Design review Toyota Aygo X: ‘The Supra cannot stand in its shadow’

Akio Toyoda exclaimed a few years ago: “No More Boring Cars!” Then the Japanese made it their mission to build high-profile cars. That in no way meant that the cars that followed were all equally successful. The extraordinarily characterful, but little-refined Prius from 2015 undeniably meets the requirements No More Boring Carsbriefing, but the designation will not be imposed stylishly anytime soon.

The Toyota Supra has too short a wheelbase and therefore huge overhangs front and rear. Recently, the unpleasant-looking Supra also made it into that list. Suffered from the unpleasant proportions due to its BMW chassis due to the far too short wheelbase and enormous overhangs front and rear. That car is anything but a worthy successor to the Supra that preceded it. The 90s Supra was clearly honest Japanese, original and contemporary with well done surfacing. That cannot be said about the current Supra. Not to mention the uncivilized large headlights, bulging, forced skin and weird fake slots on the side. All over the place, the English would say. With the current Auris and also the CH-R, the design storm seems to have passed and the Japanese are sailing a course that is unmistakably new generation Toyota and also very controlled.

The Toyota Aygo X in a brave guise.

With the Aygo X, Toyota shows a further maturing of its aesthetics. A design language that, on the one hand, is indisputably a further development of the previous Aygo and also looks more confident and more developed.

Profile is typical Toyota

The profile is an interesting design statement and typical Toyota. A look that is noticeably more refined than the characterful, but somewhat wooden outgoing Aygo. The Aygo X has beautiful surfacing solutions and pronounced, large wheels on the corners. The Japanese influences can also be seen crystal clear in this design. In particular, the pronounced strong facial identity with its eyes on top of the nose, reminiscent of that of a frog or a crocodile. The high-mounted headlights create a unique DRG (Down The Road Graphic) for the Aygo X.

The Toyota Aygo X’s high-mounted headlights give it something of a frog or a crocodile. And that’s not negative.

Duo-tone is a nice invention for Aygo X

The duo-tone color scheme of the body is another great invention. It is clear that this has been included in the aesthetics from the start in the design process. Rather than a simple paint line, the duo-tone is an integral part of the structural design. Conceptually, the solution is somewhat similar to the ironclad Tridion Safety Cage which was beautifully visualized by Smart in the design of its models. The idea takes care of a number of important things for the Toyota, including a very dynamic profile. For a compact car, the Aygo X is assertive. The color scheme is not a simple side issue, but contributes to this stability by emphasizing graphic expressions such as the dividing seams, glass section and folds in the body.

The color patches not only stay on the side, but moved to the rear of the car, where the color split line forms the rear door of the car. This not only looks special, but also saves money in the production of an additional metal panel. Incidentally, this saving method is a well-known solution: Volkswagen applied it to the VW Up, Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo. And the trio of Aygo, C1 and 107 also used this solution. However, the application on the Aygo X is many times more sculptural than is the case with the above-mentioned cars. Furthermore, the color treatment visually pushes the front of the car forward, giving it an extra dynamic look.

Affordable emotion, the Toyota Aygo X proves that it is possible

Toyota Design Europe aimed to create an affordable model with an emotional design: a tough, outspoken car for everyone. And it worked. Although the Aygo X has grown slightly compared to its predecessor, it is still a small car, which is positioned below the Yaris. With slightly more ground clearance, the Aygo X offers the allure of a rugged adventure vehicle in a compact package. Honest design and perfect for urban environments in Europe. The Aygo X is contemporary with beautiful proportions and good surfacing: the Supra cannot be in its shadow.