Why Do New Cars Have Low Ground Clearance?

[kenlitting]

most new generation cars have low groundclearance. especially foreign vehicles, does this enhance riding comfort

 

[raj_5004]

Its not for ride comfort, infact ride comfort suffers.

Low GC is to keep the car low, thus lowering its centre of gravity & giving it better handling. It also means stiffer short action springs which improve handling & stability at high speeds by reducing body roll.

 

[carfreak]

It also means stiffer short action springs which improve handling & stability at high speeds by reducing body roll.

Yes this is one of the main reason modern day cars go for lower GC. Also it provides that extra bit of handling stability and confidence in tight corners at high speed. But for Indian road conditions some times low GC might turn into a bane. To prevent this auto manufacturers tends to provide higher GC for their Indian launches. Eg: For the Indian market, Ford is using a higher profile tyre (195/60 R15) which has increased the new Fiesta’s ground clearance by 15mm.

 

[AMG]

Abroad, the roads are awesome, and there are less bumps and speed breakers.
So Low GC doesnt really matter.

And the same cars are launched here in India, but the companies are too lazy to actually lift them.

 

[amiti]

In India, IMHO we need cars with good GC. Cars like honda city, ford figo, polo, i20 and punto (there might be more cars) needs to be driven with care to avoid our pothole filled roads and dangerous speed breakers. But just changing GC for Indian condition won't be that easy for any car manufacturer.

That's one reason I feel vehicle like Thar would serve the purpose given the Indian road conditions. Also another purpose of keeping rickshaw's at bay.