The New Toyota Aygo

Press Release

Urban Dynamism for the New Generation

Key Points

• Aygo name symbolises freedom and mobility
• Built in the Czech Republic - 100,000 units a year
• Available in the UK in three grades: T2, T3 and Sport
• Option packs available to enhance specification
• Superior safety package with four airbags standard on T3 and Sport grades and seatbelt warning system fitted to all models
• Strong but lightweight body makes extensive use of high tensile steel
• New 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine
• Most powerful and highest torque producing 1.0-litre unit on the market, also the world's lightest production car engine
• Class leading fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions
• Optional Multi-mode Manual Transmission (MMT)
• Aygo among the cheapest in its class for running and repair costs
• On sale in the UK from 1 July

Introduction

Aygo is a car which answers all the demands of modern urban living, being highly practical and easy to park while delivering a dynamic driving experience and offering a cool modern design. Measuring 3,405mm long, 1,615mm wide and 1,465mm tall, it is the smallest car Toyota has marketed in Europe.

The name Aygo, pronounced eye-go, expresses freedom and mobility - just what the car will offer to its target market of urban men and women with active lifestyles. In short, Aygo is about easy but dynamic urban mobility.

Aygo marks a new approach for Toyota in several aspects. It has the potential to attract customers younger than the average Toyota driver: Toyota expects 80 to 90 per cent of Aygo owners to be new to the brand.

"We see a very positive mutual relationship between Aygo and the Toyota brand," said Andrea Formica, Toyota Europe Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. "Aygo brings emotional attributes to Toyota's rational values of superior quality, durability and reliability. The 'Aygo by Toyota' logo featured at the Toyota stand (at the Geneva Motor Show) and due to be used at dealerships throughout Europe visualises this powerful combination.

"Furthermore, we have taken a unique approach to the Toyota Aygo's launch process and lifecycle management, different from any used for any other Toyota model before. The Aygo launch campaign will target several major European cities, rather than focusing on countries. Toyota also intends, through several initiatives, to keep the Aygo fashionable throughout its lifespan."

In total, 100,000 Aygo models will be produced each year in the Czech Republic.

A New Design Philosophy

Aygo's styling expresses Vibrant Clarity, a new Toyota design philosophy.

"Japanese culture, or what we like to call the 'J-factor', forms the foundation for Toyota's unique design direction, Vibrant Clarity," said Wahei Hirai, Managing Officer of the Toyota Design Centre.

Aygo disproves the view that small cars are purely about economy by focusing on the fun and enjoyment compact vehicles can deliver. The body has a low line that emphasises the wheel flares; shortened overhangs and a cab-forward design help achieve a roomy interior within an overall compact exterior.

The front end design displays the new face of Toyota, with a strong three-dimensional form that flows from the Toyota badge.

The interior is in the same spirit as the exterior with a compact instrument panel with a two-tone finish. The car's character is further expressed in the cylinder-shaped heated control unit and the simple, modern graphics used on the meters.

The door trim carries over the exterior body colour to give the cabin a sporty feel that's also shown in the design of the steering wheel and gear lever. The adjustable steering column and principle meters form a single unit, which means the dials remain in clear view.

Toyota has used a new graining finish on the dashboard that is not only more attractive but which also sets new standards for scratch resistance, ease of cleaning and resistance to ageing.

The modern, clean design of the seats creates a figure-hugging effect, and the upholstery is both highly durable and of excellent quality.

Interior and Practicality

Aygo's interior was developed to accommodate passengers of all sizes, including very tall people. Achieving a large amount of usable interior space has been helped by the car having particularly short front and rear overhangs. Passenger comfort is heightened thanks to one of the most generous measurements between front and rear hip points of any A segment car.

The cabin features plenty of handy storage spaces, including four door pockets, eight trays, three cup holders, a coin case and large vanity mirrors.

There's an Aygo for Everyone

In the UK the Aygo will be offered in three grades: T2, T3 and Sport. All come with a generous range of equipment as standard and can be enhanced with a wide choice of options.

T2 versions of the car are equipped with ABS and EBD, colour keyed bumpers, driver and front passenger airbags, power steering, a heated rear window with wiper and two-speaker audio system with radio and CD player.

The T3 model introduces colour keyed door mirrors and handles, electric front windows, a 50:50 split-folding rear seat, remote central locking, rear headrests, ISOFIX child seat anchor points and an upgraded sound system with two rear speakers and front tweeter speakers.

The Sport adds more street style to the package with five-spoke alloy wheels, front fog lamps and a tachometer. Air conditioning and metallic paint are optional on T3 and Sport grades.

Two enhancement packs have been developed to help create the ideal Aygo.

• Travel pack: includes a glovebox bag with CD pocket, trolley bag on wheels and a rucksack, all developed in partnership with the renowned Samsonite brand.
• Navigation pack: this features the Tom Tom Aygo, a clever and portable navigation system that's easy to use with touch-screen operation. This option also provides a three-year package for warranty and map updates, body-coloured screen frames and integration of the dashboard and radio unit.

Aygo is offered at launch in July in three colours: Ice Blue, Carbon Quartz and Chilli Red.

Superior Quality in Safety

Aygo is aiming to achieve the highest score in the A segment in official testing for impact protection. It features Toyota's Minimal Intrusion Cabin System (MICS), a safety structure that reduces the risk of serious injury in an impact. This system also features in the Avensis and Corolla Verso models, both of which achieved the top five-star rating in Euro NCAP tests.

Aygo features comprehensive passive safety provisions with driver and front passenger airbags fitted as standard, with additional side airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors standard on T3 and Sport models. Aygo is also equipped as standard with a seatbelt warning system with buzzer, a rare feature in A segment cars.

Aygo is also aiming for the best pedestrian impact protection in class, too. Design features to help achieve this include an energy absorbing structure in the front bumper, which deforms to channel impact forces and reduce leg injuries to a minimum.

Braking performance benefits from latest generation ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, fitted as standard to all Aygo models. The car's headlights also provide one of the best illumination ranges in the segment.