In 2012, Mazda has created an encompassing suite of technologies under the Skyactiv brand. These three elements: Engine, Drive (transmission), and Body are all responsible for Mazda’s fun-to-drive renaissance of late. Though found in every sixth-generation model, Mazda realizes its limitation: they work and operate independently of each other.
Conventionally, the engine and chassis operate separately and systems like torque vectoring and stability control would only kick in when the car reaches the limits of its safe operation. For Mazda, this reactive behavior doesn’t result in a unified driving feel. Despite being able to keep a car pointed in the right direction, it can feel like the driver is being nannied at times.
The mission of Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics is to create a driving environment that’s consistently effective over a range of driving situations from low-speed everyday driving to high speed enthusiastic driving to even emergency situations. Typical of the company’s “defying convention” mentality, Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics unifies the engine, transmission, and body control into one cohesive and proactive package that allies to the company’s human-centered philosophy. Not only is Mazda gunning for mechanical efficiency, but also imagines how a vehicle should behave in consideration of its driver.
The first part of the Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics is G-Vectoring Control or GVC. The idea behind GVC is revolutionary: it uses the engine to enhance the chassis response. It does this by adjusting engine torque in response to steering inputs. GVC controls both swaying and pitching motion—something that hasn’t been done before. This makes the car move more precisely as the driver intended, reducing the need for steering corrections, many of which are performed unconsciously.
GVC works the moment the driver starts to turn the steering wheel. This generates a deceleration force, shifting load to the front wheels. This increases front-wheel tire grip, enhancing the vehicle’s turn-in response. After that, when the driver maintains a constant steering angle, GVC immediately recovers engine torque which then transfers load to the rear wheels enhancing vehicle stability. This series of load transfers actually extract more grip from the tires, improving responsiveness and stability. And not only does GVC reduce steering inputs, it also provides better control and traction in poor road conditions such as rain or snow. It improves passenger comfort by reducing the unnecessary swaying motion—the most common cause of car sickness.
One of the key features of GVC is that it enhances a natural driving feel by offering quicker and more precise control. The reaction time of the system is faster than a person can perceive. The resulting deceleration force is usually just a subtle 0.1 G (minimum is 0.01 G and maximum is 0.5 G).
The beauty of GVC is its high deployability among the Mazda line-up. Purely a software control system, GVC does not carry any weight penalty. In addition, it can easily be deployed regardless of drive system and vehicle type. Mazda engineers have actually said that most of its new-generation models will receive GVC starting with the 2017 Mazda3. And though it works best on an OEM set-up, GVC will not affect those planning to run an aftermarket set-up. It can be made to adapt to a new set-up when necessary with no intervention from the driver.
Mazda has always aimed to offer vehicles that provide driving pleasure. It has done so through the pursuit of Jinba-ittai, the feeling of unity between driver and car. Whether turning, braking, or simply cruising, the driver should be able to control the vehicle naturally and easily as if it were an extension of his body. The newly launched Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics is the next step towards achieving that goal. It continues on Mazda’s path of delivering a human-centric development philosophy.
The one thing I really liked about Mazda is their defiance of the norm. They give excellent alternative choices for the rebels like me. Keep up the great job Mazda. Don't mind the haters and bashers, they just couldn't give up practicality, shell a little more money on Mazda, and their decades old boring life with the big car brands.
ReplyDeleteThe problem isn't their cars. Its annoying fanboys like you that ruin the image of mazda.
DeleteRuin the image of Mazda? You just cannot accept the things I'm saying.
DeleteI've accepted the things you're saying. As I said, their cars are good. The image of mazda is slowly being ruined by annoying overzealous fanboys like you who think mazda is the best thing since sliced bread.
DeleteIt is quite the like the best thing since sliced bread in the automotive industry. Pardon my zealotry, I just get excited when it comes to Mazda.
DeleteNo it isn't. See. This is exactly why fanboys like you are ruining mazda's image.
DeleteAUTOACTIV COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE SOON SO WATCHOUT HAHA
ReplyDeletePretty much expected. That guy should be banned.
DeleteFYI Until our government is democracy, there's a freedom of speech.
DeleteThat's not how freedom of speech works. A website can regulate comments without violating the constitutional guarantee on freedom of speech.
DeleteIf you are going to discuss about negative openion about car, do think that's violation of constitution? I dont see any violition while reading other comment. Its only an opinion.
DeleteSpeaking of cars as in muscle cars, nowhere do we hear G-Vectoring or Sky-Active blah blah blah!
ReplyDeleteWhen men speak of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Camaro, Ford GT, Hellcat Viper...they always speak of power..500hp, 750hp, 1200hp and so on. Evidently power is the greatest consideration or property of a car that justifies the level its belongs.
In simple language, power is what separates the men from the boys !
