BODY STRUCTURE


  1. OUTLINE


    1. Lightweight and Highly Rigid Body


      1. Using Hot-stamped sheet steel, high-strength sheet steel, ultra high-strength sheet steel, and extensive aluminum component both reduces weight and ensures rigidity together with an optimized frame joint structure and optimal positioning of reinforcement members.

    2. Safety Features


      1. The body a structure that can distribute energy to many members to increase absorption of the collision energy and a high strength framework that can control the deformation of the cabin and help secure sufficient survival space.

      2. The impact energy-absorbing construction have been adopted in consideration of pedestrian protection.

    3. Rust-resistant Body


      1. Rust-resistance performance is enhanced due to extensive use of anti-corrosion sheet steel, as well as by anti-corrosion treatment that includes the application of anti-rust wax, sealer and anti-chipping paint to easily corroded parts such as the rocker panels.

    4. Low Vibration and Low Noise Body


      1. Effective application of vibration damping and noise suppressant materials reduces engine, wind and road noise.

      2. By connecting braces and reinforcements to the body panels, panel vibration has been reduced. Changes in the structure of body panels reduces panel vibration. A body structure which reduces body panel frame movement ensures low noise levels.

    5. Aerodynamics


      1. Leveling off the surface where the front body pillar meets the windshield and smoothing the shape around the doors, front and rear bumper are effective in reducing flow separation.

      2. Various types of airflow routing parts are control airflow are provided under the floor, and an under cover is provided to make the under body flat in order to ensure excellent aerodynamic performance.

  2. MAIN FEATURES


    1. Exterior design concept


      1. "Sensual - Smart" CONFIDENCE

        The King of Sedan delivers an abundance of confidence through sensual athleticism and intellectual refinement.


        • An above-class driving dynamics and a high status feel.

        • Unique cabin that's both practical and stylish.

        • Front and rear design that are both sporty yet suggestive of high status quality.

    2. Three specific objectives


      1. An above-class driving dynamics and a high status feel.

        By taking advantage of the new platform, an above-class low center of gravity and wide stance that expresses confidence as the King of Sedans with a combination of driving dynamics and a high status feel.

      2. Unique cabin that's both practical and stylish.

        The design seeks to deliver both best-in-class roominess and a flowing, stylish cabin that compares favorably to coupe-like silhouette. This unique approach to the cabin design will satisfy the expectations of a broad range of customers.

      3. Front and rear design that are both sporty yet suggestive of high status quality.

        For the front and rear, the sporty feel created by its wide stance and the constructional that emphasizes stability express a high status feel.

        The front combines a agile sportiness evoked by its thin upper portion and a substantial lower grille that highlights its high status feel. This enables it to exude individuality that stands out, even from a distance.

    3. Low center of gravity and wide stance to evoke an above class driving dynamics and high-status feel


      1. Low center of gravity


        1. The design gives expressing a greater emphasis to the tires by adopting a low hood and fenders as well as a low belt line that seems to pull the cabin down into the body. In addition, the impression that the body's mass, which flows longitudinally through the vehicle, sits lower than the front tires creates the appearance of an even lower center of gravity.

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        2. The styling theme presents a mass that integrates the cabin and body around the front and rear tires. By further emphasizing the vehicle's dynamic sportiness and low rocker panels, the effect is to achieve a(dynamic) low center of gravity feel.

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      2. Wide stance


        1. The wheel flare area expresses the vehicle's distinctive, cylindrical shape integrates with the body. Additionally, the full width of the vehicle has been used to the maximum effect to highlight the wide stance body.

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        2. The contrast between to the tapered appearance of the rear half of the cabin, and the three-dimensional shape of the bumper corners that envelop the center of the bumper emphasize the relative width of the underbody and the vehicle's excellent stance.

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          *a Tapered rear half of cabin *b Emphasis of the wide stance with a design that seems to envelop the rear bumper from the sides

    4. Unique cabin that's both practical yet stylish


      1. The overall proportion express a sense of flow while ensuring occupant comfort by extending the end of the roof toward the rear while lowering the seating positions and total height. Instead of using extended side windows (see inserted figure), which are often used by competitors to convey a sense of flow, compact side windows that fit within the wheelbase have been used to express sportiness. The combination of a long roof and compact side windows is designed to provide the cabin with a new appearance that differs from other stylish sedans.

      2. The quarter pillars and shoulders have been given lines that flow through backwards toward the rear, complementing the cabin silhouette, which ensures adequate head clearance for rear-seat occupants. The effect is to create an optical illusion that gives the entire cabin the appearance of flowing toward the rear of the vehicle, delivering both practicality and a beautifully stylish appearance.

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        *a Shape to ensure adequate rear-seat head clearance - -

    5. Front and rear profiles that are both sporty and suggestive of high status


      1. Front profile


        1. The agile impression of the upper area is constructed with:

          (A) The upper grille that emphasizes the TOYOTA emblem (mark) in the center and

          (B) Thin, slit-shaped headlights that continue from it.

          This added an advanced, sporty impression. For the lower area, a construction that consists of a large trapezoidal lower grille that is powerfully sandwiched by the bumper side corners from both sides emphasizes the stance of the front of the tire and expresses under priority*1, consequently achieving an evolved keen look*2.

