The prize for the least surprising announcement of the day goes to Toyota. That’s not to say that the number one Japanese carmaker has done anything wrong. It’s just that, after Peugeot and Citroen revealed their updated 107 and C1 respectively, it was only a matter of time before Toyota presented the 2012 version of its jointly-developed and built Aygo city car.

Like its French siblings, this is the second time the Aygo receives a facelift, with the first being at the end of 2008, three years after its initial launch.

For 2012, the Aygo gets a redesigned front end that brings it closer to the family look established by models like the Prius and the new Yaris. Changes include a revised front bumper sporting a larger air intake and LED daytime running lights, darker-tinted rear windows and newly designed wheels.

In the interior, the dashboard has gained a new dark grey finish while Toyota claims to have reduced the noise levels.

There’s also a newly-design steering wheel with paddles for the MultiMode auto transmission-equipped models, new grey, orange or black surrounds for the speedo, tachometer and air vents, plus an optional audio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

The Aygo’s gets the same revised 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine as the two French models. Output remains unchanged at 68HP and 93Nm, but emissions drop from the previous version’s 105 to just 99 g/km while average fuel consumption is also reduced, from 61.3 to 65.7 mpg UK (4.6 to 4.3 lt/100 km).

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