New 2017 Mazda 3 Facelift Launched In Thailand – Now With G-Vectoring Control

Three years after its launch, the new facelifted Mazda 3 has made its regional debut in Thailand. At a glance, the new Mazda 3 looks very similar to the outgoing model, which is actually a good thing for existing owners concerned about the resale value of the Mazda 3.

The most obvious difference with the new Mazda 3 is its new front-end.

Similar to the facelifted Mazda CX-5 and updated Mazda 2, the new Mazda 3’s headlamps are now LED, featuring the same multi-segment LED daytime running light pattern as its other Mazda siblings. The front bumper and grille have also been given newer, tauter look.

Thailand also gets a new Eternal Blue Mica colour but Soul Red will remain as the model’s communication colour.

Offered in four variants in Thailand, the new Mazda 3 is priced between 847,000 Baht and 1,119,000 Baht.

While it might look very similar to the outgoing model, don’t for a moment assume that Mazda have not done much to update the Mazda 3.

Inside, the new Mazda 3’s interior have been updated with a new Heads-Up Display, which Mazda refers to as Active Driving Display. The new setup splits driving information into two sections – top for driving environment and bottom for vehicle information.

A new free-standing infotainment display screen, new steering wheel with more ergonomically designed control buttons, as well as an electric parking brake now replace the previous model’s mechanical handbrake.

Under the bonnet is still the same 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine paired to a 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive torque converter automatic transmission.

The biggest technical highlight of the new Mazda 3 is the inclusion of G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology – a rather big name for a function that ironically, designed to function in a way to the driver doesn’t even realize it working behind the scenes.

The purpose of GVC is to reduce fatigue for the occupants. It does so minimizing any unnecessary lateral and longitudinal motion felt by the car’s occupants when the car accelerates or takes a corner.

In Mazda’s own words, GVC varies engine torque in response to steering inputs in order to provide integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces. It optimizes the vertical load on each wheel to make the motion of the vehicle smoother, more natural and in tune with bodily sensations.

As our Malaysian-market Mazda 3 are locally-assembled at Mazda Malaysia’s assembly facility in Kulim, Kedah, there will be some delay between the new Mazda 3’s introduction in Thailand and its eventual debut in Malaysia.

*Pics courtesy of our sister-site in Thailand, Autospinn.com