Mercedes-Benz E-Class Series 207 Service Manual page 121

Bodyshell
Passenger cell
The core of the body safety concept is the high-
strength passenger cell in the form of a safety cage.
Its high strength is primarily due to:
• The increased use of high-strength and ultra high-
strength sheet steel and panels with graduated
wall thicknesses
• Specially selected materials and sheet thicknesses
for components and structural zones that are
susceptible to heavy loads in accidents
• The optimized shapes and cross sections
• An additional rear seat crossmember to
compensate for the lack of an upper B-pillar
Rear end
The through-loading hole is part of the body shell.
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.
The rear end assembly consists of a steel flexural
member with integral deformation zone.
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Introduction of the New E-Class Coupé, Model Series 207
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Side wall
The outer panel of the side wall is a single part. The
cross sections of the A, B and C-pillars, side
longitudinal member and roof frame lend strength
and rigidity to the outer and inner side wall
assembly. All load-bearing parts have additional
sheet metal reinforcements welded in, which in the
A, B and C-pillars extend for their entire length.
High-strength tubes are integrated in the A-pillars
for reinforcement.
Doors
To improve the rigidity and strength of the doors,
reinforcements 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
an additional reinforcement which runs in the longi-
tudinal direction and which is spot-welded and
glued into the doors.
Driver door shell
1 Frame and beltline reinforcements
2 Reinforcement profile
P72.00-2198-00