What's the news?

Toyota is keen to enhance its youthful image with the introduction of new, more exciting-looking models, starting with the Aygo. The new A-segment car, which shares much of its platform technology with the new Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108, is a visual departure from previous models and is clearly aimed and winning back younger buyers.

Exterior

The most striking feature is the front 'X' design, which gives the car a sharper and more dynamic appearance. This will also allow Toyota to offer higher levels of personalisation through different colour combinations. In total, ten different parts around the car can be easily changed with those of a different colour, meaning that owners will be able to alter the look further down the line.

LED daytime running lamps featuring Poly-Ellipsoid System halogen lights will be a standard fitment on the Aygo, while the rear light clusters are set within the hexagonal tailgate. As before, Toyota will offer the new Aygo in both three- and five-door variants.

Interior

Careful design has meant that the interior of the Aygo now feels more spacious than before. Although the car's wheelbase remains the same at 2,340mm, the passenger compartment has gained an additional 9mm. In keeping with the exterior, Toyota will also offer the option of adding contrasting colour accents to the interior. A simple, clean dashboard layout will feature a seven-inch full colour touchscreen that will control many of the car's functions as well as the multimedia. The rest of the dashboard features a matt anti-glare finish, which is designed to reduce reflections onto the windscreen on sunnier days, while the view out from the driver's seat is helped by a sleeker A-pillar design, which will help in town driving.

On the practical side of things, Toyota has increased the luggage capacity of the Aygo by 29 litres to a total of 168 litres. It might not be huge, but this is an A-segment car after all. That boot space also now has a wider aperture, which will make loading larger items easier.

Mechanicals

Powering the new Aygo will be Toyota's 1.0-litre VVTi three-cylinder petrol engine, which is one of the lightest engines in its class according to the Japanese company, and should benefit the handling characteristics of the car. The new Aygo will also feature a host of safety systems including EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and VSC (vehicle stability control), as well as curtain airbags, ISOFIX points, adjustable speed limiter and HAC (hill-start assist control). The car's new bodyshell is also designed to be more absorbent in a crash and performs better in the event of a pedestrian collision.

Anything else?

Toyota will be keen to win back the younger buyers with its new Aygo, so we expect it to be keenly priced, although it will still face some serious competition from the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108, which it shares its underpinnings with.