New Mazda3 proves quietly capable
The revised Mazda3 has a wealth of driver aids. But not all are obvious, reports David Linklater.
The just-upgraded Mazda3 has an interesting piece of new driverassistance technology now fitted as standard across the range. But if you’re expecting to be wowed, you might be disappointed.
In fact, the better it’s working, the less you’ll be aware of it.
It’s called G-Vectoring Control (GVC) and it’s designed to help you steer the car smoothly around corners, with more linear steering inputs and less body roll.
It’s not to be confused with the ‘torque vectoring’ systems currently being used by many carmakers, which shift power to the the outside-driven wheel to increase cornering speed and stability. Instead, GVC is a bespoke Mazda development that the company says focuses on smoothness rather than sheer speed.
When the driver turns into a corner, GVC reduces engine torque, which induces weight transfer and improves steering response by increasing front-tyre grip. In theory, this immediacy prevents the driver from being too aggressive with the wheel, resulting in a smoother cornering stance and less lateral movement.
If it sounds pretty gung-ho – well, it’s not and isn’t supposed to be. It’s a software-only incremental improvement that is barely discernable by the driver in isolation: the time from steering input to torque reduction is less than 50 milliseconds and you’ll be hard-pressed to notice the deceleration of between 0.01-0.05g.
GVC also helps in reducing the steering correction needed on straight roads at speed.
The overall effect is more pronounced, says Mazda, on loose or slippery surfaces, where a GVC car suffers much less understeer because the driver has better control over steering inputs and the front-to-rear balance of the chassis.
We had a very quick go with a GVC-equipped car on-track last week, on a very low-speed 35kmh course of gradual turns and emergency lane-change manoeuvres, driving the facelift Mazda3 back-to-back with the outgoing non-GVC version.
Thirty-five kays is very slow indeed – hardly enough to get any cornering attitude – but the GVC car certainly felt more linear. The steering was more consistent and didn’t load up like the old car, even in sharp changes of direction.
Like we said, it’s not intended to wow you. But GVC has been eight years in the making (or rather, in the calibration) and it will be developed and installed across the full range of Mazda models as updates roll around.
Next will be the facelift Mazda6, to be launched in the coming weeks. It features not only GVC but also mechanical upgrades that include a DE Boost Control system for the 2.2-litre turbo diesel model, which is claimed to dramatically improve throttle response and refinement.
In the meantime, GVC and a suite of further upgrades make the facelifted Mazda3 the most hi-tech model in Mazda’s current lineup.
New technology for the Three includes Traffic Sign Recognition and Driver Attention Alert (both on SP25 and above), and adaptive LED headlamps and Lane-Keep Assist System (LAS) on SP25 Limited.
LAS works above 60kmh and has two operating modes: Early (centre of lane) and Late (when a car is in danger of leaving the lane).
Existing Mazda3 safety technologies have also been improved. Advanced Smart City Brake Support has gained pedestrian detection (10-80kmh) and is standard across the range. Similar Brake Support technology now works at highway speeds up to 160kmh in the flagship SP25
Limited.
The SP25 and above get reverse Smart City Brake Support (2-8kmh) and a full-colour head-up display.
Other changes across the range include retuned steering and suspension, a drive-mode selection switch for all automatic models, electronic parking brake and claims of improved refinement.
The GSX now has keyless entry/ start and power/folding side mirrors.
A facelift model should surely look different, right? Well, maybe.
The Mazda3 has undergone a few styling changes, but you’ll need to be a total Mazda-nerd to pick the new car from the old. The headlights, grille and front bumper have been reshaped, with fewer downward crease lines and more emphasis on width. If in doubt, check out the Mazda logo in the grille: it’s been moved lower down and no longer nudges the leading edge of the bonnet.
At the rear, the bumper has also moved away from curves and puts more emphasis on horizontal creases.
Inside, there’s a new steering wheel, a redesigned centre-console that incorporates an electric parking brake and some detail trim changes.
Prices for the Mazda3 range are unchanged, starting at $32,795 for the GLX automatic and running through to $47,495 for the SP25 Limited.
Sadly, the SP22 Limited turbodiesel has been dropped from the range: sales of 10-12 per month weren’t enough to sustain distributor and dealer support.