It makes excitement when power gets you anywhere you want, its power that drives your spirit into adventures unknown, it's power that lets you escape from the unexpected and its power that makes you the leader of the pack! If you dont know, these are the reasons why driving is fun and not boring!
Accessories etc..? Leave it for the ladies !
I've read something that automakers are obsessed with building the car with the most powerful engine, but those cars feel distant. That's where the Miata comes in. You'll really have the drive of your life driving a Miata as compared to the 86 for example. Read reviews of the MX-5, you'll see. I plan to buy a Miata myself in the future, but I'll stick to my Mazda 3 for now..
Deletehp is nothing without torque you little piece of shit. and btw power is still shit. it always depends on the power to weight ratio. that why your muscle car with a stupid amount of horsepower always lose to a light weight car with a decent power. and italian supercars are overated piece of shit. a properly tuned skyline r34, evo or even a supra can beat that shit.
Deleteand btw I met a lot of ladies who has a properly tuned with built motor evo, sti and 86/brz. Those are "ladies". they dont need an italian "stock" supercar. because they know how to properly build an engine with a right amount of power
DeleteWill they stick this in the underpowered 1.5L Mazda3 to make it more safer for these ladies?
ReplyDeleteYou're the type of person that should get arrested or shamed on the internet. You're so sexist. Sexist people don't deserve to live in our society. We try to have a nice time on this website but sexist people like you and Autoretard and his crappy pickup just ruin this website.
Deletesince you INSIST on being an a**hole, here's two cents.
ReplyDeleteperformance-oriented car brands DO pay attention to chassis behavior at high-speed maneuvers, its why we have adaptive suspensions, dampers, engine mounts etc. unfortunately, due to the added cost and complexity of these systems, you would ONLY find them north of US$ 100k...
they all have different names to them, but the tech's principles are the same. ferrari has them, as does lambo, and since lambo is vw the tech also finds its way to porsche and audi's rs. ditto bmw's m and merc's amg.
as far as i know, the "cheapest" application of this tech can be found in gm's cadillacs and the corvette, which unfortunately aren't available in the phils. BUT it may find its way to the suburban and the camaro, along with increased price of course.
mazda, on the other hand, made an AFFORDABLE "software" alternative to the "hardware" you would only find in those expensive marques listed above.
besides, your hp argument is painfully invalid. jap brands are not obsessed with absurd hp figures. save for the nissan gt-r, the 5.0L v8 in the lexus rc f, gs f, and upcoming lc 500, and the honda/acura nsx, which are bonafide performance cars, jap brands are primarily concerned with reliability and customer satisfaction.
also, setting aside the ford gt, ang kapal naman ng mukha mong pagtabihin ang ferrari, lambo at DODGE. kahit parehas fiat-chrysler ang ferrari at dodge, sana man lang ang tinerno mo eh mclaren and koenigsegg, 'paka ignoranteng mangmang...
Instead of just asking ban this person, guys why dont u just defend your favorite cars by putting up a good argument. Come on...theres a lot of reasons out there why you choose and bought your beloved vehicles...speak up....
ReplyDeleteTrue. But he's just so damn annoying
DeleteHalos lahat ng news dito ay Mazda ah. Sayang hindi na translate PR nila to sales
ReplyDeleteRather than more electronic hibbidy gibbidy why dont mazda work on selling a car with decent power at 1m or less? That 1.5 is just anemic for today
ReplyDeleteGood point. Not just Mazda but for other cars as well. Less accessories and cosmetics but more power priced below 1M is definitely more preferable !
DeleteIf im not mistaken, Hyundai is making a good move by putting Sta Fe's engine into the Tucson. If the others follow suit by putting their base model engines i.e. like the Escape into Ecosport, XTrail into Juke, CX5 into the upcoming CX3 and the CRV into the soon to arrive BRV, RAV4 into the CHR concept then many of us will be releived from anemia. Of course they may raise the prices of these compact crossvers by around 100k to 150k from their current prices which i think is acceptable. This is just my wish list...not sure if everyone agrees.
ReplyDeleteYeah but Fuel Consumption might be shot, just saying.
DeleteHi Sir Uly. This is a nice update on the Skyactiv Tech. I got my Mazda6 last January. I was thinking, is this enhancement (thru a software deployment) a possibility on the 2016 M6? I understand though that they referred to the 2017 models as recipients of such update. But, you know, I am still keen on knowing if it can be something to look forward to in the coming months or so.
ReplyDeleteWould be great to hear from you on Mazda PH HQ's feedback.
Thanks in advance Sir.
Paolo
From an engineering stand point, yes it's possible. I actually asked that question during the test.
DeleteWill Mazda do it? Likely, no.
I see. Would've been great if they did--they used the updated (2016) M6 in the demos anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks again Sir.
In other countries, they tested it with the Mazda6. In terms of production model, the Mazda3 gets it first.
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