Toyota Aygo Platinum : A PLATINUM INVESTMENT?

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Jonathan Crouch checks out Toyotas latest Aygo Platinum Special Edition

Colour is crucial when choosing your car, especially a funky city car like the Toyota Aygo thats as much a style statement as a mode of transport for getting you about town. Unsurprisingly, the Aygo Platinum special edition model were looking at here has its own unique metallic shade of Crystal Silver.

The Platinum intends to emphasise the cars design flare with a range of cosmetic enhancements. This is supposed to be an Aygo you buy with your heart. The metallic Crystal Silver paint and 14" Turbine alloy wheels combine to striking effect outside while the interior is given a new dynamic dimension by the sports leather steering wheel and leather gearknob. The highlight though is the Alcantara trim. This high end material is normally the preserve of performance hatchbacks and sports cars and in the Aygo Platinum, it looks outstanding. Tally up all the extras on the Aygo Platinum and youll reach a total of £980 worth.

When you consider the £8,045 asking price, the car looks like a real bargain. Things get even better too. Toyota are offering the Aygo Platinum with 0% finance for a limited period so you can spread the cost into manageable instalments with nothing extra to pay. Sounds like a not to be missed opportunity.

Naturally, in terms of performance, you need to remember that the Aygo is a citycar first and foremost, something reflected in a sprint to 60mph that takes 14 seconds. The good news is the fact that the 1.0-litre petrol engine is predictably excellent in terms of fuel economy and emissions. The combined economy figure is 61.

4mpg and emissions are pegged at a laudable 109g/km.

"The Aygo is a fascinating car, made more appealing in this guise with the Platinum trimmings. ."

These figures are helped by the fact that the 1.0-litre is billed as the worlds lightest production engine. Effort is further removed by the fitment of electrically assisted power steering, making light work of turning the Aygo about face in just 9.46 metres.

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. 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 panel, they give the Aygos fascia a very modern appearance. The steering column is adjustable for both reach and rake, the speedometer binnacle moving with the wheel.

Coupled with plenty of drivers seat travel and ample headroom, there shouldnt be a problem getting comfortable behind the wheel of the Aygo. Sitting behind a tall driver is another issue altogether and rear space is a little pinched with the front seat at the back of its travel. Thats perhaps forgivable, as there is only so much that can be done within the strictures of a 2.34 metre wheelbase.

The Aygo overall is a fascinating car, made more appealing in this guise with the Platinum trimmings. Although some cynics have suggested that Toyota needed a low emission car in order to continue selling hugely profitable Landcruisers due to global CO2 weighting regulations, its a worthy entrant to the Toyota line up. Marriage of convenience or otherwise, theres little doubt that compared to its French rivals, the Aygo looks a more polished, mature product. Whether it will continue to sell as well given Citroen and Peugeots excellent promotional track record with small cars remains to be seen but the Aygo has brought a welcome dose of style and sophistication to a market traditionally populated with econoboxes.

For that, if nothing else, Toyota should be applauded.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Toyota Aygo Platinum special edition
PRICE: £8,045-£8,895 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 1E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.2s / Max Speed 98mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 51.4mpg / (extra urban) 68.9mpg / (combined) 61.4mpg
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 2nd July 2008