Do you remember the 70’s and 80’s when size was all-important? Just about every car- maker had a big car offering and luxury and prestige tended to be defined by size. But changing times have seen the likes of the Granada, the Camry and the Omega slip quietly out of the showrooms and prestige models from the likes of BMW and Mercedes have been subtly scaled down.

Now with a new generation of small cars due to be launched by premium and luxury brands, according to car consultancy firm Network Automotive, size is no longer a measure of how prestigious a car is. They believe the Mini first showed the possibility of a new path and the arrival of cars such as the Aston Martin Cygnet and Audi A1, plus the likelihood of a sub-1-Series BMW is signalling a major shift in attitudes.

A Network Automotive spokesman said, "If small, prestige cars are to succeed, they must embody the values that their manufacturer represents. They must be as well built, as stylish, as well equipped, as comfortable, as safe and as satisfying to drive as larger models. This is a challenge to everyone involved; from engineers to marketers to sales people."
Pic caption: Aston Martin Cygnet