Freelander - Side impact
The strength to protect
Techniques similar to those used to develop Freelander's frontal crash performance were also used to hone the side and rear crash structures.
Side impact: advanced door beams and latches
Side impact protection is excellent, with reinforced sills at a height where most impacts would occur in a side-on crash.
The sturdy side intrusion beams are at a slight diagonal, to allow them to react into the strong, reinforced vertical posts which frame the cabin, and protect against higher impacts.
The door latches are two and a half times stronger than legally required, ensuring that the doors form an integral part of the crash mechanisms.
Rollover
Freelander's low centre of gravity makes it less susceptible to rollover accidents. It has been tested to and complies with the stringent North American dynamic rollover legislation.
Steering Rack
The steering rack is positioned behind and above the front axle to reduce the risk of intrusion into the cabin in a forward impact. The lower steering column link is hinged to fold under, and the top mounting bracket deforms forward to reduce transfer of the crash impact forces.
Insurance Group rating
Freelander has an extremely competitive insurance group. In calculating insurance group rating, the Association of British Insurers allocates 60% of the points system to the cost of repair based on a 9.5 mph offset barrier crash front and rear, carried out at the Thatcham Research Centre.
Minimising repair costs
To minimise the cost of repair, the design of Freelander's front and rear body sections has been developed from extensive computer modelling and simulation, to ensure that damage is confined to the bumper system.
The design of panels, swage patterns and welding locations ensures that damage insufficient to warrant an insurance claim can be repaired at a minimum cost to the owner. Access is provided via apertures in the inner panel, to the side doors, bodyside, bonnet, tail-door and rear quarters for the removal of minor dents using a spatula dolly/spoons, avoiding the expense of filler and paint removal.
Headlamps and sidelight lenses are made from polycarbonate, which has exceptionally good impact resistance qualities.
The Benefits
- Advanced levels of side impact and rollover safety.
- Minimised repair costs for minor knocks
- Low insurance group rating.
