100 BODY—LIGHTWEIGHT & HIGHLY RIGID BODY

BODY

LIGHTWEIGHT & HIGHLY RIGID BODY

The body shell structure offers the seemingly opposing characteristics of being lightweight and highly rigid at high levels.
The body also provides world–class crash safety performance through an excellent front/rear collision impact absorbing
structure and the adoption of a side collision impact absorbing structure.

 HIGH STRENGTH SHEET STEEL

Lightweight and highly rigid high strength sheet steel is used for the engine hood, door panels, luggage compartment
door and members.
 BODY—LIGHTWEIGHT & HIGHLY RIGID BODY 101

 BODY SHELL
 In addition to revising the construction of various joining and attaching areas of the body to increase their rigidity,
a more balanced material allocation, sheet thickness, and joining structure produces low noise and vibration levels
in the body shell.

 Along with the integration of the side member outer panel and quarter panel, a laser–welded side member inner
panel has been adopted to improve the panel precision and joining rigidity.
102 BODY—LIGHTWEIGHT & HIGHLY RIGID BODY

 IMPACT ABSORBING STRUCTURE

 In conjunction with the revision made to the crash impact absorbing structure for a front/rear collision, the crash
spaces at the front and rear of the vehicle have been enlarged to provide an effective energy absorbing structure.
Large reinforcements are also provided at the joint between the front body and cabin and at the rear floor side
member to minimize the deformation of the cabin interior in case of a collision.

 An impact absorbing structure for side collisions has been newly adopted to comply with the new FMVSS214
regulations (for protection of passengers against side collisions).
This structure offers an effective allocation of frame materials to smoothly dissipate the side impact energy
throughout the cabin.
The front doors are also provided with impact absorbing materials such as gussets and energy absorbing pads.

Impact Absorbing Structure for Front/Rear Collision

Impact Absorbing Structure for Side Collision