THE NEW AYGO: TOYOTA STEPS UP THE FUN FACTOR FOR ITS ALL-NEW CITY CAR
The new Aygo, revealed today at the Geneva motor show, is another example of Toyota’s commitment to build ever-better cars that catch the eye and are genuinely fun to drive. A distinctive and characterful design – dubbed J-Playful in reference to Japan’s hip youth culture – and a wealth of customisation options show how Toyota has made fun a key element in crafting its new city car.
At the same time new Aygo builds on the qualities that made the original such a success throughout its lifetime, keeping the car compact, nimble and reliable, with genuinely low running costs. The latter are supported by revision to its award-winning three-cylinder 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine to secure class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
Exterior design
Compact packaging was fundamental to the design new Aygo to maintain its town-friendly handling. The overall length has increased by just 25mm to 3,455mm, which means it keeps the class-leading compactness of the previous model, and although front headroom has been increased by 7mm, vehicle height has actually been reduced by 5mm to 1,460mm, supporting the car’s aerodynamic efficiency. Both front and rear tracks have been widened by 8mm.
New Aygo may be compact and characterful in appearance, but it’s robust and has real street presence too. Its solidity comes from a strong form which gives the design its core volume. But, to introduce a playful element, the designers used the concept of a soft object breaking through the hard shell of the design, creating break lines and giving Aygo its distinctive frontal X-graphic. This spreads outwards across the surface of the bodywork, and takes in all the vehicle’s main external features, including upper and lower grilles, headlamps, foglamps, and even mirrors and side glazing.
In profile, the roof has been lowered and the front header moved forwards. As a result, the cabin’s centre of gravity also shifts to the front, creating a more balanced and forward leaning posture. This is further emphasised by a sloping beltline which terminates in the forward leaning rear light clusters. The roof itself has a new pagoda-style profile and an integral rear spoiler. The shape of the side-glazing differs between the three and five-door models, the latter extending its window graphic into the rear light clusters, giving an impression of extra length..
The rear end displays a similar design theme to the front, with the tailgate and lower bumper forming break lines in the vehicle’s solid surface. The lamp clusters are set within the hexagonal tailgate, and the upper bumper section widens into pronounced wheel arches which give the car a broad and stable stance.
Interior design
The shape of the centre console – trapezoidal – sets the theme for new Aygo’s interior and is reflected in details such as the air vents, door trims and gear shift surround. The console supports a wide dashboard with a matt, anti-glare finish, set between slim A-pillars. The new instrumentation features a meter made of up concentric rings which are permanently lit. It incorporates an easy-to-read central multi-information display.
Although the wheelbase is unchanged at 2,340mm, the cabin is longer by 9mm, Wider armrests also improve comfort. There’s more room for luggage as well – an extra 29 litres – and loading is easier thanks to the space between the sill and rear seatback being made 5mm wider.
Customisation
One of new Aygo’s defining qualities is a wealth of affordable customisation options that will allow customers to create a car that’s truly individual. On the outside the X-shaped front grille, rear bumper insert, enhanced front bumper and alloy wheels can all be specified to suit, while in the cabin the instrument panel, centre console, air vents, shift knob and gear lever surround can easily be changed, even after years of ownership.
To make life simple, customers can also choose from a range of exterior and interior styling packs if they prefer, rather than selecting piece-by-piece customisation.
Multimedia x-touch system
New Aygo will be available with Toyota’s new x-touch multimedia system, operated using a fully integrated seven-inch touchscreen. It’s the first system in its segment to come with a rear view camera as standard.
It uses a five-function main menu, giving easy control of audio, phone (including sending and receipt of texts), connectivity, vehicle and journey information functions. Customers will also be able to access a wide choice of navigation and social media applications.
