Why do people insist on saying they're a "crumple zone"? Because their mate done the bodyshop (those well known luminaries of body in white design, who are such brilliant engineers they're too good to work for OEMs) has told them? If so, they're wrong.

How do I know? I'm a BIW engineer.

Let me ask this: if a crumple zone was required for improved occupant safety if the event of a crash, why would it be located in the cabin area where localized deformation of the shell (the front floor/lower bulkhead area) would most likely increase injury?