Advantages of a car with high ground clearance

Ground clearance is one of the key dimensions of a car.  Technically speaking, it the distance between the road surface and the lowest part of the car’s body, generally the chassis. It’s a crucial parameter which determines the cars stability, safety and ride quality.

Cars with high-ground clearance help in keeping the under-body safe. Theoretically, the greater the distance, the higher the possibility that no part of the car gets scraped off by the ground beneath. However, beyond a certain point, higher ground clearance makes the car unstable. If it is too high, then the Centre of Gravity (CG) of the car rises making the car unstable. Higher CG can cause the car to topple especially on curves at higher speeds. Hence, carmakers conduct a number of tests to arrive at the optimum level of ground clearance so that it can remain stable in all driving conditions.

However, just having better ground clearance is of no use. It needs to be supported well by an optimally stiff suspension system and a matching wheelbase to make the car stable even at high speeds.

Suspension system essentially connects the wheels with the car and includes parts like shock absorbers, link rod, lower arm and springs. While driving over potholes or speed breakers, the suspension system absorbs the unevenness of the road and does not allow the shock or imbalance to be passed onto the car’s upper body. Hence, when you are driving on tough roads with good suspension system, you hardly feel a thing. While softer (i.e. vey flexible) suspension makes the ride smooth, it also increases the chance of the car’s under body touching the ground at the slightest movement. But when a car with harder (i.e. stiff) suspension drives over any hurdle, it results in a very rough and inconvenient ride for the passengers inside.

Similarly, wheelbase is the length between the centre of the car’s front and rear wheels. Longer wheelbase provides greater cabin space, increases control and lowers driving fatigue. However, cars with longer wheelbase need a softer suspension. That is one of the reasons why long wheelbase cars generally tend to get scrapped at the bottom on slightest of bumps even when the car has just 1 or 2 passengers. 

To deal with the poor road conditions in India, car manufacturers need to achieve an optimum level between ground clearance, suspension quality and wheelbase length. 

Some of the advantages of cars with high ground clearance are:

·         Lower chances of scraping the car’s under-body on roads while driving on potholes and uneven speed breakers.

·         Greater carrying capacity since the car still remains high off the ground. 

·         Greater ability to negotiate hurdles and minor bumps with relative ease and no discomfort to the passengers inside.

·         Optimal stability on curves at higher speeds.

Renault India offers a range of cars that are designed to effortlessly take on all kinds of roads. For instance, the Renault KWID has a ground clearance of 184 mm while the TRIBER offers a best-in-class ground clearance of 182 mm. Similarly, Renault DUSTER stands tall with 205 mm whereas the Renault CAPTUR measures 210 mm from ground besides being the widest and longest car in its category.  This makes Renault India amongst the few manufactures that offer cars with high-ground clearance.