Cars

New-look Mazda3 Introduces G-Vectoring and Astina Plus

November 3, 2016

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G-Vectoring Control introduced for the first time in the new-look Mazda3 2.0L engines.
Astina Plus, Mazda3’s new model derivative pioneers advanced safety features.
Mazda3 with enhanced interior and exterior is available to the Southern Africa market.

Continuing the rollout of Mazda’s SKYACTIV Technology; Mazda has introduced SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS. This is a series of new-generation vehicle motion control technologies that provide integrated control of the engine, transmission, chassis and body to enhance the vehicle’s Jinba-Ittai; a sense of connectedness between car and driver that distinguishes Mazda vehicles.

The G-Vectoring Control (GVC) is the first innovation from this series. It engages by finely controlling engine torque that is based on the steering and acceleration of the driver, resulting in improved handling for the driver and ride quality for the passengers around corners. G-Vectoring Control will be introduced to future new-generation models starting with the new-look Mazda3.

The model range has been enhanced with the addition of the Mazda3 2.0L Astina Plus derivative. Available in 4-dr and 5-dr, the new Astina Plus model comes with advanced safety features that include Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Driver Attention Alert (DAA) and Blind Sport Monitoring (BSM), which is also available on the Astina derivative.

Interior enhancements on the new-look Mazda3 range which is still available in both 1.6L and 2.0L engines include standard Bluetooth from entry model, standard Cruise Control on Individual models and the introduction of Auto Shift Switch, also known as Paddle-shift on the 6-speed automatic transmission models.

The exterior enhancements comprise of an updated Mazda badge that sits slightly lower than the current model, redesigned fog lights, alloy wheels and side skirts.

The back of the hatch received a redesign to make it look sleeker and new exterior colours have also been introduced; Eternal Blue Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Soul Red Metallic and Machine Gray Metallic. Representing the next level of Mazda’s premium colour palette, Machine Gray Metallic expresses the beauty of a machine’s strength and precision and achieves both high-contrast shadows and a high-density finish to give a realistic metallic feel.

Backed up by a 3-year unlimited kilometre factory warranty, the new-look Mazda3 is designed and built to the highest standard of performance and reliability. For complete peace of mind motoring; a 3-year roadside assistance, a 3-year service plan and a 5-year Corrosion Warranty are also included.

The new-look Mazda3 model range is now available at all Mazda dealers.

G-Vectoring Control system (GVC) – 2.0L Models only

The G-Vectoring Control was born of Mazda’s human-centered development philosophy and the novel idea of using the engine to enhance chassis performance. It is the world’s first control system to vary engine torque in response to steering inputs in order to provide integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces and optimize the vertical load on each wheel for smooth and efficient vehicle motion.

G-Vectoring Control detects steering inputs and slightly restricts engine torque output to shift vehicle weight forward slightly, adding more down force to the front tyres. A handling aid that aims to make racecar-like cornering precision something that every driver can enjoy, it leads to more direct handling and swifter reactions from the car which are interpreted more readily and accurately by the ‘human body’ – the driver – in control.

Advanced Safety Features – Astina Plus only

Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) – Astina Plus only

ALH has three major functions; glare-free High Beam, wide-range Low Beam and Highway mode. Glare-free High Beam recognises leading and oncoming cars, and turns off selected LEDs to avoid dazzling other drivers. When driving at speeds below 40km/h, the wide-range Low Beam expands distribution of light to increase driver’s visibility. Highway mode functions at speeds over 95km/h, increasing the distance low beam can illuminate the road behind a leading car, by controlling the axis of light.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) – Astina Plus only

The Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) detects line marking on the road surface and warns the driver of unintentional lane departures. This system is particularly effective in situations where the road is continuously straight and drivers have a tendency to not pay sufficient attention to the road. When the lane change is accompanied by turn signal operation or acceleration, the system recognises the maneuver as intentional and does not sound an alarm.

Lane Keep Assist (LKA) – Astina Plus only

The functionality of Lane Departure Warning which creates an audible alert when the vehicle is about to stray from current lane is further enhanced by LKA which adds a slight amount of torque to steer the vehicle back into the lane (operates at speeds over 65km/h).

Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) – Astina Plus only

The Smart City Brake Support system (SCBS) is a safety feature that helps prevent or lesson low speed impacts. The system monitors the vehicle in front to assess the possibility of a collision at forward speeds of 4-80km/h. In an event that the system detects a high risk of impact, it then issues visual and audible warnings and primes the brakes for a faster response should the driver brake.

Driver Attention Alert (DAA) – Astina Plus only

DAA is designed to reduce accidents caused by inattentiveness due to driver fatigue. The system is activated at speeds above 65 km/h and begins to “learn” the driver’s habits, watching inputs and the vehicle’s movements in the early stages before fatigue is a factor. Later, if the system detects changes in vehicle behaviour that suggests the driver may be losing concentration, it will suggest a rest stop by sounding a chime and displaying a warning in the Multi-Information.

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) – Also available on the Astina

The Blind Spot Monitoring gives off an audible alert in the event that a vehicle is detected in the vehicles blind spot. It assists the driver by scanning the external mirror’s blind spots. The radar is able to detect any unseen vehicles and through an LED icon alert the driver to help avoid making a hazardous lane changes.

Model Lineup and Pricing

Mazda3 1.6L Original Manual 4Dr/5Dr – R258,900 (Incl. VAT)