Car Body Design
The XC90 is based on a passenger car chassis with unitary construction. This gives a low center of gravity, ensuring good directional stability and countering any tendency to roll over.
The shape of the XC90 body is based on the same basic design as the V70 body. Front and rear crumple zones absorb collision forces. The passenger compartment has a safety cage in which the door sills, posts, cantrails and doors are reinforced.
An aluminum member is spot-welded and screwed into place between the ends of the front side members. Steel plugs have been pressed into the aluminum member so that it can be welded into place.
The members in the front and rear doors form an important part of the reinforcement of the passenger compartment. The members are manufactured of boron steel.
Body with extremely high torsional rigidity.
A rigid body has a positive impact on active safety, sound level and collision safety (particularly in the event of side impacts).
There are two types of chassis applications, soft (USA) and hard (EU).