TOYOTA AYGO: À LA MODE AND ON THE MOVE THIS SUMMER

KEY POINTS

• Toyota introduces new Aygo range, with improved safety equipment features as standard across the board
• New line-up of Active, Active plus, Mode and Move, plus new colours and roof decals
• Avensis range extended to include new high value Edition and Select grades

New Aygo range

It’s eight years since Aygo first shook up the city car market, but the tiny Toyota is still setting the pace with a refreshed model line-up that matches new grades with extra safety kit, new colours and roof decals.

It’s essentially still the same lively and cheap-to-run machine that’s proved enduringly popular, but with improved specifications and options that keep it bang on-trend with customers looking for a car that’s stylish, comprehensively safe and individual.

The new grade line-up runs from Active and Active plus through to Mode and Move. Where equipment is concerned, the principle change has been to equip all versions with the same complement of safety features. That means even the entry level Active now comes as standard with VSC stability control, curtain airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts and seatbelt buckle-up reminders for driver and front passenger, in addition to the ABS, EBD and driver and passenger front and side airbags that are established features. A 50:50 split-folding rear seatback with detachable headrests has also been added to the Active specification.

The new Mode makes a street statement, adding a set of 14-inch eight-spoke Ragno alloy wheels to a spec’ list that also features front fog lights, rear privacy glass, LED daytime running lights, tachometer, electric front windows, remote central locking and body colour-matched door handles and mirrors.

Central to the new Aygo Move is a neat portable TomTom navigation system that slots easily into place on a folding dock on top of the dashboard. Loaded with the latest map data, it brings with it Bluetooth, a USB port and iPod connection that allows the player to be controlled using the satnav’s touchscreen. Air conditioning, a tachometer and leather steering wheel and gear knob trim are also part of the Move package.

To ramp up the visual impact, customers can opt for the new Aygo Move with Style, factoring in six-spoke alloys, privacy glass and LED daytime running lights. Air conditioning is an option on Active Plus and Mode versions.

A Protection Pack is available for the five-door Aygo Mode and Move, providing rear parking sensors, front and rear mud flaps, carpet mats and side protection mouldings. All versions of Mode and Move can also be treated to a Design Pack, adding front scuff plates, chrome trim at the rear and a chrome finisher on the tailpipe.

The range of seven colours for Aygo includes two new shades. Nero Rosso (available for Mode and Move grades) combines deep red bodywork with a contrasting black roof, and adds gloss black trim details around the cabin. Napoli Blue metallic is exclusive to Move grade, with matching trim on the door panels, air vent and tachometer surrounds.

For even more impact, there is a new range of roof decals: customers can choose from Union Jack designs in classic red-white-and-blue or monochrome; a racing chequer design; white gloss; and gloss or matt black.

All models use Toyota’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, with CO₂ emissions from a road-tax-beating 99g/km and official combined cycle fuel consumption from 65.7mpg. Three and five-door body styles are available across the range. Full range details and prices are available.

The new Aygo range is on sale now, priced from £8,595.

Avensis additions

Summer brings two new value versions in the Avensis line-up, the new Avensis Edition and Avensis Select.

Based on the entry-level Access trim, the Select models gain daytime running lights, new-design 16-inch wheelcaps, leather steering wheel trim and a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth. It is available for the 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol saloon and 2.0-litre D-4D saloon and Tourer models, priced from £16,495.

Avensis Edition takes the standard Icon specification and adds automatic windscreen wipers and headlights, automatic air condtitioning, 17-inch machine-faced alloy wheels, front fog lights and Toyota’s Touch & Go multimedia system with touchscreen, navigation, on-line connectivity, rear-view camera, Bluetooth and USB port. The Edition package is available with the 1.8 Valvematic and 2.0 D-4D saloon and Tourer models, priced from £18,495.

The mpg figures quoted in this document are sourced from official EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect an individual’s actual driving experience.