Vehicle Dynamics: Understeer
The ratio of lateral force to wheel load is greater on the front axle than on the rear. The vehicle follows a larger cornering radius than that corresponding to the steering angle. It also slides to the outside of the turn via the front axle. When designing the chassis, this behavior is often the preferred option, because when the vehicle breaks away it can be returned to a straightline course which it is possible to calculate. Take, for example, a vehicle which begins to break away via the front axle while being driven to the limits; if the steering angle is then reduced, the vehicle will recover to assume a straightline course.
BMW chassis are designed so that they have slight understeer characteristics.