In the era of urban cars that appear compact on the outside but spacious on the inside, the long wheelbase and short overhangs redefine our perception of habitability. This play of illusion, which some call automotive magic, is actually the result of meticulous engineering that allows us to travel in comfort while manoeuvring through the urban jungle.
A revolutionary design: onboard space
In recent years, it has been fascinating to see that some compacts, once onboard, give the impression of belonging to a higher segment. Legroom, habitability, interior volumes: everything has increased, while the car, viewed from the outside, has remained almost identical — or even shorter. The “trick” is always the same: long wheelbase, short overhangs, wheels pushed to the four corners of the body. A formula that works, that has come a long way, and that dominates modern design today.
SUVs, crossovers, electric vehicles, and even urban cars adopt this logic. And it is not just an aesthetic choice: it is engineering, packaging, habitability. With the shift towards electric technologies and new by-wire technologies, this design freedom is only increasing.
In this article, I take you behind the scenes of one of the quietest — but also most important — transformations in contemporary automotive design. We are talking about creating more space without increasing external dimensions. It is as if every car manufacturer has decided to take magic lessons to transform an urban car into a limousine.
Why a long wheelbase changes everything
The wheelbase, that is, the distance between the axles, really determines the usable space in the cabin. By increasing it, we gain more legroom, a more comfortable seating position, and a more rational distribution of volumes. It is a bit like enlarging the living room of an apartment without touching the exterior walls.
However, for years, the problem came from the mechanics. With front-wheel drive, especially with transverse engines, a significant front overhang was needed to house the engine, gearbox, and transmissions. Some brands tried to mask this limitation: Audi with very short fronts, the Mini R50 with a vertical and compact design, or the Alfa Romeo 156 with a rounded nose that gives the illusion of perfect balance.
Today, on the contrary, electricity has freed up volumes: engines are more compact, batteries are under the floor, and the wheelbase can be extended without compromises. That is why some compacts suddenly seem to have “grown” inside. Take, for example, the Volkswagen ID.3, the founding model of the electric family, which features a very long wheelbase. It is compact on the outside and almost a mid-size saloon on the inside.
The first Peugeot 208 was shorter than the previous 207 while maintaining interior space; the current 208 is slightly longer, but still with a long wheelbase and a spacious cabin.
The Volkswagen ID.3, the founding model of the electric range, features a very long wheelbase that makes it compact on the outside and almost a mid-size saloon on the inside.
SUVs, MPVs, and urban cars: three philosophies, one rule
Before SUVs, it was the MPVs that applied this recipe. Think of the Fiat Multipla, short, tall, and with a huge interior. The overhangs were minimised, and the wheelbase was exploited to the last millimetre. Modern SUVs have adopted this philosophy, combining it with large wheels and taller bodies.
Today, we find models like the Renault Scénic E-Tech, with a long wheelbase and minimised overhangs, the Volvo EX30, very compact but surprisingly spacious, or the Kia EV6, which favours careful proportions. On the urban car side, the first Ford Ka, from the 90s, had already pushed the wheels to the extremes — a choice that also brought benefits in handling.
In general terms, this logic also works across all compacts. For example, the first-generation Peugeot 208 was shorter than the 207, while the new 208 is slightly longer, but with larger diameter wheels. It is as if every car is now designed like a gigantic Tetris, where each piece must fit perfectly to maximise space.
The first Ford Ka from the 90s placed the wheels at the extremes, thus improving stability and lateral acceleration compared to the competition of the time.
Among the many proposals for long wheelbase cars, the Kia EV6 stands out for its technical layout that favours moving the wheels to the extremes.
Wheels at the four corners: the effect of “more car in less space”
One of the most effective solutions is to place the wheels as close as possible to the ends of the body. Many models do this today, such as the Honda Jazz, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with its immense wheelbase, or the new generations of MINI, which remain true to this philosophy.
Electric platforms further accentuate the phenomenon: without a driveshaft, no tunnel, and compact engines that allow unprecedented reductions in overhangs. Remember those building games where you have to maximise space while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design.
With by-wire technologies, the steering no longer needs to be physically connected to the steering wheel. The front wheels can be placed even further forward, freeing up precious space and allowing for completely new architectures. This is where the future of proportions is born.
The first MINI of the BMW era took from the original version the idea of a long wheelbase with wheels at the extremes.
The Volvo EX30 is a modern example of optimal exploitation of a long wheelbase on a 100% electric platform.
The car of tomorrow will have unprecedented proportions
In the 90s, designers had to deal with long overhangs and mechanical limitations. Today, it is the opposite: we can lengthen the wheelbase, free up volume, and reinvent the cabin. With electric motors integrated into the wheels — a technology already mentioned by Mitsubishi — as well as increasingly advanced by-wire systems, it will be possible to design cars with wheels where they are useful, without compromises.
This is a quiet but important revolution: more space, more comfort, and more design freedom. The cars of the future will not only be more efficient: they will finally be proportioned around people, not around mechanics. This should delight all those who dream of a vehicle where comfort goes hand in hand with engineering.
