Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has received a lot of flack over the past few years for its product placement and pricing. Since it stopped producing the popular Tazz, the company has not had a budget-friendly option in its line-up, and even the B-segment Yaris was a bit out of reach of the first-time buyers. However, all this has now changed. Enter the Aygo.
The Aygo has been available in Europe since 2005 and has just undergone a small facelift for 2011. TSAM believes that this is the perfect time to introduce this funky new hatchback onto the local market.
Aimed at the first-time buyer, the new Aygo is available in two specification levels – Fresh and Wild. The Fresh model comes fitted with power steering, air-conditioning and tilt adjustment on the steering column. To this package, the Wild spec level adds alloy wheels, an audio system, electric front windows, split rear seats and privacy glass. Standard safety items include ABS with EBD and brake assist, central locking, an immobiliser and two airbags.
Built in the same plant as the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107, the Aygo is powered by the same 1,0-litre petrol engine which has a maximum power output of 50 kW at 6 000 r/min and 93 N.m of torque at 3 600 r/min. Fitted with a five-speed manual transmission, this compact hatchback is capable of sprinting from zero to 100 km/h in 14,9 seconds and has a top speed of 157 km/h. Fuel consumption is 4,6 litres/100 km, while emissions is a nice and low 105 g/km – no tax, yay!
First-time buyers are sensitive to the price of maintaining their vehicle. For peace of mind, the Aygo is available with a four-year/60 000 km service plan… as standard on both models.
TSAM believes that “… the Aygo offers all of Toyota’s traditional strengths of quality, low cost of ownership and reliability, while the style and unique list of options (such as more potent sound systems and visual add-ons) will satisfy the needs of a youthful crowd, especially customers looking for their first set of wheels, but who do not want any of the traditional offerings in this segment”.
Prices:
Toyota Aygo Fresh: R109 900
Toyota Aygo Wild: R120 100