Aygo leads Toyota push
TOYOTA sold 101,692 cars in the UK last year and looks set to pass that in 2018.
Leading the charge is Aygo, the brand’s super-successful city car, which has been given a sharp new look and a package of improvements to spice up its fun-to-drive qualities and make its frugal 1.0-litre engine even more efficient. It went on sale on July 1.
Last year, the Aygo accounted for nearly a quarter of Toyota’s UK sales and it looks well on course to surpass that this year.
The new model’s grade structure has been tweaked to appeal to a wider audience, with a special focus on the ‘high end’. Each grade has its own design elements, recognisable by different front bumpers, alloy wheels and interior finishes.
From the entry level grade x, to the mid-range x-play and the high grade x-clusiv, each Aygo version has been tailored to appeal to the tastes and needs of different customers.
All variants are five-door though you can get a three-door x, which at £9,695 on-the-road is £300 cheaper than the five-door.
The £11,375 x-play is the beating heart of the line-up with standard equipment including aircon, LED rear lights, speed limiter, adjustable driver’s seat and the x-touch multimedia system with DAB and Bluetooth.
It uses a seven-inch full-colour touchscreen fully integrated into the instrument panel and features a rear view camera.
In 2017, Toyota’s new C-HR SUV proved an instant hit with British buyers due to its angular lines, futuristic styling, classy interior and sharp handling.
The good news is, its appeal has just been increased with a high-spec new trim line and a package of upgrades for the original line-up.
The new C-HR Design grade sports 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass and auto-folding heated door mirrors with integrated turn indicators. Welcoming entry illumination and ambient cabin lighting are also part of the package, together with smart entry and push-button start.
Front seats are both heated and feature power-adjustable lumbar support. There’s also front and rear sensors, plus Intelligent Park Assist for hassle-free parking.
All that comes on top of a reversing camera, dual-zone automatic air con, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety and driver assistance functions.
Excel and Dynamic trims have also been upgraded. Excel models have now gained full black leather upholstery and rear LED lights.
For the Dynamic grade, there’s new matt black 18-inch alloys, black fabric upholstery and a silver trim line on the dashboard. It can also be specified in vibrant Cyan Blue paintwork.
On-the-road prices for the C-HR start at £21,880.