Toyota has demonstrated a new safety system -- the Pre-Collision System -- designed for cases when accident avoidance isn't an option.

Pre-Collision uses radar and an array of antennas and sensors to scan the road some 500 feet ahead, searching for possible collisions. The system also reads speed, steering angle and yaw rate and when it determines a collision is imminent, it tightens the belts, puts brake assist on alert and hunkers down the suspension. (A similar system on certain Mercedes-Benz models, called Pre-Safe, tightens seatbelts, adjusts seat backs and closes windows and the sunroof when it senses an imminent collision).

The system is now available for the Lexus GS and LS models.

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