THIS is a Toyota? Could Latest Model Make its Way to United States Next?
Toyota unveiled its latest generation Aygo X Prologue this week. To say this car is quirky and hot and sexy would not be underselling it.
The Aygo is currently sold in Europe as a hatchback “city car.” While it is ideal for the smaller vehicle lifestyle overseas, several key features make me wonder if it could work in America too.
Toyota Aygo specs
Toyota Aygo X Prologue
Aygo is sold either as a 3-passenger or 5-passenger hatchback. This is a lighter vehicle with a smaller engine than we are typically used to.
Coming in at about 2,200 pounds, current Toyota Aygo utilizes a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine that produces 72 horsepower and 69 lb.-ft. torque. Drivers can choose from automatic or manual transmission.
Toyota Aygo is capable of reaching about 99 miles per hour.
Here is the kicker, though. Owners can achieve around 61 miles per gallon. In a time where people are watching gas prices closely, perhaps something along the lines of the new Toyota Aygo would be welcomed.
Aygo X Prologue
The new concept car unveiled by Toyota sparks of freshness, mischievousness and fun. I wonder if this would appeal to a similar market as C-HR or Yaris.
Just take the name given to this bold and in-your-face Aygo X Prologue, “Sparkling Chilli Red.” Spicy. Very spicy.
I love the sleek and sporty profile and overall styling. It reminds me of watching Speed Buggy cartoons as a kid. This vehicle may appeal to a younger, edgier, gasoline-conscious audience.
RELATED VIDEO: Watch the Torque News vehicle spotlight on X Prologue.
Make it a Toyota hybrid and imagine how much that all-important mpg rating would climb. Perhaps as high as RAV4 Prime at 94MPGe?
United States feasibility
I feel that on its own, a model like Aygo X Prologue might struggle in this country. Mostly because potential owners generally seek out larger vehicles. But, with a little tweaking it could work.
A vehicle launch like this would fall in line with current Toyota initiative to produce more hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles within the next several years. Toyota will be making more EV, BEV, PHEV, EV, hydrogen fuel-cell and traditional hybrids than ever before.
Recently Toyota announced the imminent launch of one new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and two new battery electric vehicles (BEV). These will be officially revealed and launched in 2021, more than likely hitting United States markets with a 2022 model year badge.
I speculated in previous Torque News stories that one of these new PHEV or BEV Toyota models could be a Tundra, a Lexus, or even something entirely new to us.
Time for your Toyota thoughts
How do you like this Toyota Aygo X Prologue? Do you find it appealing and would you consider a vehicle like this one?
Also, as fuel prices increase, are you thinking about a Toyota hybrid, or maybe a plug-in hybrid such as RAV4 Prime or Prius Prime?
Would you consider a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle, and if not, what concerns about hybrids have you holding back?
Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I give 4 reasons to consider 2022 Tundra hybrid.
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