’re doing that and we’re basing our product on that platform there’s no reason why we wouldn’t have an electric version ourselves.”
Toyota showed its FT-EV concept, an electric car based on the iQ platform, at the Detroit show in January this year (above). A production version, known internally as the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is planned for launch in 2012.
But Richards (right) whose favourite Aston is the 6.0-litre, 510bhp DBS, might not be first in line for an electric Aston Cygnet.
“Would I drive one?” he joked to his audience, “I’m not sure...”
You can listen to the full Q&A with David Richards in this podcast from Coventry University