New Toyota Aygo hits the streets

“The new Aygo combines a distinctive, sporty and unashamedly funky design with a comprehensive specification level, great fuel efficiency and proven Toyota QDR, which will undoubtedly appeal to the young and young at heart”, says Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at Toyota South Africa.

An X-Terior with Attitude

From the onset, the new Aygo announces its presence with bold, dramatic styling infused with a cheeky attitude. Taking centre stage is a prominent “X”-motif in the front grille which extends upwards to the A-pillar and side mirrors to create a unique identity and strong road presence, reaffirming that the new Aygo is no shrinking violet. The result is a decidedly cheeky, five-door hatch which exudes a sporty, youthful and energetic image and is perfectly suited to tackle the cityscape.

The lower half of the “X” frames the central air-dam which extends to the edges of the front bumper. Sporty air intake slats compliment the “X”, adding a unique x-factor to the front view. Angular headlights featuring projector halogen technology provide excellent illumination of the road ahead and seamlessly blend into the X-motif, to project a confident attitude to passers-by.

The side profile features a strong design line which intersects the silhouette while the rear door sill has a noticeable upward flick, adding to the funky look and creating a streamlined profile. The rear side windows retain the characteristic pop-out design.

The roof features a ‘double-bubble’ design, to not only provide ample headroom, but also add flair to the overall design. This design uses twin convex domes on either side of the roof, with a flat central roof section, thereby forming the double-bubble.

Moving to the rear, the edgy vertical theme is carried through. A large black glass panel forms the hatch, which is flanked by stylish, boomerang shaped rear tail-lamps also incorporating aero-stabilising ‘Sakana’ fins.

The new Toyota Aygo. Picture: Supplied

The rear bumper plays host to a large ‘x-shaped’ gloss black insert which ties in with the rear glasshouse area, giving the Aygo a sporty and sassy look. Fourteen-inch steel wheels with stylised covers provide low rolling resistance and ease of manoeuvrability. Dimensionally the new Aygo grows by 25mm in length, whilst being 5mm lower than the outgoing model, contributing to the more athletic profile of the newcomer.

X-Citement for all

A standout feature of the new Aygo is the availability of a funky two-tone exterior colour design. Two unique bi-tone models are available, the X-play Black and X-play Silver. As the name suggests, the X-play Black adopts an elegant black roof which can be paired with either a vibrant Cherry Red or crisp Ice White body colour.

The X-play Silver plays on a monochromatic contrast with an Ash Gray body colour, accented by a silver roof to create a classic look. A mono-tone model forms the starting point of the range with the X-play models combining the charismatic two-tone exterior with additional specification – catering to buyers seeking to be more expressive.

A Vibrant Interior

The interior design of the Aygo links with the radical exterior design, creating an uplifting environment for driver and passengers. The interior elements feature multiple geometric shapes and colour variation, to add to the youthful theme. Bucket-shaped front seats with multi-tone inserts provide a comfortable space for front occupants.

The driver is greeted by a large circular speedometer with a centrally mounted multi-information display at its core. This is augmented by an amber hued, bar-style tachometer to the left and an up-shift indicator on the right.

The continuation of the exterior body colour across to the interior door panels, adds a modern touch to the interior. Utility and convenience are not forsaken, with sizable storage compartments capable of accommodating a 500ml bottle built into the door trim. A large glove compartment, front storage area and twin cup holders further enhance convenience.

X-play models add sleek grey metallic colour inserts to the instrument cluster, gear level surround and dashboard inserts.

The new Toyota Aygo. Picture: Supplied

Roaming the Urban Jungle

Under the bonnet lurks a characterful 51 kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with the best thermal properties in its class. Torque output weighs in at 95 Nm delivered at 4300 rpm. The compact power plant utilises a high 11.5:1 static compression ratio and VVT-i, which pairs perfectly with the urban demeanour of the new Aygo. It’s good for a sub-15-second 0-100km/h sprint time and incredible fuel economy – just 4.4 L/100km in the combined cycle.

A smooth shifting 5-speed manual transmission is offered, which transmits the power to the front wheels. The feather light clutch action further contributes to a pleasant drive. On the chassis front, a MacPherson strut design is adopted for the front suspension, with the rear using a Torsion beam layout for optimal packaging. The suspension settings have been optimised to provide improved stability, handling and a smooth ride.

The newcomer gets a myriad of specifications. The inclusion of a touch-screen display audio system is a first for the segment and is certain to resonate with tech savvy customers. The new Aygo also boasts with standard features such as Bluetooth functionality, remote central locking, front power windows, electrically adjustable side mirrors and air conditioning.

For added convenience, a 12-volt power socket and USB and auxiliary inputs for the 4-speaker audio system are also catered for. X-play models receive leather treatment for the shift lever and steering wheel, creating a luxurious touch point between driver and car.

A full safety suite comprising of front and front side airbags, ABS and Brake Assist (BA) is fitted to all models. ISOFIX attachment points add to the already comprehensive list. These features create peace of mind for both first time drivers, as well as those downsizing to a compact city run-around.

A 3-year 100 000 km Warranty is standard with a service plan being optional.The first 1000 customers will receive a complimentary service plan at no additional cost.