2018 Toyota Aygo facelift debuts with even bolder face

Remember the second-generation Toyota Aygo? The one with the striking “X” graphic on the front end? Well, that car has been given a facelift and it’s an even more polarising look this time around.

That criss-cross face gets a three-dimensional update, serving as an architectural feature on which the triangular lower grille and redesigned headlights sit on. Those lamps – which incorporate new LED daytime running lights – have fake grilles underneath them, which are said to accentuate the car’s width. Also emphasising the width are the LED light guides in the tail lights, which kink outwards as they go down.

Rounding off the new looks are the new Magenta and Blue body colours, as well as a new design for the wheel caps and the 15-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there are new seat fabrics on most models, a more premium Quartz Grey and Piano Black colour scheme and new three-dimensional graphics and backlighting colour for the instrument cluster multi-info display.

The revised model lineup puts greater focus on the higher-end models. Above the base x model sits the x-play, which features air-conditioning and an x-touch infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen, and offers up a number of options. Topping the range, the x-clusiv throws in a two-tone exterior colour scheme, 15-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, part-leather seats, auto air-con, keyless entry and Toyota Safety Sense.

Driver assistance features in the Toyota Safety Sense package include Pre-Collision System (PCS), an autonomous emergency braking system that works at speeds of between 10 and 80 km/h. Lane Departure Alert (LDA) is also featured in the mix.

Two special edition models are also available – the x-cite gains a Magenta two-tone exterior, black 15-inch alloys, Manhattan seat fabric with Magenta stitching, body-coloured air vent and gearknob inserts and Piano Black trim. Meanwhile, the x-trend adds a Black exterior with black headlight grilles, Cyan door mirrors, body stickers, 15-inch 10-spoke alloys, part-leather upholstery and Cyan interior accents.

Under the bonnet lies the same 1.0 litre VVT-i three-cylinder petrol engine, but it’s now Euro 6.2-compliant with a new dual fuel injector system, a higher compression ratio, new low-friction components, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and an improved balance shaft to reduce vibration at idle.

Power is now up four horsepower to 72 hp at 6,000 rpm, while the 93 Nm of maximum torque is now made lower down in the rev range, at 4,000 rpm. Equipped with either a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automated manual, it will hit 100 km/h in 13.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 160 km/h.

The facelifted Aygo is also available in an Eco version with taller fourth and fifth gears, low rolling resistance tyres, automatic engine stop/start and a number of aerodynamic tweaks. Even without these additions, the standard Aygo’s fuel consumption has dropped from 4.1 to 3.9 litres per 100 km on the European NEDC cycle, while carbon dioxide emissions have dropped by five grams per kilometre to 90 grams per kilometre.

The chassis receives a couple of tweaks as well – suspension has been retuned and the steering software updated, allowing greater and more precise reaction to driver inputs for grater agility and driving enjoyment. Noise vibration has also been reduced significantly, says Toyota, with added sealing and absorption materials to the dashboard, A-pillars, doors and rear deck.

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