Body Structure

BODY STRUCTURE ELIGHTWEIGHT AND HIGHLY RIGID BODY

Body Structure

Lightweight and Highly Rigid Body

1. High Strength Sheet Steel





High strength sheet steel is used as shown in the following illustration in order to achieve a lightweight body.

2. Body Shell





The configuration and structure of the joints and reinforcements have been optimized as follows to realize excellent body rigidity:

(1) Inner reinforcements are provided at the front upper corners.

(2) Rain gutter outer reinforcements are provided between the front and rear pillars.

(3) The inner panels have been extended to the lower end of the rocker panels.

(4) The rocker panel reinforcements have been reinforced.

(5) The rear pillar reinforcements have been extended to the lower end of the rocker panels.

(6) Reinforcements that allow for installation of the rear seat belts are provided.

(7) The joints at the rear upper corners of the roof have been reinforced.

(8) The joints between the roof reinforcement and side member have been reinforced.

(9) High tensile strength sheet steel is used for the side members.

3. Frame





^ Front suspension member brackets have been adopted for the frame No. 3 cross member to provide excellent drivability.

^ The wall thickness of the side rails has been increased and rear inner channel reinforcements have been adopted to ensure frame stiffness.