Powertrain
New Aygo features a comprehensively revised version of Toyota’s award-winning three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. The unit has been re-engineered to run with a higher, 11.5:1 compression ratio, and has an improved combustion chamber design for better efficiency. Friction losses have also been reduced, notably by using a new low-friction timing chain. And although it’s still one of the lightest engines on the market, more weight has been saved by introducing a cylinder head with a built-in exhaust manifold.
There’s more power and torque: 68bhp (51kW) at 6,000rpm and 95Nm at 4,300rpm; 85Nm of torque is available from as low as 2,000rpm.
In making all these improvements, Toyota has been careful not to sacrifice the engine’s famous sprightly character. It will still rev happily to high speeds and although sound insulation has been improved, its sporty note is still there when pushed hard.
Extensive work has been done to improve aerodynamics, resulting in an improved drag coefficient – down from Cd 0.30 to 0.29.
Together these changes reduce combined cycle fuel consumption from 64.2 to 68.8mpg* and bring CO2emissions down to 95g/km*, below the 100g/km threshold for annual road tax (VED) exemption.
New Aygo will be offered with a five-speed manual transmission or optional new x-shift, a much-improved automated manual transmission that can be used in fully automatic mode, or with manual gear selection using paddle shifts or the shift lever itself.
When equipped with x-shift, new Aygo returns 67.3mpg* combined cycle fuel consumption and 97g/km* CO2emissions.
* Figures provisional prior to final homologation.
TECHNICAL Specifications
| ENGINE | New AYGO | New AYGO (with x-shift) |
|
| Type | 1.0 VVT-i | 1.0 VVT-i | |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol | |
| Valve mechanism | 4-valve DOHC | 4-valve DOHC | |
| Displacement (cc) | 998 | 998 | |
| Bore x Stroke (mm) | 71 x 84 | 71 x 84 | |
| Compression ratio | 11.5:1 | 11.5:1 | |
| Max. power (bhp) kW @ rpm | (68) 51 @ 6,000 | (68) 51 @ 6,000 | |
| Max. torque (Nm/rpm) | 95 @ 4,300 | 95 @ 4,300 | |
| BRAKES | |||
| Front discs (mm) | 247 x 20 | 247 x 20 | |
| Rear drums (mm) | 200 | 200 | |
| SUSPENSION | |||
| Front | MacPherson strut | MacPherson strut | |
| Rear | Torsion beam | Torsion beam | |
| TRANSMISSION | |||
| Type | M/T | MMT (x-shift) | |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Max. speed (mph) | 99 | 99 | |
| 0-62 mph (sec) | 14.2 | 15.5 | |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION (subject to final homologation) | |||
| Combined (mpg) | 68.9 | 67.3 | |
| Fuel tank capacity (l) | 35 | 35 | |
| CO2 EMISSIONS (subject to final homologation) | |||
| Combined (g/km) | 95 | 97 | |
| VEHICLE WEIGHT | |||
| Curb weight (kg) | 840 – 890 | 855 – 910 | |
| Gross vehicle weight (kg) | 1,240 | 1,240 | |
| EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS | |||
| Length (mm) | 3,455 | 3,455 | |
| Width (mm) | 1,615 | 1,615 | |
| Height (mm) | 1,460 | 1,460 | |
| Front overhang (mm) | 675 | 675 | |
| Rear overhang (mm) | 440 | 440 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,340 | 2,340 | |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.29 | 0.29 | |
| Wheel Size (in) | 14 or 15 | 14 or 15 | |
| Tyre size | 165/65R14 or 165/60R15 | 165/65R14 or 165/60R15 | |
| INTERIOR DIMENSIONS | |||
| Interior length* | 1,630* | 1,630* | |
| Interior width* | 1,250 (3-door) 1,300 (5-door) |
1,250 (3-door) 1,300 (5-door) |
|
| Interior height | 1,205 (normal) 1,155 (canvas top) |
1,205 (normal) 1,155 (canvas top) |
|
| Couple distance | 806 | 806 | |
| Luggage space (l) | 168 | 168 | |
CREATING THE ALL-NEW TOYOTA AYGO
The all-new Toyota Aygo was the big hit among the small cars unveiled at the Geneva motor show. With its radical new X-themed design, vast range of customisation opportunities, clever packaging and ground-breaking use of advanced on-board multimedia systems, it demonstrated how Toyota has gone beyond the qualities that made the original model such a long-lasting success to transform its presence in the city car/A-segment.
