Steve Ghosley checks out Toyota’s latest Aygo Blue Special Edition
If you’re trying to sell a car that you perceive to be cool, then the obvious colour to choose would be blue. That’s precisely what Toyota have done with their latest version of the Aygo. The Aygo Blue sits alongside the Platinum model at the top of a revised line up and features a new dedicated Slate Blue metallic paint finish.
The unique metallic colour might be something of a giveaway but there’s more to this particular Aygo than just a pretty coat of paint. Based, like all Aygos, on 1.0-litre petrol power, the Blue adheres to the tried and tested special edition formula of bundling in a bunch of extra equipment for a nominal mark up in price.
Buyers can expect to find features like the provision of Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free use of mobile phones. And blue means cool, too, with air conditioning also provided as standard, the system including an integrated pollen filter and air recirculation function. A leather gear knob and a glovebox with lid complete the array of special features, but owners can go much further by choosing from a series of bespoke Aygo option packs.
‘Aygo Xtra Protected’ equips the car for life in the urban jungle with rear parking sensors, mud flaps and unpainted rear and side protection strips, while ‘Aygo Style’ adds élan with alloy wheels, front fog lamps and front scuff plates. Both three and five-door body styles are available and ‘Blue’ prices start from £8,045. That compares to standard Aygo models which cost from around £7,000.
Naturally, in terms of performance, you need to remember that the Aygo Blue is a citycar first and foremost, something reflected in a sprint to 60mph that takes 14 seconds. The good news is the fact that the 1.0-litre petrol engine is predictably excellent in terms of fuel economy and emissions. The combined economy figure is 61.4mpg and emissions are pegged at a laudable 109g/km.
"The Aygo Blue should appeal to those looking to stand out from the crowd without being too garish…."
These figures are helped by the fact that the 1.0-litre is billed as the world’s lightest production engine. Effort is further removed by the fitment of electrically assisted power steering, making light work of turning the Aygo about face in just 9.46 metres.
The front and rear overhangs have been kept short so as to maximise interior space and make parking simple. The tale of the tape shows a 3.4 metre overall length, which is almost 23cm shorter than a modern MINI. The interior features a two-tone dashboard with a textured effect, while the door trims feature body coloured detailing.
One of the more eye-catching features is the design of the ventilation controls on the centre console. Two large wheels bookend the console with a translucent panel sitting between them. Coupled with the funky, minimalist instrument panel, they give the Aygo’s fascia a very modern appearance.
The steering column is adjustable for both reach and rake, the speedometer binnacle moving with the wheel. Coupled with plenty of driver’s seat travel and ample headroom, there shouldn’t be a problem getting comfortable behind the wheel of the Aygo. Sitting behind a tall driver is another issue altogether and rear space is a little pinched with the front seat at the back of its travel. That’s perhaps forgivable, as there is only so much that can be done within the strictures of a 2.34 metre wheelbase.
Certainly, Toyota’s Aygo Blue offers a decent package that should appeal to those looking to stand out from the crowd without being too garish. The option packs are a neat idea to limit the basic price but also provide customers with more money to spend the choice of personalising their Aygo to their own tastes.
The Aygo overall is a fascinating car. Although some cynics have suggested that Toyota needed a low emission car in order to continue selling hugely profitable Landcruisers due to global CO2 weighting regulations, it’s a worthy entrant to the Toyota line up. Marriage of convenience or otherwise, there’s little doubt that compared to its French rivals, the Aygo looks a more polished, mature product.
Whether it will continue to sell as well given Citroen and Peugeot’s excellent promotional track record with small cars remains to be seen but the Aygo has brought a welcome dose of style and sophistication to a market traditionally populated with econoboxes. For that, if nothing else, Toyota should be applauded.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Toyota Aygo Blue
PRICE: £8,045-£8,895 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 1E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.2s / Max Speed 98mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 51.4mpg / (extra urban) 68.9mpg / (combined) 61.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags on all except entry-level model, ABS, EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3405/1615/1415mm
July 1st 2008