Prepare to go micro with the 2008 Toyota Aygo.

[xcel]

Power won't be this car's selling point as the current model uses a three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine with just 68 horses.

Ed Hellwig - Edmunds - Sept. 18, 2006


Current Toyota Aygo - 50 + easily?

Toyota is developing a two-seat microcar for the U.S. market and thanks to our sources in Europe we have the first exclusive sketches. Expected to be called the 2008 Toyota Aygo, the B-Class city car will provide direct competition for the upcoming 2008 Smart Fortwo two-seater.

Like the Smart, the Aygo is already on sale in Europe, but the coupe you see in our sketches is a fully redesigned version of the current model. Instead of the soft, curvy lines of the present Aygo, the next-generation will have an edgier, more chiseled shape. Up front, the design mimics the Toyota Yaris hatchback although the Aygo's front overhang is considerably shorter. A steeply raked windshield and large doors make the Aygo look bigger while the small quarter windows add a unique profile.

Not much is expected to change on the inside as the current Aygo already has a distinctive cabin design. The 2008 Aygo will continue to use large round dials for the speedometer and tach similar to those favored by Mini. A compact center stack keeps the layout simple and leaves room for extra storage. Unlike the Smart Fortwo, which uses a rear engine design, the Aygo has its drivetrain up front so there's more interior cargo room behind the front seats.

Power won't be this car's selling point as the current model uses a three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine with just 68 horses. A slightly more powerful version of the engine may be used in the U.S. version, however, since most Americans cringe at anything with less than 100 ponies on tap. A majority of Aygos in Europe are sold with a manual transmission, but a good number of the models destined for the States will most likely have some form of an automatic gearbox.

Look for the official debut of the 2008 Toyota Aygo at the Tokyo Motor Show next fall.

[RH77]

OK, now we're finally getting somewhere. Back to the Metro/Swift/Festiva days, but with safety!

RH77

[xcel]

Hi Rick:

___Check out the latest news … If that new UC pans out, the current Gas guzzlers equipped with them will make the Prius II look downright environmentally un-friendly. I know this news is getting old but it is being picked up by more of the majors and with the main individuals standing behind EEStor, there appears to be something to it.

Gentlemen, stop your engines.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[xcel]

Hi All:

___I found some specs for this years Euro Aygo some might be interested in? Most importantly, 1,950 #’s fully loaded with amenities! CO2 output is almost identical to the Prius II in Europe so expect very similar FE as that of the Prius II here.

ENGINE

1.0-litre VVT-i
Type - 3-cylinder in-line
Valve mechanism - DOHC 12-valve
Displacement - 998 (cc)
Bore x stroke - 71.0 x 84.0 (mm)
Compression ratio 10.5:1

Max. power (kW) bhp/rpm
(50) 67@ 6,000
Max. torque Nm/rpm
93 @ 3,600

TRANSMISSION

Drive type - Front-wheel drive
Clutch type - Dry, single plate
Gearbox type - Five-speed manual/Five-speed MMT (optional)

BRAKES

Front - Ventilated discs, 247mm diameter
Rear - Drums, 200mm diameter
Additional features - ABS, EBD

SUSPENSION

Front - MacPherson strut
Rear - Torsion beam

STEERING

Type - Rack and pinion
Ratio: (19.2:1)/(16.5 with EPS)
Turns lock to lock: 3.8 (3.3 with EPS)
Min. turning radius - tire 4.73 (m)

Additional features

Electric Power Steering

TIRES AND WHEELS - STANDARD/OPTIONAL
Wheel size - 14 x 41/2J (steel/alloy)
Tire size - 155/65 R14

DIMENSIONS

Overall length - 3,405 (mm)
Overall width - 1,615 (mm)
Overall height - 1,465 (mm)

Wheelbase - 2,340 (mm)
Luggage compartment capacity 139 (l)

WEIGHTS

Curb weight - 790-890 (kg)
Gross vehicle weight - 1160-1245 (kg)

PERFORMANCE

5 M/T - 5 MMT

Max speed (mph)
98 - 98
0 - 62mph (sec)
14.2 - 14.9

FUEL CONSUMPTION (target)
5 M/T - 5 MMT

Combined (mpg)
61.4 - 61.4
Extra urban (mpg)
68.9 - 68.9
Urban (mpg)
51.4 - 51.4

Fuel tank capacity - 35 (l)

CO2 EMISSIONS (target)

Combined 109 (g/km)
Extra urban 97 (g/km)
Urban 129 (g/km)

AYGO PRINCIPLE EQUIPMENT FEATURES

AYGO T2
AYGO T3 adds
AYGO SPORT adds
ABS and EBD
Power windows
Five-spoke alloy wheels
Driver and passenger airbags
Remote central locking
Front fog lamps
Passenger airbag cut-off switch
Keyless entry system
Tachometer
Driver seatbelt reminder system (with buzzer)
Colour keyed door handles and mirrors
Air conditioning (option)
Integrated rear headrests
Two rear speakers plus two tweeter speakers
Metallic paint (option)
Door mirrors with internal adjustment
50/50 split-folding rear seat
Rear screen wiper
Driver and front passenger vanity mirrors
Heated rear screen
ISOFIX child restraint system (outer rear seats)
Lights on warning
Side airbags
Tilt adjustable steering wheel
Adjustable rear headrests
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Air conditioning (option)
Folding rear seat
Metallic paint (option)
Radio and CD player with two speakers
Color keyed bumpers

AYGO OPTION PACKS

PACK CONTENTS - Travel Pack, Glove box bag, trolley and backpack, Mobility Pack, Tom Tom Aygo navigation system with three-year package of warranty, map updates, installation and radio integration.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[highwater]

mmmmmm, another 1 liter 2 seater, and 60 lbs heavier than the Insight.

Made for the U.S. market. The same market that sold <500 Insight units in it's last year of production.

Must be banking on the lack of rear wheelskirts to sell it.

Randall

edit: changed 600 to 500

[philmcneal]

an insight costs 25000 in canada. A smart fortwo goes for 17000 starting, if it can have a base price lower than these cars, then the two seater craze will start! why pay more when the same amount of money can seat two more people in comfort. The gas savings just don't make sense unless the base cost was low from the start.

[brick]

Absolutely right. Most in the US wouldn't buy this as their only vehicle, and almost nobody would buy it at all if the cost doesn't reflect its limited utility. So it has to be incredibly cheap (cheaper than the Yaris and Fit), to the point that it could be purchased as a second vehicle. If they can do that they might get buyers.

[AshenGrey]

I like the concept, but I'm not sure if it will sell. 2-seat vehicles have typically received a chilly greeting in the United States.

I seem to recall the Fiero GT selling well (my dad owned one and it was a real POS). But that was an entry level sports car, not an economy car.

At least the Aygo looks cool. It looks sort of like a compressed Prius.