What are the advantages and disadvantages of a low car chassis?
3 Answers
The advantages and disadvantages of a low car chassis are as follows: 1. Advantages: (1) Lowering the car chassis can increase the downward pressure on the vehicle body, thereby improving traction performance. When the chassis is lower, it can provide downward aerodynamic pressure to the body at high speeds. According to Bernoulli's principle, a narrow channel increases the speed of airflow, and as the airflow speed increases, the air pressure decreases, creating a pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the vehicle body. The pressure on the upper surface of the body will be greater than that on the lower surface. As a result, the air pushes the vehicle body downward, increasing the pressure of the tires on the ground, thereby enhancing tire friction and improving the traction performance of the sports car. (2) Reducing the impact of speed changes on traction performance. A low center of gravity improves body stability, making it less prone to rollover during high-speed turns. The effect of lowering the center of gravity during turns, acceleration, and deceleration is to minimize weight transfer, thereby reducing the impact of inertia on tire traction. 2. Disadvantages: (1) When passing through areas with significant elevation changes, the chassis may scrape the ground when driving straight. (2) When driving through deep water, there may be serious consequences such as engine water ingress.
The advantage of a low car chassis is significantly improved handling. It feels extremely stable to drive, without any swaying sensation when cornering, almost as if gliding on the ground. The reduced wind resistance also helps save some fuel, making long-distance highway driving more effortless. However, the drawbacks can be quite frustrating. A low chassis is prone to scraping on rough roads, such as speed bumps or potholes, and hitting rocks if not careful, which can be costly to repair. The ground clearance is also poor, increasing the risk of slipping when going downhill or driving in snowy conditions. I think it's suitable for urban roads, but extra caution is needed when going out for leisure trips.
Low-profile cars offer advantages such as a cooler and more stylish appearance, a strong sporty feel, better grip during turns to reduce fishtailing, and improved fuel efficiency and quietness in urban driving. However, the downsides are quite practical: poor ground clearance that can get stuck on minor bumps, requiring constant attention to speed bumps and manhole covers in daily driving; compromised comfort due to stiff suspension and noticeable bumps, leading to back pain over long drives. I experienced this firsthand during last year's National Day holiday when I couldn't navigate rural dirt roads and had to detour, wasting time.
