Overhang (vehicles)

Along with clearance, length of overhangs affects the approach and departure angles, which measure the vehicle's ability to overcome steep obstacles and rough terrain.

[3] Because most vehicles are styled so the wheelbase is typically equal to four wheel+tyre diameters,[2] the minimum OHR (with no bodywork projecting beyond the front or rear wheels) is approximately 20%.

Large overhangs also contribute to safety due to increased bulk, as well as space for crumple zones that provide defense for passengers in frontal and rear collisions.

In the case of the 911, the rear-mounted engine allows for increased practicality in the form of a small rear row of seats that would be impossible with a mid-engined sports car.

Since the rear overhang is outside the wheelbase, it may hit a vehicle in the adjacent lane, especially when turning 90 degrees right (in a right-hand drive country).

Also, some specialized vehicles (such as the AM General HMMWV and the related Hummer H1) are designed with no frontal overhang, allowing it to possess incredible abilities such as climbing vertical walls.

A: front overhang, B: rear overhang
The overhangs are from the bogie pivots to the ends of the railroad car profile
Rear-engined 911: engine's center of mass is concentrated within the rear overhang, outside the wheelbase.
Overhangs affect approach and departure angles of a car.
Mini Cooper (styled by Paul Smith )