What is the minimum ground clearance of the Volkswagen Variant?
4 Answers
The minimum ground clearance of the Volkswagen Variant is 174mm. More information about the Volkswagen Variant is as follows: 1. The new Volkswagen Variant has not made significant changes to its exterior, with the focus of improvements being on configuration adjustments. The new model will feature a 9.2-inch touchscreen multimedia central control panel and the latest generation of Volkswagen's human-machine interaction system. 2. The overall interior design style of the new car is the same as the standard version; details include fabric seats and blue decorative stitching in multiple areas inside the car. The new car retains the full LCD instrument panel and electronic parking brake. 3. The new model continues with the current powertrain, offering 1.4T and 2.0T engine options. The 1.4T engine has a maximum power of 110kW and a maximum torque of 250N·m; the 2.0T engine has a maximum power of 162kW and a maximum torque of 350N·m.
As a frequent long-distance driver, I've measured the ground clearance of my Volkswagen Variant several times. Official specs don't provide exact data, but my measurements show about 160mm clearance when unloaded. Note this varies: drops to 150mm with two suitcases, and may reduce to 135mm with five passengers. The lowest point when crossing speed bumps is actually the spare tire compartment under the trunk - the front bumper maintains 180mm clearance. Upgrading to 18-inch wheels could add 5mm more clearance, but this would compromise suspension tuning and isn't worth it. Maintaining factory specifications is the safest approach.
Reviewing the German technical manual reveals that the Passat Variant's chassis details are quite meticulous. The longitudinal engine layout allows the front section of the chassis to have a ground clearance of 173 mm, but the lowest point at the middle section of the exhaust is only 138 mm. After adopting the MQB platform in the B8 version, the ground clearance decreased by approximately 8 mm compared to the previous model. The roof rack longitudinal bars reduce the vehicle height by an additional 20 mm or so, and with a bicycle rack installed, the actual ground clearance drops to less than 130 mm. Using a rangefinder, I personally measured that the subframe bolts behind the front wheels are the lowest point, at about 145 mm.
Bringing a measuring tape to the 4S store to check the display car, the salesperson mentioned that the domestic version's chassis is lowered by 15mm compared to the European version. With a load of 400kg, the ground clearance decreases from 152mm to 135mm, mainly due to significant compression in the rear suspension. Tire size plays a big role: the 215/55 R17 tires, with their thicker sidewalls, offer better actual protection than the 235/45 R18. Weekend tests on paved road shoulders showed that obstacles up to 165mm can generally be cleared, but be cautious with steep angles to avoid scraping the front lip. After three years of use, it's recommended to install an aluminum alloy underbody guard.