Vehicle Design

Vehicle Design

The body

The Range Rover Sport's body is manufactured like a conventional monocoque. Two monosides are welded to the floor, roof and bulkheads, creating a strong, single structure. Significant use is made of high-strength steels. Ultra high strength steel is used for the A and B-pillars, for added strength in front and side impacts. The roof structure can accommodate a roof opening panel. When a sunroof is not fitted, the outer roof panel is a single large steel pressing with styled swages to add strength and prevent booming.

The safety of the driver and the passengers is paramount for every body design. There are two key safety aspects in the body:
- Safety passenger cell
- Crumple zones

Safety passenger cell

- Stable pillars, rocker panel and door profiles.
- Side impact protection in the doors.
- Doors are designed to open even in the event of extreme deformation.

Crumple zone

- Dynamic absorption of deforming forces.
- Protection of the passenger cell.

Integral body frame
- The extremely stable integral body frame forms the base to which the body is bolted to and the vehicle components like the axles, engine etc, are attached. The integral body frame is made from DD11 (BS1449) mild steel. If necessary the body can be removed from the integral body frame to ease repairs.

Vehicle design