Topic says it all... what is it? Does it stiffen up the sheet metal or something? I think it probably makes the floor flat, but why not use the space?

 

Thats what it looks like to me also. A space filler to make the floor flat so the spare sits better. Maybe the deep tire well that it fills could be used for a full size spare tho with the rest of the parts in there obviously the FS spare wouldnt fit. I took all that stuff out back there and used it for subs and amps

 

It acts as a space filler, insulation from noise and temp, keeps the spare from bouncing around. take the spare out and use the space for an ice chest.

 

It's a place for the spare tire, in some other iteration of the box.

They didn't want to change the stamping of the metal for the American market version, so they put in the spacer...

Move the rear seat forward a couple of inches, remove the welded bracket, and a full-sized spare fits...

 

ohhh interesting...

 

From under the car it looks like they could have put a standard spare tire well in there with no problem. Move a couple sensors and we wouldn't need that buildup to locate the mini spare.

 

Has anybody made a fiberglass subwoofer box that replaces the foam thing that holds the spare?