We’ve seen the Toyota Hilux, modified by extreme-weather specialists Arctic Trucks, reach the North Pole, and the Icelandic volcano, (10 points if you can pronounce it) Eyjafjallajökull. Now, the Hilux has taken on the challenge of reaching the South Pole again, and in doing so, has set the bar for average speed on an expedition.
From November 10 to December 5 this year, four of the modified Hiluxes took expedition members of the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) on a 4,600 km round trip from Novo Air Base, to the South Pole, and back.
Because diesel wouldn’t survive the freezing temperatures, the Hiluxes ran on Jet 1A fuel with additional lubricants, however the 3.0-litre diesel engines remained completely stock. Considering the temperature dropped to below minus 50 degrees, the engines had to be running the entire trip and were powering additional heating equipment.
Fuel consumption for the trip might seem excessive at 41.6-litres/100km, however we’re told that this is up to eight times lower than a comparable track-equipped expedition vehicle. Each vehicle carried 1280 litres of fuel, meaning only one fuel stop was necessary – far less than is usually required.
The journey was also completed with a faster average speed than any expedition previous.
One thing’s for sure: if it’s extreme conditions you’re faced with, Arctic Trucks will be your first port of call.
