| First Drive | Woburn, Bedfordshire | Toyota Aygo Crazy |

I'd pretty much disregarded the conversation about a mid-engined Aygo I had with Toyota's head of PR on the launch of the Lexus IS range. After all, it was a long while ago and I never quite believed it would happen. But I've just been driving it, and it's been worth the wait.

In the Metal

The Aygo Crazy looks like the sort of mongrel offspring that's the result of a Toyota super-touring car getting a little bit racy with a cute little Aygo. The Aygo might be the perfect town car, but the Aygo Crazy forgoes any practicality and does exactly what its name suggests - goes crazy. Actually, that's a huge understatement - this tiny wee car has gone completely loony tunes, ex-rental... It should come fitted with a straight jacket - if you use the harness racing belts inside you'll feel like you're wearing one. For a one-off, the execution of the Aygo's transformation from toy town to track terrorist is absolutely fantastic. The body modifications - comically proportioned as they are - are brilliantly integrated into the Aygo's shape, though the spray paint decals are perhaps a step too far...

What you get for your Money

The Aygo Crazy is a one-off, the dream of Toyota UK's petrol-headed staff wanting something a bit fun to show at the British Motor Show. So you can't buy it, even if you had the rumoured £100k it is said to have cost to build it. Really, it's a bargain, the mid-engined Aygo Crazy feeling worth every penny. The engine installation is brilliantly integrated inside the passenger compartment where the rear seats should be. The space where it should be is now filled with a fuel tank and a huge radiator for the 1.8-litre turbocharged unit. It looks and feels like a proper little race car too, Toyota having coachtrimmers O'Rourke finish off the Crazy's interior with a mix of red leather and Alcantara.

There's a roll cage in there too, and a Sparco steering wheel; the Crazy is more than just a show car - it was built to be driven... Hard.

Driving it

Greasy autumnal roads, 200 turbocharged and unruly horsepower, a short wheelbase, no traction control and just 1,050kg ensures you're kept busy in the Crazy. Riding on MR2 suspension it feels brilliantly solid on the road, with only the nastiest bumps setting it bouncing along. On smoother tarmac it grips hard, the front feeling really pointy and precise with its feelsome steering. The rear is pretty lively, stepping out quickly when powering on through a bend. It's never snappy or too tricky to catch, but it does demand an attentive driver thanks to that tiny wheelbase.

The power delivery is manic; when the turbo's force builds the Aygo surges forward with real muscle. It's hilarious, particularly as in front of you - aside from the roll cage and a few additional gauges - the Crazy is pure Aygo. The noise is tremendous too, as in loud rather than particularly enjoyable. The chattering from the turbo behind you never fails to raise a smile though, whether you're reaching for the Aygo's peak 200bhp at 6,700rpm or just changing up a gear on the motorway.

Despite its turbocharged fizziness the Crazy is beautifully tractable and easy to drive at low revs. Thank the 177lb.ft peak torque figure and 1,050kg kerb weight for that. With it gathering speed so easily Toyota has upgraded the manic little Aygo's brakes with 328mm ventilated discs at the front gripped by Brembo four-pot callipers and 280mmm ventilated discs at the back; the standard Aygo brakes would wilt in seconds if they were asked to deal with the Crazy's performance. However, the new system needs a firm boot, with non-existent servo assistance - the first time you hit the brakes is a moment that is certain to stay with you for a while.

Worth Noting

Don't do as we did and look at the fuel light on the instrument cluster - it's always flashing empty. Really, we didn't look that stupid at the fuel station after putting £3 in it after finding the tank was in fact full. That's assuming you find the tank, with its filler under the bonnet. There's a working fuel gauge alongside a temperature gauge on the centre console. You'd better like attention too, as the Aygo Crazy is a four-wheeled people magnet. You cannot stop anywhere without people asking about it. Everyone loves it.

Summary

Toyota has something of an earnest brand identity, the Aygo Crazy underlining that despite a range that's worthy but dull there are some real enthusiasts in Toyota's UK office. The idea could have been so badly executed, or a show-stand show-car, but Toyota went the whole way and built an amazingly entertaining car. We just wish they'd build a few more as we all want one here.