‘02 Camry’s Throttle Follows BMW’s Lead

Credit where credit is due: Toyota is helping bring the exotic technology of throttle by wire to the masses with its 2002 Camry (First Drive, Highway 1, Aug. 29), but it wasn’t the first auto maker to do so.

Such systems use electronic sensors and signals to do the work of a mechanical throttle linkage, but they have been around in one design or another for years--mainly on high-end luxury and performance cars.

BMW introduced throttle by wire in 1988 on its V-12 750i luxury sedan and as of last year offered the technology on all its cars. Honda put it on the exotic Acura NSX mid-engine sports car in 1995. Volkswagen and its Audi luxury unit also have used a throttle-by-wire system on some models, first with diesel engines and more recently with gasoline.

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Nissan North America has announced that pricing for the previously reviewed 2002 Altima will start at $16,349, plus $540 delivery, for a base four-cylinder model with five-speed manual transmission (First Drive, Highway 1, July 25).

The tariff will climb to a base of $23,149 plus delivery for the upscale 3.5 SE model with V-6 engine and automatic transmission. That compares with a range of $19,455 to $25,890 for the rival Toyota Camry.

Separately, American Honda Motor said it has raised prices on its 2002 Accord and Civic cars, Odyssey minivan and Passport sport-utility vehicle.

Base price for the Accord, which competes with the Altima and the Camry, will range from $15,500 for the DX to $25,300 for the EX with a V-6 engine. Prices will range from $12,810 to $17,010 for the Civic, $24,250 to $30,250 for the Odyssey and $23,300 to $30,900 for the Passport.