The team that delivered new Aygo had clear ambitions about what they wanted to achieve in the new car, one which stands a pathfinder for a new design direction that’s all part of Toyota’s missions to create ”ever better cars” that are fun to own and great to drive. Who better to hear from to understand new Aygo than the people who created it.
Product concept
Chief Engineer David Terai says new Aygo had to be much more than a practical run-about: “My main driver was to create a car that people would fall in love with.
“Traditionally the appeal of cars in the A-segment has come from their practicality and compactness, and their price tag. But all too often they lack desirability, the elements that make you truly want a car. Design is treated as secondary and there aren’t many equipment options to choose from.”
In taking this approach, Terai acknowledges that you won’t be able to please everyone.
“If you aim for an emotional link between customer and design, you have to accept that tastes differ. And in a crowded marketplace, it’s better to have a design that half the people absolutely love, rather than one that nobody objects to. That’s how new Aygo stands out,” he explains.
Design
“Pride of ownership is generated first and foremost by design,” says Nobuo Nakamura, new Aygo’s Chief Designer.
“Every time you look at your new car parked out front, you want to be reassured about the choice you’ve made. That’s why we didn’t accept any compromise when it came to styling.”
There’s no escaping the impact of new Aygo’s appearance, a look that’s been influenced by the bold shapes and forms of hip Japanese youth culture – tagged “J-Playful” by Toyota. But for all its compact size and appealing look, it’s no less robust – a balance that presented a big challenge to the design team.
“Designing a compact car like this isn’t easy. You want it to be loveable, but at the same time it needs to have proper street credibility. So it should look solid and strong, and have real road presence,” says Nakamura-san, adding that this called for some “tough choices”.
“For example, for the headlights to be narrow enough to sit within the X-graphic, they had to incorporate projector technology. This is exceptional in the A-segment, which tends to favour the cheaper, but larger reflector type. This is a good example of how we rejected compromise to end up with a better car.”
Where the interior’s concerned, there was a major focus on ergonomics, as David Terai explains: “We were mindful of the younger type of customer we see in the segment, so we improved the driving position by reducing the steering angle and lowering the front seat hip pint. We also equipped the driver’s seat with height adjustment, so finding your preferred position at the wheel should be easy.”
Customisation
Such is the wealth of customisation options for new Aygo, you’re unlikely to see two cars that are exactly same. Providing this degree of choice was another key element in defining new Aygo.
David Terai explains: “This was particularly important to me, firstly because customers have become used to a wide choice of colour and execution in many different things they buy and it’s time for the auto industry to catch up.
“Secondly, the ability to create very much your own Aygo is key to achieving the quality of desirability that I wanted for the car. Knowing that your car is somehow unique will make it all the more special to you.”
Powertrains
New Aygo retains a three-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine that in its past form has earned a string of international awards for its efficient performance. Now that unit, renowned also for its appealing character and distinctive rhythm, has been further developed to achieve even better fuel economy and (UK road tax/VED exempt) sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, but without resorting to technology that pushes up the price tag.
“We wanted to improve performance as well as economy – in the A-segment running costs are paramount, customers don’t want to spend a fortune on fuel bills,” says Terai-san.
“But at the same time, we didn’t want to resort to costly technology to reduce consumption, as this would have driven the vehicle price up too much. So our challenge was to come up with relatively simple yet clever ways to achieve our targets.”
Cue a long list of improvements to the 998cc engine, ranging from an increase in compression ratio, to a improvements in combustion chamber design and comprehensive measures to reduce friction and weight.
