| Manufacturer | Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech |
|---|---|
| Production | 2005–present |
| Assembly | Kolín, Czech Republic |
| Class | City car |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.0 L 1KR-FE I3 1.4 L DV4 HDi diesel I4 |
| Wheelbase | 2,340 mm (92.1 in) |
| Length | 3,405 mm (134.1 in) |
| Width | 1,615 mm (63.6 in) |
| Height | 1,465 mm (57.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 890 kg (1,962 lb) |
| Related | Peugeot 107 Citroën C1 |
The Toyota Aygo ( /ˈaɪɡoʊ/) is a city car sold by Toyota in Europe since 2005. All Aygos are built at the new factory of the Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech (TPCA) joint venture in Kolin, Czech Republic. The Aygo was first displayed at the 2005 Salon de l'Automobile de Genève. The name "Aygo" comes from "i-go",[1] symbolising freedom and mobility.[2]
The decision to produce the cars was made on July 12, 2001, when the presidents of Toyota and PSA Peugeot Citroën, Fujio Cho and Jean-Martin Folz respectively, decided to produce a small car to share development costs. This project was called B-Zero. The Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 are rebadged versions of the same car.
The Aygo's starting on-the-road price is €8,500 (GB£6,845). The main difference between the Aygo and its siblings is in the interior equipment, badges, logos and the easily recognizable rear end of the car. The planned production is 300,000 cars annually – 100,000 cars per brand. Sales began in July 2005 and the car is available as a three or five-door hatchback. There are two engines available, a 1.0 L three-cylinder engine rated at 68 bhp (51 kW), and a 1.4 L HDi diesel I4 engine rated at 54 bhp (40 kW). The Aygo has a 4-star EuroNCAP rating.
The Aygo was used on BBC's Top Gear in a giant match of football, showcasing its maneuverability. The Top Gear presenters deemed the Aygo and its Peugeot and Citroën counterparts to be competent town cars.
A modified Aygo was also used on Fifth Gear to perform a 12 metre high loop-the-loop on a specially-designed track to determine if a stunt that can be done using Hot Wheels toys can be replicated in real life. The stunt was driven by UK Stuntman Steve Truglia in May 2009.
In January 2010, the Aygo was part of a worldwide recall by Toyota for a faulty sticking accelerator pedal. Under certain circumstances, the pedal can stick in a partially depressed position, or return slowly to the off position. All models built between February 2005 and August 2009 could be affected. The recall has also affected the Aygo's Peugeot and Citroën counterparts as well.[3] New information from Toyota has suggested, however, that only Aygos with automatic gearboxes are affected, and that those with manual gearboxes are not.[4] In 2006, two Aygos were donated to the local police force in Chippenham, England for use as patrol cars.[5]
Contents |
Gasoline / AYGO 3 & 5-door 1.0 VVT-i 5-speed Man & M/M
Diesel / AYGO 3 & 5-door 1.4L Diesel 5-speed Man
| Petrol engine | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s/0-62MPH | Top Speed | Note | CO2 emission (g/km) |
| 1.0i 12V | I3 | 998 cc | 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) @6000 rpm | 93 N·m (69 lb·ft) @3600 rpm | 14.2 | 98 mph (158 km/h) | 106 | |
| Diesel engine | ||||||||
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s/0-62MPH | Top speed | Note | CO2 emission (g/km) |
| 1.4HDi 8V | I4 | 1398 cc | 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) @4000 rpm | 130 N·m (96 lb·ft) @1750 rpm | 15.6 | 96 mph (154 km/h) | Diesel engine option has been discontinued from the Aygo range | 109 |
In 2009, the Aygo was given a refresh at the same time as its Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 sisters. These revisions were limited to new rear light clusters and a new front bumper and grille. Trim levels remained largely the same, with Aygo, Aygo Plus, Aygo Black and Aygo Blue available at launch. CO2 emissions dropped and fuel economy improved. New colours were also available.
Breakdown statistics reported by the German Automobile Club in May 2010 placed the Aygo (which the data grouped with the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107) at the top of the sub-small car class in respect of the low break-down rates achieved for cars aged between 1 and 4 years.[7][8] Class laggards were the Chevrolet Matiz (0–3-year-old cars) and the two seater Smart (4–5-year-old cars).[7]
In 2008, Toyota created a driveable one-off concept car based on the Toyota Aygo. Named the Aygo Crazy, it was unveiled to the public at the July 2008 British International Motor Show in London, before appearing at other UK-based motor shows that year.[9]
Aygo Crazy has a rear mounted 1.8 litre VVTi engine from the Toyota MR2 and Celica, mated to an MR2 five speed gearbox and fitted with a Toyota Motorsport turbocharger conversion. The manufacturer claims the engine produces 197 bhp (147 kW; 200 PS) at 6,700 rpm and 177 lb·ft (240 N·m) torque at 3,400 rpm.
Weighing just 1,050 kg (2,315 lb) , this gives it a 0-62 mph sprint time of 5.75 seconds and a theoretical top speed of 127 mph (204 km/h), though the latter has not been tested. Unlike the standard Aygo, it has no driver aids, steering or anti-lock brakes but its rear wheel drive layout helps traction under heavy acceleration.
Exterior modifications include wider arches to accommodate the one inch of extra track, 17-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear tyres and a carbon fibre rear spoiler designed for the 200 mph (320 km/h) American Champ Car series.
Suspension is from the MR2, with adjustable Tein shock absorbers and McPherson struts front and rear. To cope with the extra power, Toyota upgraded the standard 247 mm (9.7 in) front brake discs to a 328 mm (12.9 in) Brembo conversion, with 280 mm (11.0 in) ventilated rear discs replacing the 200 mm (7.9 in) drums normally found on the Aygo. An uprated Helix clutch is also used.
The interior features a partial roll cage for extra chassis comfort and driver protection. Two specially designed sports seats, trimmed in red and black, and a suede-rimmed Sparco steering wheel complete the race-inspired look.
Toyota claims the Aygo Crazy cost GB£100,000 to build.[10]