October 15, 2021 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

WATCH: This is how autonomous cars will talk to each other

vuyi on October 15, 2021

For more than a century, internal combustion engines have provided the soundtrack to cities.

Walking through a city centre, the noise is constantly there. It’s a part of life in the city – and in the suburbs too. Those sounds – while annoying to some – are vital for safety. There are other aspects of driving today that bolster safety too – thanks to a language of human-to-human communication.

Take, for instance, the eye contact between road users that establishes the fact that “yes, I see you” or that friendly “go ahead” wave. But what if a car no longer makes a noise and it has no driver? What then? Autonomous cars will still have to communicate with pedestrians and cyclists – we just have to create a new, universal language for them.

Here Mikael Ljung Aust, senior technical leader for collision avoidance functions at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, points out some of the challenges and the solutions.

Special Defender bull bar deal for the holidays

vuyi on October 15, 2021

Land Rover South Africa is offering a special deal on Genuine Accessory bull bars for Defender customers this holiday season.

From now until 21 December, customers who purchase an Accessory bull bar for their Defender 90 or 110 will receive an R11,500 discount and a 2,573-piece LEGO Technic New Defender model valued at R3,000 thrown in for good measure.

The Genuine Accessory bull bar is available for Defenders specified with air suspension, and it is not available for X-Dynamic models. The regular price of an Accessory bull bar is R47,277 including fitment, but with the discount a customer will pay R35,777 until 21 December.

The bull bar is an alternative to the front expedition protection system or ‘A’ frame protection bar. Mounted to the front bumper via a winch cradle, it provides extra vehicle protection from disabling damage to the vehicle from impacts, allowing the vehicle and passengers to continue their journey to the nearest point of safety. A winch can be fitted to the bull bar cradle without the requirement of a winch mounting kit.

The LEGO Technic vehicle echoes New Defender with a host of realistic elements and functions, including authentic body panels and rims, four-wheel drive with three differentials, fully independent suspension, a working winch and LEGO Technic’s most sophisticated gearbox yet – all designed to provide an engrossing and rewarding building experience for car lovers and LEGO fans alike.