Toyota Aygo 1.4 Diesel
Whichever way you choose to slice and dice it, motoring these days is an expensive business. So much of modern driving seems to be an artfully laid trap to lighten the wallet. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the day to day burden of driving and not all of them are wholly unpleasant. Take Toyotas Aygo diesel for example.
Heres a city tot that is modern, comfortable and possesses a punchy but economical engine all backed up the sharpest styling in the citycar sector. Small wonder the order book is looking so healthy.
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In most cases, youll either have to run the car over a very long period to recoup the extra outlay or else cover the kind of annual mileage that most small car owners simply do not need to do. The best reason to buy a diesel citycar is because you like the driving characteristics of the engine. That way, any fuel economy benefits you incur will be a bonus. Try piloting the Aygo Diesel through some urban sprawl and youll soon find that theres plenty to like.
"If you can stomach the upfront asking price, the Aygo diesel will respond with minuscule ongoing running costs"
With 55bhp on tap, the 1.4-litre common-rail injection engine actually generates less power than the 68bhp petrol alternative and posts a slower 0-60mph time but it dwarfs the 3-cylinder unit with its massively superior torque. If your Toyota is to be used for low speed, urban motoring where every traffic light seems to be red and pulling out of junctions is a pedal to the metal, drop the clutch affair, the 130Nm of torque available from 1,750rpm in the diesel will be a real boon. The petrol option can only manage 93Nm at a lofty 6,000rpm, so that gesticulating driver youve just pulled out in front of will be looming in the mirror like hes sitting in your back seat by the time you get up to speed.
The diesel displays more muscularity than the petrol alternative at the kind of velocities that urban congestion forces us to do and its punchy nature should assist in extricating yourself from sticky situations. The penalty you pay for this is that its substantially noisier than the petrol when idling and cruising. When paired with the lightweight Aygo, the 1.4-litre diesel engine returns a stupendous 69mpg on the combined cycle.
Thats compared to the merely excellent 55mpg you get from the petrol model. A big difference then - until you consider that the diesels £1,100 price premium means youd have to run it for 8,000 miles a year over nearly nine years before you made your money back at the pumps. Still, the Aygo diesels engine can also offer one of the lowest CO2 outputs of any car currently on sale. With just 109g/km leaking from its tailpipe, its likely to be in the lowest road tax banding for the foreseeable future.
A group 1E insurance rating will be similarly easy on the pocket. Initially, the diesel Aygo range starts at £8,330 and consists of two trim levels (Aygo+ and Sport). Both three and five door variants are offered and the option of a smart Crystal Silver metallic paint finish is also offered. Although its largely the same car as a C1 or a 107, Toyota have gone to greater lengths to visually differentiate the Aygo.
This is reflected in a marginally higher sticker price, but for many, the treatment of the front grille and lights and the smooth way the rear lamp clusters have been integrated will be enough to swing the balance. Built in the Czech Republic, the Aygo range as a whole is being sold in volume. Toyota are aiming to shift 100,000 units per year across Europe and so far, they arent finding that a problem. The front and rear overhangs have been kept short so as to maximise interior space and make parking simple.
The tale of the tape shows a 3.4 metre overall length, which is almost 23cm shorter than a modern MINI. Colour choices arent extensive with Chilli Red being the standard paint finish while the upper spec models also get the option of Ice Blue and Carbon Quartz metallic. The interior features a two-tone dashboard with a textured effect, while the door trims feature body coloured detailing.
One of the more eye-catching features is the design of the ventilation controls on the centre console. Two large wheels bookend the console with a translucent panel sitting between them. Coupled with the funky, minimalist instrument layout, they give the Aygos fascia a very modern appearance. The Aygo diesel is a very interesting proposition.
The ruthlessly sensible amongst you will no doubt pick the 1.0-litre petrol car as the more cost-effective option and youd be right. No contest. Still, the diesel is a more appealing day-to-day car, of that there is no question.
With the additional torque making for excellent driveability and the tiny ongoing running costs going some way to offset the initially high purchase price, its a model thats sure to find favour with the British motorist. A citycar that can do more than just crawl through city streets? That has to be worth the price Toyota are asking. Doesnt it?
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Toyota Aygo diesel range
PRICES: £8,330-£9,080 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 1E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15.6s / Max Speed 96mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 53.3mpg / (extra urban) 83.1mpg / (combined) 68.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags on all except entry-level model, ABS, EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3405/1615/1415mm
