New Mazda Chassis Control Technology Targets Comfort

Mazda Motor Corp. is developing a new electronic chassis assist technology to help improve vehicle stability and driving comfort.

The system, called G-Vectoring Control (GVC), will be launched late this year and eventually could be used in every vehicle Mazda makes, Autocar reports.

Working in conjunction with the carmaker’s latest SkyActiv engines, GVC makes small torque (up to 22 lb-ft) adjustments based on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed to “optimize vertical loading on a tire’s contact patch.” This allows a vehicle to maintain a steady cornering speed and reduces the need for drivers to make steering corrections, according to the carmaker.

The system also is said to reduce lateral forces on vehicle occupants when driving over rough road surfaces.

GVC is part of Mazda’s “Jinba Ittai” strategy—loosely translated to mean a rider and horse as one body—that aims to improve driver and passenger comfort, including smoother transitions between different G-forces generated by braking, turning and acceleration. As part of the program, future models also will feature redesigned seats and foot pedals to better cradle occupants and improve ergonomics.