NEW AYGO TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF LATEST TOYOTA ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Toyota’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine has picked up a clutch of international awards since its debut in the original Aygo in 2005, commended for both its impressive economy and its distinctive driving character. Even greater rewards are now in the offing, as the unit becomes one of a new series of Toyota engines that achieve even higher fuel efficiency thanks to improved thermal and combustion management.
Set to appear in the new Aygo this summer, the engine achieves a maximum thermal efficiency of 37 per cent – a quality that, in combination with other fuel reduction measures, can deliver an improvement of almost 30 per cent in fuel consumption compared to current vehicles (under the official Japanese test cycle).
The version of the engine to be used in Aygo runs at a higher, 11.5:1 compression ratio than before, with the higher temperatures this creates countered by the adoption of a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system and adjustment of the engine’s valve timing.
More efficient combustion is achieved with help from a new-shape intake port and piston profile that create a strong tumble flow, with the air-fuel mixture moving in a more even, vertical swirl inside the cylinder.
The engine’s redesign has also made it even lighter, with features such as an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head. Significant reductions have also been made in the amount of energy lost through friction in the engine.
These measures contribute to an estimated (pre-homologation) combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 68.8mpg, with CO2 emissions of 95g/km.
The first wave of Toyota’s engines to feature these improvements also include a 1.3-litre petrol unit which uses the Atkinson cycle, a system previously adopted by Toyota for its latest-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrains. Worldwide, Toyota plans to introduce 14 new engine variations based on these units by 2015.
Start of production of second-generation model
UK
Grades and equipment
New Aygo will be launched in the UK in three and five-door bodystyles and three grades, x, x-play and x-pression, plus two special editions, x-cite and x-clusiv, offering customers exceptional choice.
The colours ramp up new Aygo’s fun factor, with five options: White Flash, Silver Splash, Electro Grey, Deep Blue Buzz and Red Pop. In addition, the x-cite will be offered only in Orange Twist and the x-clusiv in Bold Black.
Equipment highlights
Key equipment features of the core new Aygo model range: –
| Aygo x | Aygo x-play adds | Aygo x-pression adds | |
| 14-inch wheels | 15-inch wheels | 15-inch silver alloy wheels | |
| Projector headlights with LED tracer light | Piano black front X finish | Piano black rear bumper insert | |
| LED daytime running lights | Body colour matched doorhandles and mirrors | Piano black x-tension on A-pillars | |
| 2-speaker audio with Aux and USB connections | Leather steering wheel and gear shift trim | Front fog lights | |
| Power front windows | 4-speaker audio | Part-leather sports-style seats | |
| Wireless door locks | Bluetooth | Chrome internal door handle finish | |
| Isofix child seat anchors | Audio and phone control switches on steering wheel | Body colour-matched instrument panel | |
| ABS and Vehicle Stability ControlHill-start Assist Control | Air conditioning with clean air filter | Glossy black centre console and gear shift and air vent surrounds | |
| Driver, front passenger and curtain airbags | Tachometer | x-touch multimedia system with MirrorLink | |
| Seat belt warning system | Driver’s seat height adjustment | DAB | |
| Tyre pressure monitor | 50:50 split-folding rear seats | Rear-view camera |
The two special edition models feature a number of specific styling and equipment elements: –
| Aygo x-cite | Aygo x-clusiv |
| Orange Twist exterior paint finish | Bold Black exterior paint finish |
| 15-inch gloss black alloys with orange centre cap | 15-inch machined finish alloys with large black centre cap and chrome surround |
| Gloss black doorhandles and mirrors | Super chrome front X and A-pillar x-tension |
| Piano black rear bumper insert | Super chrome rear bumper insert |
| Piano black A-pillar x-tension | Front fog lights |
| Front fog lights | Chrome internal doorhandle finish |
| Chrome internal doorhandle finish | Piano black instrument panel and centre console |
| Gloss black instrument panel and centre console with Orange Twist air vent surrounds |
x-touch multimedia system with MirrorLink |
| x-touch multimedia system with MirrorLink | DAB |
| DAB | Rear-view camera |
| Rear-view camera | Dusk-sensing headlights |
Equipment options
Customers can take advantage of a range of options that focus on more sophisticated equipment and luxury touches.
