–
The new Skoda Octavia, which has obtained the maximum score of five stars in the Euro NCAP test, is one of the safest vehicles in its category thanks to, among other things, an intelligent material concept
Modern cars have to combine a large number of different, partly opposite, properties. They must be light and inexpensive and consume little. At the same time, the desire of passengers to achieve greater comfort and safety on board requires increased strength and rigidity of the body. For the fourth generation of the Octavia, Skoda uses an intelligent material concept and high-strength steels, which allows it to successfully combine profitability and efficiency with a high level of comfort and optimal passenger protection . The score of five stars in the Euro NCAP test awarded to the new edition of the brand’s bestseller is the result of a fruitful collaboration of different development departments from the fields of design, concepts, numerical simulations, construction and control.
Reduced weight and increased safety thanks to the high share of high-strength steels
The exceptional body strength of the new Octavia is largely due to the high share of high-strength steels. While the pressed steel is only present at 26.3% and mainly for the surface elements, 20.6% of the body is made of hot formed steel of very high resistance. It is up to seven times stronger than traditional stamped steels. During the parts manufacturing process, it is heated to around 950 degrees Celsius before being pressed. While still in the mold, it is then cooled in a controlled fashion in 5.5 seconds to 180 degrees Celsius. Due to their particularly high resistance, the parts thus produced can be thinner and lighter, also at the level of the lateral and frontal collision structures.
Different sheet thicknesses thanks to the Tailor Rolled Blank
Tailor Rolled Blank technology was first used in the Volkswagen group in 2004 for the Skoda Octavia II. The combination of Tailor Rolled Blank and hot molding was used for the first time for the Octavia III. Until then, the combination of these manufacturing processes was not technically possible. The Tailor Rolled Blank makes it possible to manufacture components with a variable sheet thickness. In this regard, the pieces are thicker only where necessary for stability. In the new Octavia, this technology is used, for example, for the production of A and B-pillars. In many places that are also in demand, the Czech automaker relies on multiphase steel (biphase steel), which has high mechanical consolidation after the forming process. In this way, it is very stretchy while being very resistant. In the Octavia, it is used for the first time also for the surface of the boot lid. Multiphase steel and ultra high yield strength together account for almost 14% of the body weight. The use of innovative materials and the most modern calculation methods, such as topology optimization, allow constant optimization of the body properties. For the fourth generation of the Octavia, Skoda has achieved even greater dynamic torsional strength compared to the previous model. The result: even higher comfort for passengers.
Awareness campaign
First and foremost a citizen, the site supports its articles with a reminder of the basic gestures to follow to avoid the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus). And don’t forget to limit your trips as much as possible and stay at home.
– –
