Porsche Cayenne/Volkswagen Touareg Share More Than Platforms

Volkswagen Touareg



Porsche Cayenne

The global automotive community reacted with delightful surprise when Porsche and Volkswagen announced that they would launch an SUV that would share the same platform. These recent additions to the world of SUVs share something else—high strength steel applications.

Porsche states that its ongoing development of lightweight steel design was one of the crucial factors in the enhanced passive safety and unparalleled rigidity of the Cayenne body.

The Cayenne/Touareg shell itself uses a triple-skin structure with a robust three-box section. The laser-welded and bonded construction provides exceptional rigidity and occupant protection, particularly in the all-important roof and pillar area.

A system of side and cross-members at the front of the car helps to channel impact energy in a carefully controlled manner. Energy is absorbed by a three-tier deformation zone that shields the passenger cell.

In areas with only limited capacity for deformation, the interior is protected by high-tensile steel reinforcements, including side intrusion beams in each of the doors.

One of the special features of the Cayenne model range is its innovative use of multi-phase steels. With their unique combination of exceptional rigidity and consistent deformation properties, these highly versatile alloys fulfill two key safety requirements.

As on the 911 and Boxster, the Cayenne/Touareg models use a system of tailored blanks to achieve optimum impact protection. The strength of these elements helps to maximize resilience, particularly on the side members and roof rails.