Self-Study Program

Body
30
Body Structure
The body of the Touareg is a completely
new, self-supporting construction. It is
designed to attain as much static and
dynamic rigidity as possible. To accomplish
this, special sheet metals are used:
• High-strength sheet metals:
These sheet metals, made of special
steel, are more stable than “normal”
sheet metals without causing an
increase in weight.
• Tailored blanks:
Sheet metals that have different
thicknesses depending on the loads
where they are used.
Instead of the usual ladder frame, the body
has integrated longitudinal load-bearing
members that run through the vehicle. In
the front and the rear, they are
manufactured from tailored blanks.
C-rails with fastening points for roof racks
are set into the roof.
There are cavities in the tailgate for the
gas-filled support struts.
For a seamless appearance, the roof
is connected to the side structure by
laser soldering.
In a self-supporting body,
the supporting framework
and the body structure form
an inseparable unit.