Engine bay packaging for crashworthiness performance.

This paper describes a qualitative technique for assessing the potential crashworthiness performance of vehicles in front impact. The technique is based on experience from accident data and crash tests of known features likely to result in a crashworthy vehicle. The technique is aimed primarily at guiding the concept and early design phases of a new vehicle. The application of the technique is limited to monocoque structures with front wheel drive and transversely mounted engines for passenger car type vehicles. The assessment process has been applied to numerous new vehicle studies, and confirmed by crash testing. (A)