2016 Civic structure employs ‘first’ partial in-die soft zones

The 2016 Honda Civic employs selectively-tempered in-die “soft zone” technology in the B-pillars and rear frame rails, allowing zones within a single frame piece to have more ductile properties than the surrounding ultra-high-strength hot-stamped steel. The technology minimizes parts count and saves 15.6 lb (7 kg) compared to the previous-generation Civic.

“Our method of application for this [in the rear frame rail] is a world's first,” according to Ryan Miller, Performance Development Leader for the 2016 Civic. “Full-band soft zones [such as in the B-pillar] have been done before on a few other cars, but what we've done that's unique is we've created partial soft zones; this is much more difficult to do.”