The next small car to be built by Toyota will be badged Aygo X, the company has confirmed. Set to be revealed next month, it is the first model to be planned, designed and produced entirely in Europe.
Drawing inspiration from the Aygo X prologue concept that was shown to the world back in March, the new compact crossover promises to bring something “unique” to the A-segment when it goes head-to-head with the Volkswagen Up! and Hyundai i10 city cars.
In reference to the tall-riding, crossover-inspired look, the ‘x’ in the name should be pronounced cross, say Toyota, with this bringing the car in line with other SUV-models such as the larger Yaris Cross.
Lance Scott – Design Director at ED2, Toyota’s European design headquarters in the South of France – said the Aygo X prologue added “an extra pinch of hot spice”, with design cues from that study set to make it into production.
Compared to the current Aygo which the Aygo X is set to replace as the entry-point to the Toyota range, it is 3,700mm long and 1,500mm tall and is underpinned by Toyota’s latest GA-B architecture.
Recent spy shots of the car taken during cold weather testing show a heavily camouflaged mule with short overhangs, a vertical rear and classic wheel-at-each-corner layout. The roof was left untouched, however, revealing a canvas roof that is expected to be offered as one of the options.
Engine-wise, Toyota previously confirmed it will use a combustion motor instead of a hybrid set-up in an effort to keep the car’s purchase price down to ensure it appeals to its key market: young drivers.
The most plausible option would be the firm’s three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol that is found under the bonnet of the current Aygo. By side-stepping hybrid drive, the starting price should be in the same £13,500 ballpark as the existing Aygo.
Inside, meanwhile, the Aygo X is expected to share switchgear currently found in the bigger Yaris supermini.
A Toyota spokesperson said: “The Aygo X development team studied current and future lifestyles in urban and suburban environments in Europe to deliver a confident, compact crossover that is unique in the small car/A-segment.”
They added that the new model will be produced at the same plant as the current car, in Kolin, the Czech Republic.
