Autocar reports sources having suggested that a feasibility study has already been completed on the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet, and that the 6.0-liter V12 from its range-topping cars will fit the tiny city car's engine bay without extensive modifications.

Other upgrades to allow the car to handle the weight, horsepower and torque of the powertrain are said to be “significant but not insurmountable.” It is likely, however, that the V12 would have to be detuned significantly from the 510hp it produces in the new DB9 and Vantage models.

The Cygnet is currently sold in one state of tune, powered by Toyota's 97hp 1.3-liter unit.

If Aston gives the go-ahead for a production Cygnet V12, it is likely to be sold as a project car much like the Nissan Juke R has been. The Juke R, which fits the Nissan GT-R's running gear into a Juke supermini body, sells for around $640,000. It was put into limited production, mainly for the Middle East market, following a positive reaction to the concept car's creation.