wheelbasetotrack

Wheelbase-to-track is a vehicle design metric that expresses the proportion between a car's wheelbase and its track width. The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles, while track width is the lateral distance between the left and right wheels on the same axle. When a vehicle has different front and rear track widths, designers may compute the ratio using the average of the two tracks.

Calculation example: If a car has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm and an average track of 1,600 mm, the wheelbase-to-track ratio is approximately 1.69.

Usage and interpretation: The ratio is used to assess handling characteristics and stability. A higher ratio (long wheelbase relative to track) generally contributes to straight-line stability and a larger turning radius, but can reduce steering responsiveness and agility. A lower ratio (shorter wheelbase or wider track) tends to improve cornering agility and reduces yaw inertia but can make the vehicle feel less stable at high speeds.

Influence on design: The ratio interacts with weight distribution, center of gravity, suspension geometry, and chassis stiffness. It is not a sole predictor of behavior; tire grip, aerodynamics, and suspension tuning also play major roles.

Applications: In sports cars, manufacturers often aim for lower wheelbase-to-track ratios to maximize agility, while family sedans and SUVs may employ higher ratios to prioritize stability and interior space.

Limitations: The metric should be considered alongside other factors; real-world handling depends on multiple interacting systems.