GT - Tell me about ground clearance

Davykettlechip

Junior Member
Messages
51
Hi, firstly thanks for such a warm welcome on here, feels very much, in spirit, like the forum I run for another marque and was renowned for its community.

I promise to delve deeper and use the search function too but one of the key thoughts, uppermost in my mind on the GT is nose ground clearance. I have a car that is not on a standard ride height but this is a whole different ball game. So couple of questions if i can:
  1. Are there genuine 'no go' areas? Thinking speed humps, multi-story car parks etc
  2. How resilient is the front number plate mounting as I expect this takes the full brunt initially, is it independent of the front bumper/lower lip assembly?
  3. Is anyone positioning the number plate in a different way from OEM? If so, does it make much difference in 'scuffability'?
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
I have run my car without a front plate to save it from damage (well because the car looked better without).

Generally I have not had major issues with clearance but speed humps should be taken slowly and if they are particularly aggressive at an angle.

My scariest moment was in a narrow lane with a huge camber and the car bottomed out and sounded dreadful- no damage though.
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
I've had a lot of sports cars and semi-exotics. It's fine, clears speed bumps etc. No issues for me.

I have a number plate in the usual fixing point. It's maybe scraped on the odd occasion, but no damage at all.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,547
I used to run mine with a front plate on the grounds that it was basically sacrificial. Not huge issues but a couple of things you approach with care.....

C
 

tokyomb

Member
Messages
264
Steep underground car park entrances can be a challenge - there's a video of @conaero's struggles on a previous group tour somewhere).

My approach to speed bumps is the same as that described above by @montravia.

Numberplate does get caught from time to time - and I did scrape the front early in my ownership turning sharply left up a hill - probably down to inexperience with this sort of car..
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,746
Yes, as above really.
Its not really a low car, its the long wheelbase and the front overhang that's the issue.
On bumpy roads the nose can occasionally get a scrape if there is a dip followed by a bulge in the road.
70% of speed bumps are OK, but the ones in the middle of the lane designed only to slow sports cars are best straddled.

Multi-storey entrances and level change ramps need to be taken at an angle, but also be careful with high curbs on entrances and exits as it's a big car and can be hard to judge.

My 2014MY GT Sport seems to rub more than my 2011 GT-S did. That could be because it has the MC handling pack so is a liitle lower, but also the front skirt is a little further forward than the earlier model (even with the front canards.)
See comparison below of my two.

75238
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,618
Only time I’ve hit my number plate was parking nose-on to quite a high kerb and went half an inch closer than I expected to!
Yup. We must all have done that.
Stupid thing was I ignored the reversing warnings. Couldn't see the low iron bollard in the middle of a carpark. 400 odd bhp argued with the steel bollard. Who won?
What stupid humpty thought it a good idea to stick a bollard in the middle of huge carpark.
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,618
Steep underground car park entrances can be a challenge - there's a video of @conaero's struggles on a previous group tour somewhere).

My approach to speed bumps is the same as that described above by @montravia.

Numberplate does get caught from time to time - and I did scrape the front early in my ownership turning sharply left up a hill - probably down to inexperience with this sort of car..
Multistorey carparks are off limits especially those with helta-skelta ramps between floors. Too narrow.
 

ofenomeno99

Member
Messages
354
Yes, as above really.
Its not really a low car, its the long wheelbase and the front overhang that's the issue.
On bumpy roads the nose can occasionally get a scrape if there is a dip followed by a bulge in the road.
70% of speed bumps are OK, but the ones in the middle of the lane designed only to slow sports cars are best straddled.

Multi-storey entrances and level change ramps need to be taken at an angle, but also be careful with high curbs on entrances and exits as it's a big car and can be hard to judge.

My 2014MY GT Sport seems to rub more than my 2011 GT-S did. That could be because it has the MC handling pack so is a liitle lower, but also the front skirt is a little further forward than the earlier model (even with the front canards.)
See comparison below of my two.

View attachment 75238

How can you tell if your car is equipped with the MC handling pack? Would be interested to know if mine has it
 

Davykettlechip

Junior Member
Messages
51
Great feedback, its that long overhang that i was worried about but seems in the main that being sensible can get you sorted. I have a low positioned oil cooler and ducting on my s2 so yes, a speed bump straddle was not on the cards there too. Love those mc shocks...!
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
Similarly, I've used a multistorey a few times, no issues with ramp angles or turning circle in my experience.

Naturally, there will be exceptions (never tried a heater skelter one in the GTS), but i expect most will comply to some kind of a standard when constructed.

The types of places you might have issues are at hotels and small private car parks, but even then, I've not had problems.

Similarly, on country roads, never had an issue, but then there is a risk if you put two wheels off the road (into a ditch), but I'd try to avoid that in any car.