Set amongst Arctic-like conditions, a husband-and-wife expedition team, Chris and Julie, along with Nissan, unveiled a custom version of the new Ariya electric SUV, which will undertake a 16,777-mile trip from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.
During this adventure aiming to kick off this March, the Ariya will need to cope with extreme terrains and environments, including ice fields, deep snow, steep mountain climbs and inhospitable desert dunes. Arctic Trucks, a company that specializes in polar expedition vehicles, has collaborated with Nissan design and engineering teams to prepare the Ariya for these conditions.
Modifications to the car have been intentionally minimal, with no changes to the battery or powertrain, but the most recognizable difference is the adaption of the suspension and addition of 39-in. tires. When coupled with e-4ORCE, Nissan’s advanced electric all-wheel-control technology, the company says these modifications will enable the expedition car to tackle extreme terrains while giving Chris and Julie the necessary comfort and control to reach the South Pole.
As a self-confessed coffee lover, Chris will have access to a specially integrated espresso machine with a good supply of sustainable coffee. While the on-demand caffeine will help him focus on the long and isolated parts of the journey, Chris can also capture the beauty of these spectacular environments using a drone that can launch directly from the utility unit on the roof. One other feature is the portable, renewable energy unit that will be used to charge the Ariya in the polar regions. The towable prototype includes a packable, lightweight wind turbine and solar panels that will take advantage of high winds and long daylight hours to provide charge for the EV’s battery when Chris and Julie stop to rest.
“The planning and preparation for Pole to Pole has been such a big part of our lives over the past four years, so I am really looking forward to getting the expedition underway in March. We’re going to discover so many interesting initiatives from communities and individuals who are taking positive action against climate change and I’m looking forward to sharing these experiences and stories with everyone,” Julie said. “We are doing something that has never been attempted before, a world-first, and ultimately that is what makes it so exciting.”
