The structure uses the engine compartment to efficiently absorb and disperse collision energy during a head-on vehicle-to-vehicle collision. It features a frame structure composed of a highly efficient energy-absorbing main frame, a bulkhead (upper frame) which absorbs the upper part of the collision energy, and a lower member that helps prevent misalignment of the frames of the vehicles involved. This design disperses collision forces over a larger frontal area, which enhances energy absorption of the engine compartment, reduces the chance of deformation of the passenger compartment and results in enhanced occupant protection. At the same time, the structure reduces the chance of vertical or lateral misalignment between the vehicle and other vehicle's safety structures.
During a frontal collision, a conventional body structure generally concentrates the loads from the impact through two pathways running longitudinally through the lower portion of the frame. The body structure’s front-mounted polygonal main frame is designed to prevent cabin deformation by distributing forces through multiple major load bearing pathways and away from the passenger compartment.
The overall result is a high level of bending and twisting rigidity for the body combined with enhanced crash-worthiness with no additional weight penalty.