Aurion: The chassis

CONSIDERING Aurion is built off the same global Toyota platform as the Camry, it should come as no surprise that the two vehicles have much in common on the chassis front.

The Aurion is a heavier vehicle, in the order of 175kg considering that the AT-X has a 1590kg kerb weight and the Camry Altise weighs in at 1415kg.

Aurion has the same "coil over" all-strut suspension package, with MacPherson struts with wide-based L-shaped lower arms at the front and dual transverse links at the rear.

Suspension highlights such as multi-leaf/multi-disc linear control piston valves in the dampers and a visco-elastic oil seal at the top of the damper body also carry over.

As with Camry, the Aurion’s body structure makes "extensive" use of lightweight high-strength steel, and includes anti-vibration sub-frames front and rear and a reinforcing cowl front panel designed to increase rigidity across the front suspension towers.

All Aurion models have the large V-shaped brace located behind the rear seat – as seen on Camry Sportivo – which links the rear suspension towers and the floor. (It also rules out a split-fold rear seat.)

Underbody bracing found on Camry Sportivo is also used on Aurion Sportivo.

Similarly, all Altona-built Sportivo models have in-built rebound springs in the rear damper units, which are designed to provide a flatter ride during cornering.

Spring, damper and rear stabiliser bar settings have all been tweaked on Sportivo.

"Nachlauf" steering geometry is used, which locates the kingpin axis ahead of the axle centre, aiming to optimise straight-line stability and steering feel.

Aurion rests on the same 2775mm wheelbase as the Camry and has the same front (1575mm) and rear (1565mm) track dimensions.

The two vehicles also have braking hardware in common – disc brakes at each corner, measuring 296 x 28mm (and ventilated) at the front, and 286 x 10mm at the rear. Single-piston callipers are used front and rear. The standard ABS is a four-channel, four-sensor Bosch 5.3 system The AT-X and Prodigy both have a 16-inch wheel and (Dunlop) tyre combination (steel on the base model, alloy elsewhere) with 6.5J x 16 rims and 215/60 R16 tyres. The two Sportivos and Presara go up an inch, resting on 7.0J x 17 rims and 215/55 R17 Michelin rubber.

The detail:
Overall length:	4825mm
Overall width:	1820mm
Overall height:	1470mm
Wheelbase:	2775mm
Front track:	1575mm
Rear track:	1565mm
Ground clearance:	146mm
Kerb weight:	1590kg
Turning circle:	11.6m