What is i-Activ AWD?
January 20 2023,
Every new Mazda vehicle except the MX-5 and the MX-30 EV is available with the i-Activ all-wheel drive system. Here is how it works and a few of its advantages.
What it is
The i-Activ all-wheel drive system that is standard in every Mazda SUV and available in the Mazda 3 is a reactive system that monitors the road 200 times per second in order to detect the slightest bit of slippage from the front wheels. When slippage is detected, the center coupling is activated in order to send a varying proportion of the engine’s power to the rear wheels to provide more grip and increase the vehicle’s stability. Unlike other reactive systems, this one is also able to predict when slippage is likely to occur, such as in low temperatures, when the steering wheel is turned, or when the windshield wipers are activated.
How it improves safety
The i-Activ AWD system in Mazda vehicles makes it safer to drive on slippery roads and in inclement weather by providing an additional level of grip and stability when accelerating. This is because the all-wheel drive system is paired with both traction control and stability control, two technologies that constantly monitor each wheel’s speed and the angle of the steering wheel. If one or more wheel starts to spin, such as when driving on ice, the all-wheel drive system sends power to the rear axle and the traction and stability controls apply the brakes to the individual wheels that have lost their grip in order to keep the vehicle in its trajectory.
How it improves performance
The Mazda i-Activ all-wheel drive system is also beneficial for spirited drivers because it increases the level of performance of the vehicles it is installed into. This is because AWD makes it possible to transfer the engine’s power to the road more effectively than in a 2WD vehicle, especially around curves. In addition, the i-Activ system uses the G-Vectoring Control technology in order to improve handling around curves by slightly braking the appropriate wheel to straighten the car when exiting a corner.
