By Steve & Tamami Laser
Toyota sells a variety of small crossovers across the globe, including the new Yaris Cross, Corolla Cross and Raise. Now it looks like there might be room for another, even smaller entry for the European market.
The Aygo X prologue is a bold new concept that reimagines Toyota’s A-segment minicar as a sporty crossover for style-conscious, youthful customers in Europe. Toyota says that these individuals are demanding flair, distinctiveness, and the chance to make a personal statement – so it designed a car specifically for them.
The crossover’s styling is the product of Toyota’s ED2 European Design Headquarters near Nice on the French Riviera.
Up front, Aygo X prologue is dressed with high-tech wing-style lights. A large lower grille contributes to the powerful look, while details like hexagonal fog lights, and action cameras imbedded in the side mirrors, add high-tech appeal.
The concept sports a four-door coupe-like silhouette, with big fender flares and a distinctive two-tone paint treatment. Toyota says the graphic style grabs attention by emphasizing the concept’s readiness to leap forward into action.
The top four ingredients that influenced the exterior colors are chili, ginger, wasabi, and black pepper, creating “Sparkling Chili Red” as the name for the paint.
We really like the look of the new Aygo X prologue and hope that Toyota puts it into production in the future. Potential powertrain choices have not been revealed to date, yet we can envision hybrid, or perhaps full electric, propulsion for the street. Or maybe a continuation of the Aygo’s 3-cylinder gas engine? Let’s take a quick look at the current production model.
What Is the Toyota Aygo?
Originally introduced in 2005, Toyota says the first generation Aygo was designed to attract young, urban-based customers. With updates in 2008 and 2012, and second-generation models launched in 2014, Aygo has sold more than 1 million units.
The current Aygo (x-trend model shown above) features an iconic “X” front design, a 3-cylinder, 998cc, DOHC Dual VVT-i engine, x-shift automated manual transmission, Toyota Safety Sense features, and available Display Audio with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration.
Aygo is the result of a joint-venture with PSA, with cars developed for Europe and produced at the TPCA (Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile) plant in Kolin, Czech Republic. Toyota Motor Europe took full ownership of the plant this year, and renamed it Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ].
Toyota says the Kolin plant has been producing the A-segment models Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1 since 2005 and will continue to do so for both companies. Meanwhile it invested in capacity expansion and modernization for the plant. Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2021, allowing the plant to build the new Toyota Yaris, including hybrid technology.
Note: Aygo X prologue is a concept car and is not for sale. Features and specifications for regular European production Aygo models are subject to change without notice.
News sources and photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA and Toyota (GB) PLC
Story (intro and commentary) © 2021 CarNichiWa.com