The Best New Technologies of the Year, According to AJAC
At the Montreal Auto Show, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada unveiled their winners of the Best New Technology Awards for 2017.
In the Best New Technology – Innovation category, Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control took top honours. This software enhances the vehicles’ feel of stability and smoothness by controlling engine power in almost imperceptible time frames to shift the weight balance of the car. It also helps cut down driver fatigue by reducing steering corrections. Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control system is now available in the 2017 Mazda3, and will be in future products such as the 2017 Mazda CX-5.
- Also: Mazda G-Vectoring Control: Cornering Without Effort
- Also: 2017 Mazda CX-5: new and improved, with a diesel engine too
Other technology finalists in the innovation category are Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine and General Motors’ Position Sensitive Spool Valve Dampers.
In the Best New Technology – Safety category, it’s Volvo’s Pro Pilot II system with Large Animal Detection and Run-Off Mitigation that was chosen. This technology can drive the vehicle by itself at speeds of up to 130 km/h and can maintain the car in its lane. In addition, the density of animals such as deer, moose and coyotes is detected within a range of approximately 200 metres, and if the system determines they pose a danger, it will alert the driver. The system will equip the brand’s new models, such as the 2017 Volvo S90.
Other technology finalists in the safety category are General Motors’ OnStar ProActive Alerts, General Motors’ Rear Seat Reminder, Mercedes-Benz’s PRE-SAFE Sound suite, Subaru’s Global Platform and Toyota’s Safety Sense P suite.
AJAC’s Canadian Car of the Year finalists unveiled
At the Montreal Auto Show, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada also announced the three finalists for the 2017 Canadian Car of the Year Award as well as the three finalists for the 2017 Canadian Utility Vehicle Award.
For the Canadian Car of the Year title, the finalists are the BMW M2, the Hyundai Elantra and the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. As for the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year title, the finalists are the Chrysler Pacifica, the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Subaru Forester.
The overall winners of these two awards will be unveiled on February 16 at the Toronto Auto Show.