          Tech Tips

          *1: A front design with an enlarged opening and an assertive under grille design, based on technical theories to enhance aerodynamic, cooling and pedestrian protection performance.

          *2: The Toyota exclusive front design theme that gives a bright, intelligent and clearly distinctive impression in combination with dynamic "Under priority".

        2. The upward-facing surfaces of the lower edge of the bumper corners flow from the rocker panels, further emphasizing the low center of gravity relative to the agile looking upper area.

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          *a Light, top part of the front profile *b Emphasis of the wide stance in front of the tires
          *c Emphasis of the low center of gravity with surface that flow from the rocker panels - -

        3. The low hood and lower edge of the bumper with the wide lower grille express a "Wide and Low" sportiness, the thick, trapezoidal lower grille has a large aperture that adds a sporty look while expressing a high status feel with a.

          The horizontal bars inside the lower grille are designed to suggest a shape that has been bold stance that exudes confidence meticulously carved, highlighting its presence as the King of Sedans and evoking an advanced feel with painstaking craftsmanship.

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          *a Wide and low stance - -

      2. Rear Design


        1. The rear profile embodies a clear contrast between the cabin, which is tapered toward the rear, and the broad, protruding shoulders, creating a stable stance in which the cabin has been placed securely atop the body.

          The look contrasts with the proportions of the current model, which uses up its width to the maximum.

          This creates a feeling of stability in its stance that's worth of premium-class vehicle.

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          *a Stable stance in which the cabin sits securely atop the body *b Broad, protruding shoulders

    6. A sporty expression that highlights the image of enhanced driving dynamics and a low center of gravity look (Sporty Models)


      1. The normal model presents a stance with a low center of gravity look with a construction where the corners of the bumper embrace the trapezoidal lower grille in front of the tires. The sport model further emphasizes sportiness with three openings at the upper grille and bumper corners that protrude in a three-dimensional manner.

      2. The design moves the openings at the bumper corners towards the outermost edge of the bumper and joins with the bottom part that conveys a sense of continuation from the rocker panels in order to highlight the vehicle's wide, low stance and low center of gravity look.

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        *a Maximizing the vehicle's wide stance with corner openings that have been moved to the outermost edge of the bumper *b Emphasizing sporty driving with three openings that protrude three-dimensionally
        *c Accentuating the low center of gravity through continuity with the side rocker panels - -

    7. Headlights


      1. The headlights consists of a volume flat continues from the thin upper grille, and with the chrome-plated ornamentation that emphasize the flow from the inside toward the outside and the functional layout of two-lens type headlights, the aim is to convey a vigorous yet simple impression. Inclusion of details such as evoking the design of a heat sink suggests parts have been meticulously designed in a way that suits the vehicle's high status feel.

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        *a Visual cues that repeat from the inside toward the outside emphasize the wide look of the top part. *b

        Design details that evoke a heat sink

        - Appearance that suggests meticulous design

      2. High Grade


        • To further emphasize a high status feel and wide stance that befit a high grade vehicle, the design uses daytime running lights with solid lenses that appear to have depth and that repeat at a regular interval toward the outside of the vehicle along with line-type LED turn signals. This design highlights the functional enhancements to the lights relative to the base grade with a distinctive and meticulously detailed quality.

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          *a Solid lenses create a sense of depth and high quality. *b Layers that repeat at a regular interval emphasize the headlights extending toward the outside of the vehicle.

    8. Rear Combination Light


      1. Outer lens graphics continue from the character line of the rear bumper corner edge. This emphasizes width as part of the large rear fender volume.

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        *a High Grade *b Base Grade

    9. Aerodynamic initiatives


      1. Some of the most ambitious aerodynamic objectives of any sedan with distinctive styling have been achieved.

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        *a Hood shape that optimizes the flow of air toward the rear of the vehicle *b Aero Stabilizing Fins on the front of the side windows
        *c Garnish on the side window front most area and airflow rectifying garnish mounted on the inner front pillar minimize gaps between parts. *d The cabin silhouette has been shaped so as to optimize the flow of air from the roof to the trunk.
        *e Aero Stabilizing Fins on the sides of the rear combination lights *f Rear corner edges shaped to keep air flowing to the rear from creating vortices.
        *g Shape of the spoiler on the bottom of the bumper to optimize airflow from the bottom of the vehicle - -

      2. Sporty Models


        • The bumper corner garnish, which conveys an image of an air outlet, continues from the bottom of the rear combination light. This further emphasizes width and sportiness compared to the normal model. The normal model aerodynamic shape is utilized to create an even more distinctive look.

        • Shape surrounding the upper grille, which is designed to rectify the flow of air over the vehicle.

        • The shape of the fins on the bottom of the rear bumper, which appears to flow seamlessly from the shape of the rocker panels, and the airflow-rectifying spoiler at the bottom of the bumper, not only improves its aerodynamic performance, but also gives the vehicle the appearance of having an even lower center of gravity.

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          *a Corner garnish (no opening) *b Shape surrounding the upper grille, which is designed to rectify the flow of air over the vehicle
          *c Fin shaped to suggest continuity with the rocker panel *d Airflow-rectifying spoiler
          B0082XT Path of airflow - -