The new Aygo is so x-citing

“X” MARKS the feature on the new Toyota Aygo which will make the latest generation of the popular city car a hit for the Japanese company that has produced the vehicle like the one before it in conjunction with Peugeot and Citroen who each have their own versions writes Bryan Longworth.

For the new car which is built in the Czech Republic offers customers a huge choice of personalisation to make it very distinctive especially with the X-shape front end element that defines the hip new look and which can be acquired in a variety of colours - the one on the black test car was white - along with packs for personalising other parts of the car.

The “X” theme is extended to the three different grades for Aygo which is why my test car was the Aygo x-clusiv five door costing £11,695 on the road - this was next to the top model with prices starting at £8,595 for the x grade three door.

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The personalisation packs are fitted by Toyota in the UK to customer order at a new hub set up at the Toyota factory near Derby which ensures customers will not have to wait long for the personalisation process - the X frontal pack costs £395.

There is a well styled body but it is that X-factor up front that makes the new Aygo so distinctive and even a representative of another car manufacturer who produce an Aygo competitor expressed considerable admiration for the tiny Toyota which has loads of street cred.

New Aygo is powered by an improved version of the 1.0-litre three cylinder in-line petrol engine that is lighter and more efficient and its statistics are a top speed of 99mph, a zero to 62mph time of 14.2 seconds, a combined fuel consumption of 68.9mpg and CO2 emissions 95g/km which means no road tax.

What is it like to drive? It is similar to the last Aygo with that very distinctive sound from the three pot engine and the five speed manual gearbox provided smooth changes but the car is now more refined and quieter with precise steering plus a very roomy and comfortable interior.

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I would go for the five door because of the ease of access to the roomy rear seat both for passengers and for placing shopping and other articles in the rear of the car but I am sure that many younger owners may prefer the three door model.

There is a nice feel about the interior and the well equipped test car had an impressive touch screen radio with the best reversing camera I have seen that was even better than those in cars costing over ?50,000 more than the Aygo plus LED daytime running lights and smart alloys that provided a distinctive look to the exterior of the car.

The new Aygo is roomier than the previous model and the boot is also larger which is an added attraction because it is quite deep and under the floor there is room for small valuables next to the puncture repair kit in the spare wheel well because there is no spare in there.

Switchgear on the fascia is very user friendly and the speedometer is well designed although I would have preferred the illumination of the speedo to have been a bit brighter to make it easier to see when driving in bright sunlight but I would have really appreciated a digital version because they are much easier to see.

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The new Aygo is more distinctive than the previous model and the Toyota stylists have shown considerable imagination with their personalisation packs because they provide the car with plenty of showroom appeal especially to younger owners which Toyota is hoping to attract.

Fact File

Model: New Toyota Aygo x-clusive five door.

Engine: 1.0-litre three cylinder in-line.

Output: 69bhp @ 6000rpm.

Transmission: Five door manual.

Top speed: 99mph.

Acceleration: 0 to 62mph 14.2 seconds.

Fuel consumption: 68.9mpg combined.

CO2 emissions: 95g/km.

Price: £11,695 on the road.