In the event of a side - impact collision, the specially
designed floor assembly ensures a controlled transfer of forces acting on the car to the opposite side of the body.
This precursor to the E-Class was the world's first car to feature a crash -
stable floor assembly, which enhanced occupant safety in the event of a frontal or side impact.
This was the result of a large contact area between the longitudinal members and
the floor assembly, numerous cross-members in the front and rear of the body and between the A-pillars and the use of a multi-part floor assembly with a central tunnel and side members in thick sheet steel.
In a frontal collision its shape diverted the impact forces to optimum effect — its curved outer edges formed a direct connection between the front longitudinal members, the inner connecting members in
the floor assembly and the outer longitudinal members in the door sills.
Each electric motor is controlled by its own power electronics located in close proximity to the electric motors in
the floor assembly.
It likewise braces
the floor assembly and is able to channel impact forces into the floor structure at an early stage following a side - on collision.
As you can probably judge from the pictures, the F100 concept was designed as a MVP - style vehicle which used a sandwich -
floor assembly that lacked the B - pillars.
By contrast, the rear section of
the floor assembly, the doors and the rear lid of the TTS are made from steel.
The energy picture within the crawlspace is radiation dominated —
the floor assembly surfaces are in essence radiation coupled to the ground.
Even so, the bolt connections bridge right through
the floor assembly.
Essentially, the answer comes down to the choice of
the floor assembly.
The rigid insulation protects
the floor assembly from the condensation.