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Monocoque 4X4s explained – Is this a good thing or not?

17 Jun 2024

Practical Motoring 6

The Monocoque Revolution: From the Mitsubishi Pajero to the New Land Rover Defender, what is the Impact and Debate Surrounding Monocoque 4X4s?

IN THE LATE 1990s, Mitsubishi introduced the Pajero NM, a model that caused quite a stir in the automotive world due to its innovative monocoque construction. This departure from the traditional body-on-frame design was a significant change for 4X4s and the Pajero NM became one of the first mainstream 4X4s to feature a monocoque design. Unlike the conventional body-on-frame structure, the Pajero NM’s body and frame were integrated into a single, unified structure.

Almost 20 years later, the new Land Rover Defender has also introduced a monocoque construction underneath. Is this worse than body-on-frame? Does it make the Defender and other monocoque four-wheel drives less competitive? Mostly, misconceptions about this design persist.

What’s the difference between Monocoque and body-on-frame?

Imagine a traditional house with a solid, heavy steel frame. The frame supports all the parts of the house—walls, roof, windows, and doors. This design is robust and durable, much like the body-on-frame construction in vehicles. However, the separate heavy frame and additional components make the house heavier and more complex to build and maintain.

Now, think of a modern skyscraper. In this structure, the exterior walls are not just coverings but also integral parts of the building’s support system. The entire structure, including the walls, floors, and roof, work together to bear loads. This method uses materials efficiently, reducing overall weight while maintaining strength and rigidity.

The Shift to Monocoque

Monocoque designs began appearing in 4X4s, leading to some confusion. A true monocoque structure relies almost entirely on its skin for strength, which isn’t practical for cars due to the likelihood of damage. Instead, most “monocoque” 4X4s use a reinforced chassis integrated with the body, known as unitary construction or unibody. This design combines the body and chassis into a single unit, offering greater rigidity and reduced weight.

Understanding Unibody 4X4s

The 2020 Land Rover Defender, for example, is a 100 per cent aluminium monocoque. This advanced material choice provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and durability. In practical terms, unibody vehicles can’t have their bodies easily swapped like separate-chassis vehicles because the body contributes to the vehicle’s strength and rigidity.

However, this doesn’t make them weak. Modern unibody vehicles have robust chassis and are often stronger than older separate-chassis designs. While the body contributes to overall rigidity, most strength still comes from the chassis. The design can handle minor damage without compromising the vehicle’s integrity.

Engineering Enhancements

Recent advances in computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA) have allowed engineers to optimise unibody structures to an unprecedented degree. Using these tools, manufacturers can predict how different parts of the body and chassis will respond to various stresses and strains, ensuring that the unibody is not only lighter but also more robust.

Additionally, modern manufacturing techniques like hot stamping and hydroforming allow for the creation of complex shapes and reinforcements within the unibody structure. These techniques improve the overall strength and safety of the vehicle, allowing for better performance in crash tests and more durability in off-road conditions.

Recovery and Practical Use

Concerns about using recovery points on unibody vehicles are largely unfounded. Properly designed unibody 4X4s have recovery points connected to the chassis, ensuring safe winching and snatching. Misusing recovery points, whether on unibody or separate-chassis vehicles, can cause damage.

Practical Benefits

Unibody construction also allows for better noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control, providing a more comfortable ride for passengers. The integrated design means fewer joints and connections that can rattle or transmit vibrations. Furthermore, the increased rigidity of the unibody structure improves handling and responsiveness, making modern 4X4s more agile on and off the road.

Versatility and Adaptability

Modern unibody 4X4s are designed with versatility in mind. The unibody framework supports advanced suspension systems, which can be tuned for various driving conditions, from smooth highway cruising to rugged off-road trails. The flexibility of the unibody design also allows manufacturers to incorporate the latest safety features, such as crumple zones, which help absorb impact energy and protect occupants in a collision.