2013 The new Auris Touring Sports DPL: Enhanced driving dynamics and safety

Reinforcing Toyota's commitment to improving the dynamic abilities of its vehicles, the Auris Touring Sports benefits from all the improvements made to the new Auris Hatchback. Enhancements to its bodyshell rigidity, suspension, steering, driving position and NVH characteristics offer drivers a more comfortable and engaging driving experience.

New bracing and reinforcements to the underbody, and front and rear structures have increased body rigidity. The extensive use of high tensile steel in the bodyshell construction has helped to minimise the vehicle's overall weight.

Especially for the Auris Touring Sports, the rear opening frame rigidity has been designed to deliver a torsional rigidity comparable with hatchback - through reinforcing the body around the tail gate opening as an example — even though the body is longer and the tail gate opening is wider.

In addition, reducing the Auris model range's overall height by 55 mm, ground clearance by 10 mm and the height of the new front seats by 40 mm has lowered the vehicle's centre of gravity, benefitting the Auris Touring Sports' high speed stability and cornering agility. The lowered centre of gravity also allows for a reduction in spring rates for greater ride comfort.

Numerous components of the front MacPherson strut suspension have been revised, including the design of the upper support, bound stopper, coil spring and shock absorber. The spring rate has been reduced and the shock absorbers fine-tuned to combine ride comfort with superior stability and excellent steering response.

1.33 litre petrol and 1.4 litre diesel engine models feature torsion beam rear suspension, whilst 1.6 litre petrol, 2.0 litre diesel and full hybrid models are fitted with a double wishbone system to the rear.

The Electric Power Steering (EPS) itself has been tuned in order to enhance feeling and driving precision. The steering column benefits from a more rigid attachment to ensure a linear steering feel, a new EPS control suppresses changes in steering force for improved linearity and a high gear ratio provides greater steering response. In all, these revisions equip the EPS with more directness, better feedback and quicker turn for greater vehicle agility.

Extensive NVH measures ensure that the new Auris Touring Sports not only offers a comfortable ride, but is also quiet. Comprehensive soundproofing within the engine bay, front wheel arches and dashboard has minimised both engine and road noise within the cabin.

Illustrating Toyota's continued commitment to develop new cars to the highest safety standards, the new Toyota Auris Touring Sports has been awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating under the new, tougher Euro NCAP programme for 2013.

Equipped with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and an emergency brake signal function, the new Auris is also equipped with driver and front passenger, knee, side and curtain shield SRS airbags.

The use of a variety of energy absorbing components including a bumper support and a lower tray that helps to minimise collision energy has allowed the optimisation of pedestrian impact performance and also meets the designer's intention to deliver sleek side silhouette.