Why are the chassis of high-end cars relatively flat?
2 Answers
High-end cars have relatively flat chassis because: luxury cars pay attention to details. Making the chassis flat reduces the probability of the vehicle's chassis scraping the ground, conforms to aerodynamics, and makes the vehicle more stable during high-speed driving. The functions of the chassis are: to support and install the car engine and its various components and assemblies, forming the overall shape of the car, receiving the power generated by the engine, and ensuring normal driving when the car moves. Daily maintenance of the chassis includes: 1. Good lubrication and proper adjustment of the wheel hub bearings; 2. Proper adjustment of the front wheel toe-in, good lubrication and proper adjustment of the wheel hub bearings; 3. Pay attention to changes in the front and rear axles and the frame; 4. Pay attention to the working condition of the clutch; 5. Proper adjustment of the brake clearance; 6. Pay attention to whether the leaf springs are damaged.
I found that the flat underbody design of premium cars is primarily for optimizing aerodynamics. At high speeds, airflow can smoothly pass underneath without creating turbulence that increases drag. My old classmate who works in a wind tunnel lab mentioned that for every 10% reduction in the drag coefficient of the underbody, fuel consumption decreases by about 7%. Luxury vehicles pay special attention to this detail, even meticulously designing the exhaust pipe placement to achieve an almost completely flat underside. This design also enhances high-speed stability, especially during cornering when the body stays more planted. Of course, the cost is higher, requiring integrated aluminum castings and special coatings, which is why mainstream vehicles generally don't adopt this approach.
