General information about the body

1. For all models, the body and its lower frame part are all-welded steel construction. There are special crumple zones at the front and rear of the body designed to absorb energy in a collision. Its middle part forms a rigid cell, which ensures safety in case of an accident.

2. The partition of the engine compartment has special corrugations to absorb energy in a collision and special reinforcement in the form of rods to prevent the front wheels from entering the vehicle interior in a serious accident. All doors have impact absorbing beams.

3. All sheet metal surfaces subject to corrosion are zinc coated. The stone-impact-resistant paint coat contains a primer that adheres well to the top coat.

4. All models are equipped with seat belts with automatic tensioners, and special automatic tensioners are installed on the front seat belt buckles (also called grips). In the event of a hard impact from the front, the sensor releases the coil spring, which, by tightening the belt buckle, tightens the belt. After operation, such a tensioner cannot be restored, and therefore it must be replaced. On production models up to 1996, the mechanism is driven by an inertial sensor and a spring (see fig. 1.4). In this case, it is theoretically possible that the tensioners can work independently of the airbag. On models since 1997, the pretensioners are fired by a fuse similar to an airbag fuse, and the power supply circuit for the pretensioner fuse is included in the airbag control circuit.



5. All models sold in the UK have a central locking system fitted as standard (see fig. 1.5). Only as custom equipment, such a system is installed on certain models sold in other countries. Models that have a padlock on each door cannot be opened using the inside door handle (during the operation of the double locking system). Since none of the doors and the boot lid/tailgate can be opened from the inside, even if the thief breaks the glass, he will not be able to open the door with the inside handle. Models equipped with this locking system have a control module installed under the front panel on the right. In the event of a serious accident, the collision sensor issues a signal to unlock all doors that have been locked.




6. Many of the operations described in this chapter require the battery to be disconnected. See chapter 5 paragraph 1.