VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURE

A vehicle body structure has a frame element extending forward a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle. A wheel is rotatably supported to the frame element. A bumper is attached to a front portion of the frame element. The bumper has a lateral side portion extending in an outboard direction relative to the frame element. A first support bracket extends from the frame element. A floating energy transmitting element is attached to the first support bracket at a location outboard of and spaced apart from the frame element, adjacent to but spaced apart from the bumper, and forward of and spaced apart from the wheel. In response to an impact event with the bumper being contacted by another object at a location outboard of the frame element, the floating energy transmitting element is contacted by the bumper and is moved rearward contacting the wheel.