Automakers are constantly looking for ways to meet the stringent crash safety regulations while meeting the contradictory role of reducing weight for fuel and environmental efficiencies. Today we feature just three of the many vehicles that are finding that balance with Advanced High-Strength Steels.
Next generation Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Motor announced that it has implemented its third-generation vehicle platform to the new generation 2020 Sonata. The new Sonata offers reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency while also achieving stronger durability with the new platform. The platform delivers a significant improvement in collision safety through the adoption of a multi-load path structure combined with hot stampedAdvanced High-Strength Steel. This sophisticated multi-load path structure increases the energy absorbed by the vehicle in a collision, improving safety with minimization of collision impact into the passenger cabin, thereby improving vehicle safety.
Innovations In Engineering – Hyundai Sonata from worldautosteel on Vimeo.
Volvo XC40 Advanced Safety with AHSS
A decade ago, the Volvo set an ambitious goal of zero fatalities by 2020. As 2020 has drawn near, Volvo updated their goal to say that no one should ever be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo vehicle. In the XC40, Volvo has increased the safety margin with Advanced High-Strength Steels. To help keep the occupant space intact in a crash, the XC40 has been made stronger in every sense through the use of Hot-Formed Boron steel in the safety cage, which is designed for maximum occupant protection in all types of crash scenarios. Hot-Formed steels comprise 20 percent of the total body weight in the XC40.
Innovations In Engineering – Volvo XC40 from worldautosteel on Vimeo.
Lightweighting for a Light Duty Truck, Ram 1500
According to Ram, the newly designed 1500 includes 54 percent Advanced High-Strength Steels in the truck bed and cab, and 98 percent in the frame. The Light Duty Truck is credited with a 225-lb/102-kg weight savings overall, along with 25 percent fuel economy and 20 percent towing capacity improvements. These were achieved while also lengthening the truck cab by a full 4 inches (10 cm). As the truck’s backbone, the frame uses Advanced High-Strength Steels and engineering to eliminate 100 pounds while increasing stiffness and durability for 12,750 lbs/5,800 kg of towing capability and 2,300 lbs/1040 kgs of payload.
Innovations In Engineering – Ram 1500 from worldautosteel on Vimeo.
See more stories about AHSS usage in new vehicles on our Steel Muscles in New Vehicles page.
Compiled from Hyundai Motors, Volvo and FCA press releases and B-Roll.