|
|
|
Nargess
Shahmanesh-Banks test drives three ultimate city cars: Toyota Aygo, Peugeot
107 and Citroen C1
There's much profit to be made from the ultra-small, entry-level, city
car segment, which explains the birth of Toyota's Aygo, Peugeot's 107
and the Citroën C1. What marks these three cars unique is that they
are the result of the three car companies' collective creative and manufacturing
effort.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Following a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and
PSA Peugeot Citroën, announced in 2001, the Japanese giant and its
French partner set about planning the overall design strategy behind three
cars that were to be small in size, measuring no more than 3.4m, yet be
versatile enough to sit four adults comfortably. More crucially, the cars
that fit into all three carmaker's entry-level bracket, had to be a concentrated
package of quality, decent aesthetics, functionality and fun.
Although it was understood from the start that all three will carry their
own unique brand traits, limited funds and extreme platform sharing --
supplied by Toyota -- dictated that the overall shape of the cars as well
as some elements, namely the door frames and the windscreen, be the same.
With this brief in mind, the three design centres set to work with their
proposals for the overall shape. They then all met to discuss the initial
proposals, came to an agreement over the basic look, and went back to
the drawing board in their respective studios to personalise the cars.
Unusually, the three met regularly during the whole production process
to discuss ideas and check progress.
"Granted, the project involved a lot of shared parts, but we were
still able to develop three different cars," says Toyota design boss,
Wahei Hirai, "because each separate design centre worked on its own
model before fine tuning it during our group meetings, where we agreed
on the shared components."
Three musketeers
The cars fit beautifully into their respective families, yet at the same
time are undeniably sisters. Peugeot gave the 107 its pronounced, 'wide
mouth' grille, adjusting the size so to fit with the overall size of the
car, but clearly identifying it with the rest of Peugeot's portfolio.
Citroën designers went a little softer on the C1's face, reflecting
the more light hearted nature of the brand. Toyota infused a little of
what it phases as 'Vibrant Clarity', its new design language, onto the
Aygo. Interior-wise too, all three infused some of their own design traits
reflected mainly in the trim levels, as well as the steering wheel, to
the cars.
All models come in 3 or 5-door variants. The cars sports the most compact
exterior, with the Aygo (3405 mm long), 2.5 and 3cm shorter than the 107
and C1 respectively mainly due to the face design. Despite its petit exterior,
the cars are surprisingly roomy inside, which will set it apart from most
other cars in this segment.
The cars come powered by a brand new 3-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine,
12 valve, Euro-4 compliant, VVT-i system with 68 ps (50 kW) designed by
Toyota that can be paired with either a manual or 2 Tronic 5-speed gearbox.
The C1 and 107 are offered with a 4-cylinder, 8 valve, Euro 4 friendly,
HDi 55 diesel engine with common rail direct injection that offers 54
ps (40 kW). Designed by PSA, this engine comes exclusively with a manual
five-speed gearbox.
Toyota is offering its own 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engine from early 2006.
Multi-mode Manual Transmission (M-MT), Toyota's manual transmission driven
directly by electric motors, is available on the Aygo. The system has
automatic clutch operation and offers the choice of automatic mode and
manual mode to suit the driver's needs.
The A Segment cars are designed for European markets, where demand for
this type of entry-level vehicle is expected to increase. Both Peugeot
and Citroën are major players in Europe, where this kind of car has
a serious market. In the case of Toyota, though, Europe is Key to its
global strategy. Crucially, all these cars are designed and made for Europe
in Europe.
Developed on a common platform, all three cars have begun to roll off
the line at the Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile (TPCA) plant in
Kolín, Czech Republic since the beginning of 2005. Vehicle development
has proceeded on schedule, as announced by both companies in July 2001.
The plant will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles
with Toyota aiming at producing 100,000 Aygos a year. Total investment,
including research and development and production start-up costs, is estimated
at €1.5 bn ($1.8 bn).
Will the cars be hits? All three are being targeted at a broad section
of society that includes first time buyers who will be wooed because of
the low price and favourable tax bracket, and second car buyers who need
a nippy city car. Cheap, cheerful, visually fun, there will certainly
be a decent market for these three cars.
|
 |
June 2005
|
