TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA REFRESHES STRUGGLING AYGO

The Toyota Aygo has regrouped and been refreshed to keep it relevant and possible gather more sales than it has previously. As Toyota’s entry-level model, Aygo should really be setting sales records, but has so far failed to capture the country’s imagination. With the changes comes hope.

Aygo has a new front end featuring a large trapezoidal air intake, a new bonnet design, a wider front bumper and a completely new front grille. Toyota says the look reflects its new design language, as personalised by the Yaris. As a result of the new styling, Aygo has grown its overall length by 15mm.

Toyota refers to three new trim levels, namely the Fresh, Wild and Inferno, each with its own unique features that make it stand out. Inferno (5-door only, pictured above) is built on a burnt orange metallic colour, Alcantara seats, front fog lamps and a leather-covered steering wheel. It is the highest-specced model in the range.

Fresh and Wild come in either 3-door or 5-door and are equipeed with things like power steering, air conditioning, immobiliser, ABS and the like, while the Wild adds 14-inch alloys and remote central locking.

Disappointingly Aygo keeps its 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, despite new turbo technologies now widely available in all segments. Nevertheless, it does produce an adequate 50kW and 93Nm of torque. Drive is still through the front wheels, via a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Aygo Pricing

Aygo 3-door Fresh (R111 900)

Aygo 5-door Fresh (R118 100)

Aygo 3-door Wild (R121 200)

Aygo 5-door Wild (R127 400)

Aygo 5-door Inferno (R135 100)