Mazda’s G-Vectoring tech not a priority for MX-5… yet
While you might expect Mazda’s clever new G-Vectoring Control (GVC) system to best suit its sports-car superstar the MX-5, we won’t be hearing about the new tech joining the suite of equipment it already packs. Not yet, anyway.
According to the boss of Mazda Australia, Martin Benders, the MX-5 isn’t at the forefront of Mazda’s stable to receive the new technology. “When we have something that works, we roll it out straight away and GVC is an example of that,” Benders says.
When I ask why the technology wasn’t launched along with the first model to receive it - in the coming update to the Mazda 3 rather than through a standalone test of the new tech in the USA - he says: “This technology is patented to Mazda as well, so we wanted you to experience it as soon as it was available.”
The underlying technology that makes G-Vectoring Control possible is of course Mazda’s SkyActiv engineering framework, which means the MX-5 is certainly capable of carrying the new system. “MX-5 isn’t a priority for the system at the moment,” Benders explained.
“In fact, GVC is really about taking that MX-5 feeling of directness and precision to normal cars, where the weight and centre of gravity is less optimal than in an MX-5. We believe GVC will have more impact on those sorts of cars.”
GVC will, in theory at least, have more value on Australian roads where we have variable surfaces, off-camber corners and plenty of poor road surfaces - especially outside the urban areas - than it does on higher quality European and Japanese roads.
“GVC should mean a lot less correcting and wheel work on longer drives in Australia,” Benders said. “That will mean less effort, less fatigue and more safety.”
Benders said he is aware of some complaints about vertical body movement with the CX-3, especially. He believes GVC will assist in reducing this experience where it is evident.
“There are also the options for different tuning for different countries too,” Benders said in reference to suspension systems.
“We don't take individual tunes at the moment, but there’s no reason we couldn’t investigate it in the future.”
You can read our closer look at GVC and how it works in our other specific news stories, below.
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