Bumper: Description and Operation

63 - Bumper System










Key features of the proven bumper system have undergone further development and improvement. The area of the impact elements on the front bumper has undergone substantial modification. The objective of this modification was to increase protection for the body structure in the front of the vehicle at low impact speeds. This is important for a favorable insurance classification (comprehensive insurance).

Improvement in this area has been achieved through the use of new, energy absorbing impact elements with a stroke of 50 mm. These impact elements now consist of two tubes, one inserted into the other, instead of just one tube as was previously the case. At the same time they are now secured to the front body cross member using three threaded connections instead of two. As a result they are more resistant to oblique impact.

The outer, thicker walled tube is equipped with specially defined impressions. In a crash, the inner tube is pushed into the outer one. In doing so it must "push past" the impressions which form a star-shaped narrowing. This process reduces energy and therefore also minimizes intrusion into the front body structure of the vehicle.

In addition to the impact element, the cross member in the front bumper has also been reinforced. This provides for improved crash characteristics. A seal (2) is installed between the impact element (1) and the body (3). The bumper(4) is screwed to the impact element from above.







The rear bumper concept has been adopted from the previous Boxster/S (986) models and adapted to the new rear section.










Similar to before, the towing lug which is supplied with the tool kit is screwed into the front or rear cross member in the bumper when required. The thread cover now works like a small rocker switch and can be removed without any tools, simply by pressing in the bottom half.