Bodyshell components
136
Body
Introduction of the New E-Class, Model Series 212 Sedan
b
Doors
The door shells, including the side window frames,
incorporate an inner sheet steel shell with external
reinforcements (rolled profile and deep-drawn parts).
As in the current C-Class, the hinge-bearing panel is
separate from the inner shell. This makes it possible to
use a thicker panel to improve the distribution of
forces in the area of the hinge with only a low weight
penalty.
To improve the rigidity and strength of the doors, rein-
forcement profiles are welded on at the frames and at
the beltline. The deformation depth in side-on colli-
sions is reduced and dent resistance is improved by
two additional reinforcements which run diagonally
and in the longitudinal direction and which are spot-
welded and glued into the doors.
Rear end
In the new E-Class sedan the locations of the inde-
pendent multilink rear suspension, the fuel tank and
the spare tire well are similar to those in the prede-
cessor model. Nevertheless, the geometry of the body
structures at the rear end is different. This applies
particularly to the design of the structures in the
vicinity of the through-loading hole in the rear wall of
the passenger cell, the rear longitudinal members, the
spare tire well and the rear end assembly.
As in the predecessor model, a through-loading hole
was planned into the bodyshell from the start, and in
the W212 this equipment detail is offered as basic
equipment.
The fasteners for the backrest and for the hinges and
catches on the folding backrest (special equipment)
are mounted on an all-round support structure which
is welded to the inner shell of the side wall on both
sides and to the floor panel at the bottom, and is
clinched to the rear shelf at the top. This supporting
structure further improves the torsional strength of
the bodyshell.
To increase their strength, enhance their strain energy
and improve their deformation behavior, the multi-
part, high-strength steel rear longitudinal members
have a cross section which is closed along their entire
length with graduated sheet thicknesses, as in the
predecessor model.
The rear end assembly consists of a steel flexural
member with integral deformation zone.
Weight is optimized through the use of ultra high-
strength steel, which is flexibly rolled so that the areas
subject to the greatest loads are thicker than those
under lower stress.
For reasons of weight and corrosion protection,
plastic (glass fiber matting-reinforced thermoplastic)
is used for the spare wheel well as in the predecessor
model.
P72.00-2195-00
Driver door shell
1 Hinge-bearing panel
2 Window frame and beltline reinforcements
3 Diagonal and longitudinal reinforcement profiles
– This printout will not be recorded by the update service. Status: 01 / 2009 –
