The Toyota Aygo catches the eye

IF YOU are producing a small

‘city’ car that shares its underpinning with two other cars by different companies, then you have got to be imaginative with the colour design. That’s what Toyota have done with their small Aygo, which comes in a range of bright colours.

In 2001 the presidents of Toyota and PSA Peugeot/Citroen got together and decided to produce a small car to share development costs. The project produced the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107.

Now there is very little between the cars in size and price, but the Aygo certainly stands out in the colour and styling department. The day I went to pick up my test car from Toyota headquarters in Killeen Road, there were two very colourful models parked near reception. There was a very attractive amber colour, but I had the keys to a white version with a red trim, which was equally attractive.

The front of the Aygo really catches your eye as it has an

‘X’ design grille. Whether it really has the

‘X Factor’ is up to you, the motorist, to decide. But it’s certainly very daring from Toyota, who are normally fairly conservative with their front designs.

You can experiment and mix and match the various colours. However, the Opel Adam also offered the choice to mix and match, but that wasn’t a great success in Ireland. You should always bear in mind that someday you will want to trade-in your car and the next person may not like your

‘mad’ design. However, I really did like the Toyota logo on the hub caps.

It’s a neat city car, which can turn on the proverbial

‘sixpence’. And if you are inexperienced at parking, your confidence in parallel parking should definitely improve in the Aygo.
Bright externally, there are some nice styling interior touches also which make the car attractive. I liked the simple design on the dash.

There is a touch-screen display and two buttons for the radio controls – none of your scanning up and down to find your favourite station. I drove a four-door version and the back doors seemed a bit

‘tinnier’ than the front.

On the road this is a lively motor, but sometimes the 1.0-litre petrol engine was found wanting if I wanted to overtake in a hurry.