Stability and traction controls for Camry range

As if Camry weren't already the top selling car in the medium segment, Toyota has just found one more reason for buyers to go with it.

All models of Camry are now fitted with VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and traction control. The former uses brakes and vehicle stability monitoring to ensure that the car is tracking consistent with driver input.

To put it in plain words, the car will apply braking effort to the wheels independently, in order to correct or prevent a slide.

Electronic stability programs are the latest silver bullet for the road toll. Unlike passive safety measures such as airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, VSC -- which is basically the same system as Mercedes-Benz's ESP -- actively prevents an accident occurring in the first place.

The now-standard traction control ensures that heavy throttle use will not result in wheelspin and consequent loss of traction. It's a safety feature of course, but also helps prevent the vehicle from being bogged in low friction situations and optimises acceleration on the road.

The current 40 Series Camry was launched with these two items fitted as standard to the flagship Grande, but a year later -- from August 2007 production -- all other Camry models will also boast these systems as standard.

Within current technology and production constraints, the Camry is now fully equipped for safety and provides the buyer with a system Toyota has named 'Active Braking with Intelligence' (AB-i). This is a bundle of different primary (active) safety systems, including ABS, Brake Assist and EBD.

Camry's active safety equipment now matches that of the V6-engined Aurion, which is also equipped with standard VSC and traction control. The new features come at a price, with the Camry Altise rising $490, Ateva and Sportivo rising $750.

Along with the safety upgrade, the revised Camry also introduces three new colours, Tungsten, Sakana (N/A Sportivo) and Inferno (Sportivo only).

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