Vehicle frame assembly

A vehicle frame assembly comprising:

• a first structural node;
• a second structural node;
• a longitudinally extending roof side rail having an end portion connected to the first structural node;
• a laterally extending rear roof rail having an end portion connected to the first structural node;
• a laterally extending rear cabin panel connected to the second structural node;
• an upper outer member extending substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and having first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes;
• an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member and having a first end portion connected to the first structural node and a second end portion connected to the rear cabin panel;
• a longitudinally extending rear quarter upper rail having a first end portion connected the first structural node and a second end portion;
• and
• a longitudinally extending rear quarter lower rail having a first end portion connected to the second structural node and a second end portion connected to the second end portion of the rear quarter upper rail,
• wherein the first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a structural pillar, and the structural pillar defines a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members, and
• wherein the first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer member and the rear quarter upper and lower rails together define a second triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute the roof crush load from the first structural node to the rear quarter upper and lower rails.