Electric Nissan Ariya ready for North Pole to South Pole adventure
Two adventurers are aiming to make history as the first people to drive from the North Pole to the South Pole.
The electric 2023 Nissan Ariya specifically modified for an expedition from the North Pole to the South Pole has been unveiled.
Almost a year after Nissan announced its plans – including digital sketches of the car – the Ariya was shown during a final shakedown run before it embarks on the 27,000km adventure.
It is reportedly the first car of any type to attempt to drive from the magnetic North Pole to the magnetic South Pole, with husband and wife team Chris and Julie Ramsey expected to endure temperatures ranging from -30 degrees to +30 degrees Celsius.
The Ariya's 87kWh battery pack and dual electric motors remain unmodified from the showroom version of the car – sending 290kW to all four wheels – though the 39-inch tyres and below-freezing temperatures are expected to significantly reduce the car's 500 kilometre range.
"One of the things that underpins all the adventures we do is that we take a standard production [electric vehicle] and aim to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real, everyday capabilities, regardless of where you are driving it," Mr Ramsey said in a media statement.
The biggest changes have reportedly been applied to the suspension, to increase the ground clearance and help accommodate the massive off-road tyres, and the addition of some wheel arches.
To charge the electric SUV in remote areas, the vehicle has been fitted with a "portable, renewable energy unit" – though exact details haven't been provided – as well as a small wind turbine and solar panels to add power while the Ramseys sleep.
The biggest luxury has been the addition of an integrated espresso machine "with a good supply of sustainable coffee," to keep the adventurers caffeinated and focused on the task, and a roof-mounted drone for photos and videos.
"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," Mrs Ramsey said.
"We are doing something that has never been attempted before, a world-first, and ultimately that is what makes it so exciting," she added.
You can follow the Ramseys' journey from the North Pole through North, Central, and South Americas before heading to Antarctica on their Instagram account, found by clicking here.
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