GTS 4.0 Ground Clearance vs other 718 models

10197 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by 2024CaymanS, 19 d ago

BobS

Discussion Starter · Dec 20, 2021

Porsche lists the “Max. ground clearance (steel suspension)” as 4.4 inches. I find this confusing given that the standard config has a 20mm lowered Sport PASM suspension. That would make its clearance higher than the base config 718 model, which everyone seems to agree is 4.3”. Would that 4.4” measurement be for a different point on the chassis compared to the base model measurement? Porsche website doesn’t even list ground clearance for any of the models besides the GTS 4.0. So maybe the often cited 4.3” clearance for the base model is wrong?

Another data point… the clearance for the base 911 is listed as 4.7”. So in general, the 718s are lower than the 911s?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

makeadeel

· #2 · Dec 20, 2021

Maybe they measured from a bolt on a lower control arm or something. Now I am curious, I'll have to measure a couple of spots on mine (S-PASM GTS) when I get home

makeadeel

· #3 · Dec 21, 2021

I just put a tape measure under the car from floor to the panel under the seats (random choice), and it is indeed just shy of 4.5" on a GTS 4.0 with S-PASM (-.75" from standard)

BobS

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 21, 2021

makeadeel said:
I just put a tape measure under the car from floor to the panel under the seats (random choice), and it is indeed just shy of 4.5" on a GTS 4.0 with S-PASM (-.75" from standard)

Thanks. In that case, the often cited clearance of 4.3” for the base and S models must not be correct. I don’t see how they could be lower than the GTS.

BobS

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 21, 2021

I figured it out. Two different measurements involved. Porsche’s spec as quoted above is the maximum clearance. But what is most often cited is the minimum clearance. As I had assumed, that measurement must be from the lowest point under the front spoiler — more specifically the “sacrificial” plastic strip that typically gets scraped. That of course would be lower than the height of the “steel suspension”, where you would get the maximum measurement.

makeadeel

· #6 · Dec 21, 2021

just checked my bumper, and the lip of the spoiler is about 6.5" of clearance, and the winglet in front of the front wheel is about 3.5" of clearance

Reactions: 3

BobS

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 21, 2021

makeadeel said:
just checked my bumper, and the lip of the spoiler is about 6.5" of clearance, and the winglet in front of the front wheel is about 3.5" of clearance

Ok. I guess the winglet is the low point, as the min clearance is supposed to be 3.6*.

forevermanual

· #8 · Dec 22, 2021 (Edited)

4

I happened to have few pics on the topic.
Here is the front underfloor of the base 718 without PASM (in millimetres). That's the real ground clearance — and the largest there is.
Switching to 20 inch wheels, for example, adds nothing at the front.

Automotive tire Hood Road surface Asphalt Bumper

Next is the Base's front lip compared to the front lip of the 4.0 GTS.
Although the painted part of the standard car is situated higher, the clearance isn't larger because of the massive plastic skirt.

Automotive tire Tire Road surface Asphalt Yellow

Finally here are the Base (pictured left) and the 4.0 GTS with PASM (-20 mm) face to face. The swapped wheels should not fool you.
The overhang of the GTS (pictured right) is slightly longer, thanks to the Sport Package bumper fitted as standard.
But the pure height difference between the sharp edges is surprisingly not significant.

Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Motor vehicle

And, just in case you ever wondered, here is the clearance under the rear subframe.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Automotive lighting Hood

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Reactions: 5

~el~jefe~

· #9 · Dec 26, 2021

Fancy measurements

gfspencer

· #10 · Dec 26, 2021

Great pictures! Thanks.

Remember, PASM does not change ride height. It just firms up the suspension. I was confused by that coming from a Macan because my suspension height could be changed.

BobS

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 26, 2021

gfspencer said:
Great pictures! Thanks.

Remember, PASM does not change ride height. It just firms up the suspension. I was confused by that coming from a Macan because my suspension height could be changed.

For clarity, PASM is always on. The firming up is when sport mode is selected.

Reactions: 3

jimdillard

· #12 · Dec 30, 2021

forevermanual said:
I happened to have few pics on the topic.
Here is the front underfloor of the base 718 without PASM (in millimetres). That's the real ground clearance — and the largest there is.
Switching to 20 inch wheels, for example, adds nothing at the front.
View attachment 37105

Next is the Base's front lip compared to the front lip of the 4.0 GTS.
Although the painted part of the standard car is situated higher, the clearance isn't larger because of the massive plastic skirt.
View attachment 37106

Finally here are the Base (pictured left) and the 4.0 GTS with PASM (-20 mm) face to face. The swapped wheels should not fool you.
The overhang of the GTS (pictured right) is slightly longer, thanks to the Sport Package bumper fitted as standard.
But the pure height difference between the sharp edges is surprisingly not significant.
View attachment 37107

And, just in case you ever wondered, here is the clearance under the rear subframe.
View attachment 37108

Very nicely done sir. Thank you!

Reactions: 1

Keithbickford

· #13 · 2 mo ago

Car Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Grille

There are so many differences between the two cars. One thing that is the same is the side marker. Here you can clearly see the difference. This is the photo previously posted. Just zoomed in

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Snake Pliskin

· #14 · 2 mo ago

I researched this quite a lot before getting my car and in the end I 'hoped' it would be ok.
It kinda was ....
There are speed bumps near to where I live which I have to drive over every day, hence it was something on my mind.
I did drive over some speed humps in a test drive car and it was ok, but now I am thinking that car maybe had the 10mm drop rather than 20mm.
I have to almost come to a complete stop and very gently drive over speed humps in my car then it is fine.
But any degree of mild speed and the underside will scrape.

718J

· #15 · 2 mo ago

No rub issues on my GTS yet. Have avoided potholes and such, but driveways and normal bumps all good.

johan

· #16 · 2 mo ago

Keithbickford said:
View attachment 54433
There are so many differences between the two cars. One thing that is the same is the side marker. Here you can clearly see the difference. This is the photo previously posted. Just zoomed in

Its the angle between the cars an camera

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Keithbickford

· #17 · 2 mo ago

johan said:
Its the angle between the cars an camera

I noticed this address posting. Thanks for clarifying.

JazzCatGab

· #18 · 2 mo ago

Just FYI from the GTK app for 2019:

Font Parallel Pattern Number Art

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Reactions: 5

2024CaymanS

· #19 · 19 d ago

forevermanual said:
I happened to have few pics on the topic.
Here is the front underfloor of the base 718 without PASM (in millimetres). That's the real ground clearance — and the largest there is.
Switching to 20 inch wheels, for example, adds nothing at the front.
View attachment 37105

Next is the Base's front lip compared to the front lip of the 4.0 GTS.
Although the painted part of the standard car is situated higher, the clearance isn't larger because of the massive plastic skirt.
View attachment 37106

Finally here are the Base (pictured left) and the 4.0 GTS with PASM (-20 mm) face to face. The swapped wheels should not fool you.
The overhang of the GTS (pictured right) is slightly longer, thanks to the Sport Package bumper fitted as standard.
But the pure height difference between the sharp edges is surprisingly not significant.
View attachment 37107

And, just in case you ever wondered, here is the clearance under the rear subframe.
View attachment 37108

Thanks for this. I’m trying to determine a trailer set up for my new Cayman.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts