223000285 - INTRODUCTION - PANELS AND FRAME (MY 2005)

The design of the vehicle gives it a unique personality with all the bodywork variants that respond to the multitude of different usages.At the front the grille and the headlamps are surrounded by plastic that protects against impacts at low speed.The side panel features the rounded shape of the windows in the front doors and the extensive rear glass which produce a sensation of light and brightness that contributes to driving comfort.The sliding side doors, the two rear asymmetrical doors or the tailgate do not alter the sense of harmony of the model but fit in naturally with the exterior design of the vehicle.Drag coefficienct (cx) 0.32

PASSIVE SAFETY

The main objective of the features adopted in terms of passive safety is to create a survival chamber which, in the case of an accident, offers the passengers effective protection.The bodyshell of the veihcle has been designed for controlled deformation in the case of front, side and rear impact and to absorb the energy developed by the impact without adversely affecting the vital spaces in the passenger compartment.

BENDING AND TORSIONAL STRENGTH

The high torsional and bending strength of the bodyshell guarantees the vehicle excellent passive resistance qualities producing a sensation of solidness and comfort when driving.These excellent values also guarantee that the original specifications of the bodyshell are maintained over a period of time and there are no structural weaknesses that could adversely affect safety.

Torsional rigidity.

VEHICLE TRIM LEVEL	daNm/rad
1. Stripped bodyshell + windscreen	88700
2. Like 1 + swing rear doors	98400
3. Like 2 + front doors	101900
4. Like 3 + sliding side doors	107300

Bending rigidity

VEHICLE TRIM LEVEL	daN/mm
1. Stripped bodyshell + windscreen	1500
2. Like 1 + swing rear doors	m
3. Like 2 + front doors	1620
4. Like 3 + sliding side doors	1890

RESISTANCE TO FRONT IMPACTS

The main operations to the bodyshell for resistance to front impacts involve:

• front crossmember
• crash-box
• bonnet retaining hooks
• reinforcements on struts
• reinforcements on front pillars

RESISTANCE TO FRONT IMPACTS

The vehicle comforms with front impact standard ECE R94 with the barrier offset in relation to the axis of the vehicle (cover of front section equal to 40%) at 56 Km/hIn this test checks are carried out on both structural measurements (made on the vehicle) and biomechanical ones (made on the occupant); the effects on the occupant are measured using special dummies.

Front crossmember

View of front crossmember with crash-box

Front crossmember

The front crossmember and the crash-box are a new feature in the range of group vehicles because the structural elements are integrated and fitted on the bodyshell using bolts.They have been designed to reduce repair costs following impacts at low speed.In the case of a front impact at 16 km/h with an offset barrier (front covering of the vehicle equal to 40%) only these two components are deformed.The particular shape of the crossmember and the material from which it is made (highly resistant steel) guarantee that with this type of impact there is the minimum intrusion protecting the mechanical components.

If the body is repaired, the structural reinforcements should always be replaced if deformed.