Jazz Crosstar, raise suspension?

[hazeyjane]

Hi all,

Im about to get a new Jazz Crosstar soon. And the only thing im not super exited about is the ground clearance. Do you think there is a way to mod the car with a raised suspension or something similar?

I saw this Honda concept of the Crosstar, not sure if it's even raised there, but it could be an even more amazing car if it was higher IMO. What do you think? Is it possible even?

[Whiteshark]

That photo does look good. I think your first port of call would need to be your Honda dealer as any alteration would probably affect your warranty and insurance i suspect, but good luck.

[coldstart]

I'm with @Whiteshark on this one:

If you absolutely need more ground clearance: Why buy a Jazz?
(it might prove to be more expensive to modify an initially unsuited car to your special needs than buy the "right" car in the first place)

puzzled greetings

[ahavoja]

Indeed it would be nice to have even more ground clearance in Crosstar. In theory it should be possible to change to longer springs, or stiffer springs, or put some spring spacers to lengthen the existing springs, but I have no experience about this in practice.

The ground clearance of Crosstar is only about 1 cm higher than the other Jazzes, I measured it once at my local dealer. I think this 1 cm comes from the Crosstar's tyres that are 17 mm larger in diameter than the tyres of the other models. So it could be that Crosstar probably has the same suspension as the other Jazzes. In the specs it says that Crosstar is 3 cm taller than the other Jazz models, so the missing 2 cm must then come from somewhere else, maybe from the roof rails.

[Nicksey]

Why would you need it raising?
A Crosstar is just a styling exercise of the standard Jazz. The power train is the same, and doesn't have any 4x4 type credentials whatsoever. Surely if you need higher ground clearance for the terrain and topography you live, or indeed drive in... then you would buy something more suited.

[olduser1]

Did you drive the Crosstar over local or familiar roads?

[richardfrost]

If I was worried about ground clearance I’d be looking at a Dacia Duster or Sandero Stepway. A one year old Duster, with the new model on the way, is an exceptionally good bargain at the moment.

[Lincolnshire Rambler]

I drove the first Fiat Panda 4 x 4 . It didnt have too much ground clearance but it went most places you didnt expect because of the  4 wheel. It would out perform a heavier 2wd cross star even if it had higher ground clearance.

[Nicksey]

If I was worried about ground clearance I’d be looking at a Dacia Duster or Sandero Stepway. A one year old Duster, with the new model on the way, is an exceptionally good bargain at the moment.

Renault powered, so reliable too.

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If you need any help with insurance at all for modifications then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[ahavoja]

Found a video of that Crosstar concept car

[Spodric]

More ground clearance, really?

Watch this Italian video of a Crosstar being hammered on an offroad test track, from 18:48 onwards!

[Lord Voltermore]

I dont regard that test track as requiring any extra ground clearance.  A standard Jazz would do just as well there if you are willing to drive it like you stole it.  Or like a motoring journalist.   

I can understand the desire for a bit more ground clearance. But  In my experience , as long as  the front skirt has a reasonable amount of clearance, and the nose of the car doesnt project too far forward of the front axle, reducing  the 'approach angle' ,  the the track  has to be absolutely appalling before you need extra ground clearance. As long as you drive at an appropriate speed. 

  A bit of extra ground clearance might occasionally save you from grounding the car   but  the rest of the time it can  encourage you to drive faster than you should and on ever worse tracks.  Extra ground clearance doesnt reduce the battering your tyres and suspension takes. They are still subject to Newtons law.   Kinetic energy  increases by the square of velocity.    Increase your speed from say  5 mph to 10 mph you dont just hit potholes, rocks etc twice as hard, its  4 times as hard.

 I have travelled some awful roads in India.  You quite often see rugged ,large , off roader 4x4's having roadside repairs to their suspension yet  the many small hatchbacks manage the same route without problems.. But maybe driven with a bit more  caution.