Toyota Aygo has been given a
facelift and it’s an even more polarising look this time around. That criss-cross face gets a three-dimensional
update, serving as an architectural feature on which the triangular lower
grille and redesigned headlights sit on. Those lamps – which incorporate new
LED daytime running lights – have fake grilles underneath them, which are said
to accentuate the car’s width. Also emphasising the width are the LED light
guides in the tail lights, which kink outwards as they go down.
Rounding off the new looks are the new Magenta and
Blue body colours, as well as a new design for the wheel caps and the 15-inch
alloy wheels. Inside, there are new seat fabrics on most models, a more premium
Quartz Grey and Piano Black colour scheme and new three-dimensional graphics
and backlighting colour for the instrument cluster multi-info display.
The revised model lineup puts greater focus on the
higher-end models. Above the base x model sits the x-play, which features
air-conditioning and an x-touch infotainment system with a seven-inch
touchscreen, and offers up a number of options. Topping the range, the x-clusiv
throws in a two-tone exterior colour scheme, 15-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels,
part-leather seats, auto air-con, keyless entry and Toyota Safety Sense. Driver assistance features in the Toyota Safety
Sense package include Pre-Collision System (PCS), an autonomous emergency
braking system that works at speeds of between 10 and 80 km/h. Lane Departure
Alert (LDA) is also featured in the mix.
Two special edition models are also available – the
x-cite gains a Magenta two-tone exterior, black 15-inch alloys, Manhattan seat
fabric with Magenta stitching, body-coloured air vent and gearknob inserts and
Piano Black trim. Meanwhile, the x-trend adds a Black exterior with black
headlight grilles, Cyan door mirrors, body stickers, 15-inch 10-spoke alloys,
part-leather upholstery and Cyan interior accents.
Under the bonnet lies the same 1.0 litre VVT-i
three-cylinder petrol engine, but it’s now Euro 6.2-compliant with a new dual
fuel injector system, a higher compression ratio, new low-friction components,
a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and an improved balance shaft
to reduce vibration at idle.
Power is now up four horsepower to 72 hp at 6,000
rpm, while the 93 Nm of maximum torque is now made lower down in the rev range,
at 4,000 rpm. Equipped with either a five-speed manual transmission or a
five-speed automated manual, it will hit 100 km/h in 13.8 seconds before
reaching a top speed of 160 km/h.
The facelifted Aygo is also available in an Eco
version with taller fourth and fifth gears, low rolling resistance tyres,
automatic engine stop/start and a number of aerodynamic tweaks. Even without
these additions, the standard Aygo’s fuel consumption has dropped from 4.1 to
3.9 litres per 100 km on the European NEDC cycle, while carbon dioxide
emissions have dropped by five grams per kilometre to 90 grams per kilometre.
The chassis receives a couple of tweaks as well –
suspension has been retuned and the steering software updated, allowing greater
and more precise reaction to driver inputs for grater agility and driving
enjoyment. Noise vibration has also been reduced significantly, says Toyota,
with added sealing and absorption materials to the dashboard, A-pillars, doors
and rear deck.
