that CRUMPLE ZONE is a frame rail BENDING to remove G LOAD...
then the ENGINE is the structural component protecting his feet,which gets driven BACK and down..to protect the occupants,by being one of the HARDEST things in the car

Not a very good crumple zone.. look as the frame starts to crumple right around where the drivers feet would be.

Why is this up here? Dang, look at all that airbag dust.