[BobS]

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?

 

[makeadeel]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[BobS]

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]

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.

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.

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.

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

 

[~el~jefe~]

Fancy measurements

 

[gfspencer]

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]

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.

 

[jimdillard]

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!