Perhaps you have the seen the video below, the one where we explain how Mazda’s G Vectoring Control (GVC) work. It was a fun video to make, more so because it is a new piece of tech that’s making its first appearance in Malaysia.

Admittedly, GVC is not something one can demonstrate as effectively as, for example, VSC (Vehicle Stability System), or ABS, because GVC has a more subtle impact to the driving experience.

But make no mistake, GVC does effect driving. You see, G Vectoring Control is not a performance-increasing or safety device. Instead it is a comfort feature, but even then it is not as you would expect. Let me explain.

The most basic concept of GVC is that it makes the steering more ‘calm’ by way of a more positive front end. In a cornering scenario, the system detects that the car is going into a corner (based on steering wheel angle) and decreases engine torque. Not by a large amount, just enough to shift some weight forward to provide more grip to the front tyres.

This is a simple and effective driving manner which all drivers are already doing, but being automated, it makes the whole process quicker. And as our video proves, the steering angle is noticeably far more constant without continual driver intervention in order to maintain required trajectory.

So yes, the way GVC provides comfort is not through the suspension but rather the steering. This will be much more beneficial during long drives where incessant steering correction may cause fatigue.

The passenger, on the other hand, will feel that the cabin moves less. Again, as our pendulum test in the video proves, less work on the steering provides a calmer cabin environment. The ducks-in-a-bowl test proves the same, of course.

In short, while GVC is a system that works, you have to realise that the comfort it provides is not based on traditional ride quality parameters. This is Mazda being Mazda – innovative in ideas and execution.

GVC does not comprise of better suspension, or necessarily turns you into a better driver; and certainly not a torque vectoring system. It ensures that you don’t put too much effort in steering input (some racing drivers call this ‘sawing’ the wheel), thus making fatigue less of a potential issue as well as keeping the car steady and calm.

* The video can also be viewed in our YouTube channel by clicking these bold blue words.