Aygo 2015. All-New City Car From Toyota – Go Fun Yourself

The 1st generation Aygo launched in 2005, as a joint venture between Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen. But it was not until 2011, that we in South Africa, got to drive this wildly popular supermini. Who can forget Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson and co put the Aygo through its paces in a world-first, Car Football! The Aygo had by then established itself as a young, fun-loving, go-anywhere vehicle.

Fast forward 2014, and at this years Geneva Motor Show  an all-new spunky, grown up Aygo was revealed. Though it shares the development framework with the next-gen Peugeot 108 and Citroen C1, the similarities stop there. The Aygo designers threw the conventional rulebook right out the window. First to catch your eye, is the large X scrawled across the front grille. This is just the beginning of a host of fully customizable accessories to the Aygo, from the roof trimming, to wheel inserts, to the interior dash trimmings. The designers of the Aygo recognized that even with a small compact car like the Aygo, owners still took pride in their possessions, and would certainly love to style it according to personal taste. These customizable bits of the car, come in different colours and are interchangeable, so the next time you decide to don a red striped shirt or blouse, your car can too! You can change the colour of certain elements like the X-shaped front grille, rear bumper insert, front fender garnish and rims, while the interior benefits as well, with the instrument panel, center console, air vents, shifter knob and lever surround.

The different faces of the Aygo

The different faces of the Aygo

White Aygo With Silver Trimmings

Development

‘When it came to developing the new Aygo, we had a strong foundation from which to work… But we wanted to do more,” said Toyota Motor Europe senior vice president sales and marketing Daniele Schillaci. “For inspiration we turned to Japanese youth culture, we wanted a car that meant owners could customise each and every part to their own personal taste… Welcome to the changing face of Toyota. We want to put smiles on the faces of owners. We want to enable them to have fun.”

Though we are still to receive local South African specs, the European edition is said to come standard with Audio/Multimedia system with USB, LED running lights, Vehicle Stability Control and Hill Start assist. As options, will be curtain airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, all-new Toyota X-Touch infotainment system.

Powering the new Aygo will be an improved 1 litre VVT-i petrol engine that’s good for 51 Kw and 96 Nm of torque. (Strap on a turbo, and we’ll be in business!) Toyota also promises class-leading fuel efficiency and Co2 emissions through various new engine upgrades like a high tumble intake port that ensures optimal air/fuel mixture in the cylinder. The engine also received a lighter cylinder head and a re-tuned Variable Valve Timing program so that it achieves its 51 kw at 6,000 rpm and 95 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. Worth noting is that 86 Nm is available from as little as 2,000 rpm – in layman terms it means the throttle will feel a lot more responsive when accelerating.

But wait, there’s more… (Teehee)

The gearbox also receives the X factor. Besides the regular 5-speed manual transmission, there is an automated X-shift transmission on offer. The x-shift gearbox is an automated manual transmission, meaning that there is no clutch pedal and all the shifting is done by a computer and some actuators mounted on the transmission’s case and clutch itself.

We are still some way off receiving pricing and local flavours, but rumour has it that it also comes with an optional electrically operated canvas top. (Oooh yeah!) All this adds up to make the new Aygo one of the most anticipated cars coming to South Africa in 2015.

Inside the Crazy Aygo

X-Touch Infotainment System

Matching Interior

Want to take the new Aygo for a quick test-drive? Click the video below.

Guys, please note – These are NOT official Toyota South Africa specifications, or colours. We will keep you updated as soon as this information is released.

Credits:
Stats from AutoEvolution.com
Photos from Toyota Global Website