The baby 1 litre Toyota is a triplet built in Europe on a Toyota production line in partnership with French giant PSA who make Peugeot and Citroen cars. Apart from different badging and slightly different noses 'Aygo', Citroen's 'C1' and Peugeot's '107' are identical. All the 'underbits' and 'bits' come to think of it are common to all. The only noticeable difference is that Toyota gives a three warranty with Aygo where the French only give two!
The exterior is fresh with the now familiar 'wheels pushed out to every corner' look. This not only frees up more interior space but allows the car to'have a big footprint on the road, which also helps handling.
On the go the three cylinder petrol engine is nippy around town. 68bhp can get off the lights fairly sharpish in a car that weighs as much as a bag of spuds. It sips fuel too, using just 4.6 litres/100km on average, that's over 60 to the gallon in old money!
The only annoying thing is the excessive road noise on dual carriageways and motorways. In NCAP crash tests the pint-sized Toyota scored four out of five, which is very good for its class. Specification levels start with Terra then Aura rising to Strata. A five-speed gearbox is standard with an MMT (automated manual) option on the Strata three-door and range topping five-door (€14,345).
The efficiency of design is commendable. The tailgate for example isn't conventional. Most hatchbacks feature a metal (or man made) glazed hinged door, not Aygo. The tailgate button opens just the glass area. Okay this means there is a high sill to lift shopping over but it also means the car's structure is very strong and rigid particularly at the rear. Other clever design savings include the rear windows that don’t roll down but open like vents.
Large MPV owners will be familiar with these as will anyone who traveled in the back of a Ford Anglia. My driver's door only has one window switch, also the door mirrors are manual thereby cutting down on cost.
The interior is fresh and youthful, which is exactly the target audience Toyota is seeking. This is a new size of car for the Japanese manufacturer and an interesting time as the new Yaris is about to be launched so Toyota has a bit of marketing to do whereas the French two have a client base already from Saxo and 106.
If I was in a different mood you could say it's penny pinching gone mad but what Aygo and C1/107 offer is frugal motoring that doesn't cost the earth to get in to. €11,550 gets you a Toyota and that is not bad.
So why the partnership with the French? Toyota wants a bigger piece of the action in Europe. Here we have a much greater appreciation for the Japanese giant and Toyota clearly wants Europeans to see how good a Toyota can be. Aygo is an automotive 'foot in the door' to Europe for Toyota.
Irish buyers can rest easy knowing that no matter which car they buy, Aygo, Citroen C1 or Peugeot 107 they’ll be getting a Toyota.
Michael Sheridan