The x-cite and x-clusiv models can be upgraded with the x-tra premium pack, which adds leather seat upholstery and Smart Entry and Start. For x-play and x-pression grades, the INstyle option provides leather seats with accents in a range of four different colours.
The x-pression can be specified in x-tra convenience, which adds automatic air conditioning, dusk-sensing headlights and Smart Entry and push-button start.
The OUTshine pack adds extra chrome touches to the exterior of the x-pression model, and all versions bar the entry level x can be fitted with the OUTshield pack, which adds front and rear parking sensors, a boot liner, aluminium scuff plates, rubber floor mats and mud flaps.
x-touch
Taking affordable multimedia systems to the next level, Toyota x-touch gives new Aygo customers a user-friendly combination of the latest on-board multimedia technology and smartphone connectivity.
x-touch uses a seven-inch full colour touchscreen that is fully integrated in the instrument panel. It is the first system in the segment to provide a rear-view camera as standard.
The main menu has a simple five-icon arrangement, allowing at-a-glance identification of all functions.
The Audio Source menu groups AM/FM/DAB radio, Bluetooth music streaming and audio via Aux and USB connection, with the facility to display album cover art.
A new MirrorLink function can be activated through the Connect menu. Once a compatible smartphone is connected, MirrorLink will replicate the phone’s screen and compatible applications on the x-touch display. Smartphone functions can ben be accessed using the touchscreen.
An optional x-nav pack (£395), unique to new Aygo, can be linked to the multimedia system, using a dedicated storage pocket in the glovebox. This is activated using the Connect menu and gives driver access to fast and accurate pan-European route guidance.
Customisation packs
Customisation packs are key to Aygo’s character and individuality. The OUTstand pack (£395) lets owners transform the exterior with three elements – the front X, A-pillar x-tension and rear bumper insert, in a choice of three colours.
Yet more can be added with the OUTburst pack (£245), which comprises a front bumper decal, side sills and rear diffuser decal, available in red or chrome.
The cabin can be transformed with the INspire pack (£165) with surrounds for the air vents and gear shift to match any exterior colour; other interior components have a piano black finish.
The mood heightens further with INtense (£165), which introduces body colour-matched instrument panel, centre console and gear surround.
Owners can also have the double-bubble roof of their Aygo covered in a contrasting coloured decal (£195), and can ramp up the street style with option five-spoke alloys (£499) in silver, glossy black, machined glossy black and white. A twin-spoke alloy (£499) can also be specified in the same finishes, plus a customised centre cap in any of six body colours.
UK range and prices
New Aygo’s official on-sale date in the UK is 1 July. The range will comprise 14 versions, detailed below with on-the-road prices.
| GRADE | DOORS | TRANSMISSION | OTR PRICE |
| x | 3dr | 5MT | £8,595 |
| x | 5dr | 5MT | £8,995 |
| x-play | 3dr | 5MT | £9,795 |
| x-play | 5dr | 5MT | £10,195 |
| x-play | 5dr | x-shift | £10,895 |
| x-pression | 3dr | 5MT | £10,995 |
| x-pression | 5dr | 5MT | £11,395 |
| x-pression | 5dr | x-shift | £12,095 |
| x-cite | 3dr | 5MT | £11,195 |
| x-cite | 5dr | 5MT | £11,595 |
| x-cite | 5dr | x-shift | £12,295 |
| x-clusiv | 3dr | 5MT | £11,295 |
| x-clusiv | 5dr | 5MT | £11,695 |
| x-clusiv | 3dr | x-shift | £12,395 |