Business Notes AUTOS

Those ever inventive Japanese automakers have come up with another innovation on their cars: back wheels that turn right and left, just like front wheels. Four-wheel steering, or 4WS, first appeared in Japan two years ago on Nissan's high-performance Skyline autos. Now an advanced version of 4WS is being offered to Japanese car buyers, by Honda on its latest Prelude two-door and by Mazda on its luxury Capella.

With 4WS, all four wheels of the auto move with the turn of the steering wheel. The arc of the rear wheels, though, is never more than 5 degrees, vs. 30 degrees for the front wheels. That is enough to improve maneuverability at low speeds. At high speeds, 4WS markedly reduces the risk of skidding when a driver changes lanes, for example.

Nissan charges about $350 for 4WS in Japan, while Mazda demands a daunting $1,000. Mazda intends to export its 4WS Capella to the U.S. and Europe next year.