FRANKFURT: The Toyota Aygo might share the small format of cars like the Fiat Panda or VW Up, but this compact car is nevertheless showing off what it might look like as an off-roader in a newly unveiled concept from Toyota.
As if we needed any more evidence that the SUV wave is truly unstoppable, the crossover style is also spilling over into the subcompact segment in Toyota's new Aygo X Prologue concept.
Toyota is apparently considering modding its Aygo to look more like an SUV, despite being several measures smaller than the likes of Toyota's Land Cruiser or RAV4.
The Aygo X Prologue, unveiled in the automaker's design studio in Nice, is supposed to show how the next generation of urban runabout may bridge the way between city commutes and cross-country adventures.
Going by the concept's design, Toyota imagines future urban cars will have more pronounced wheel arches, larger wheels, two-tone paint finishes in the style of the Smart and more striking angles in the bodywork. There are also some striking add-on parts in black plastic and some roof rails.
So far, the Japanese maker has given as little information about the technology of the small concept as they have about its future prospects.
Given the cost of exhaust aftertreatment, competitors like VW no longer see a chance for this segment. But Toyota only confirmed a few days ago that they will remain loyal to the small car and develop a successor to the Aygo. This means that a series production release for Toyota's smallest SUV is also possible.
