AT LAST, TOYOTA AYGO COMES

The Toyota Aygo is already 6 years old. Yet in Mzansi it’s about to go on sale as a brand new model! In 2005 Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen began manufacturing a joint project which Toyota called Aygo, Peugeot named 107 and Citroen badged it C1. Seeing a turn towards ultra-compact cars, the French introduced it to the local market. Toyota did not. Now, today, in 2011, Toyota has decided that yes, small cars are the future.

Regarding the positioning of the 5-door Aygo, Toyota says it will be its entry-level model, thus elevating the Yaris into the B-segment and away from being called a cheapie. The Yaris Zen was unfortunately a gap-plugger which will now have its funky stickers quietly removed to return it to being a regular, VW Polo-chasing Yaris. Toyota is extremely focussed on dethroning the reigning VW Polo Vivo/ New Polo combo by reclaiming its top spot as the best-selling passenger car brand. And the Aygo is the chosen weapon.

With only one engine and two models, the spread is not exactly buffet. Yet we know from experience that the Yaris has done the job with similar ammo. The 1.0-litre (998 cc), 3-cylinder petrol makes a heady 50kW at 6000rpm, with peak torque at 93Nm at 3600rpm. Average fuel consumption of 4.6 litres per 100km from the 35 litre fuel tank is what its maker says it will achieve, with aligned C02 figures of 109g/km. Basically a full tank will cost you around R350 at today’s prices.

Near the sea the 830kg (no passengers, no fuel) car is claimed to do 0 – 100km/h in 14.2 seconds, bursting its lungs out at 157km/h. Figures are of course, cold and clinical, so 14.2 seconds doesn’t exactly pop the old Kool Aid into a fizzy frenzy. Yet when driving the thing one feels a certain youthful sensation, yanked along by the sound of that single exhaust tailpipe. C1 and 107 sound exactly the same of course. McPherson struts feature on the front end of the suspension system, while the rear is a torsion beam affair. The long-stick 5-speed manual is a little clunky but still effective.

In addition to that valuable mother badge, where Aygo hopes to steal the show is in the value stakes. To end several big-car features are fitted standard, including power steering, air conditioning, a clean air filter, a rear window demister, tilt steering wheel, ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist, driver and passenger air bags, rear fog lights, an alarm system, a full-sized spare wheel below the luggage area floor, and a 60 000km/ 4 year service plan.

It’s a tiny little thing the Aygo, evidenced by my trouble fitting in two medium-sized travel bags plus a laptop bag into the boot. At only 3.4 metres long, 1.466m high and 1.6m high, the car is no people-carrier by any means. But it’s comfortable enough for everyday trips and quick dashes to campus or the mall.

Aygo is pronounced “i-go”, doubling up as a metaphor “symbolising freedom and mobility”. This currently model only has about two years of life left but could prove to be the lasting impression as far as sales go. In its world the Aygo is facing full frontal combat spearheaded by the larger, VW Polo Vivo, Chevrolet’s high-flying Spark, twins Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107, Ford Figo and Hyundai i10 (due for a facelift soon). It’s a hectic segment, cut-throat and all. Somehow though, I see Toyota becoming a leading figure in this play, especially when the cheaper 3-door makes its way in later in the year.

Toyota Aygo Pricing

Aygo Fresh (R109 900)

Aygo Wild (R120 100)