Reykjavík, Iceland – Amid arctic conditions, the Pole to Pole expedition team and Nissan today unveiled a new version of the all-electric Nissan Ariya SUV. The 4×4 model prepared for adventures will cover a journey of 27,000 km from the Magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.
During this epic adventure, which starts in March, the Nissan Ariya will face extreme and breathtaking environments and terrains, including ice fields, thick snow, steep mountain climbs and dunes in inhospitable deserts. Arctic Trucks, a specialist in vehicles for polar expeditions, worked closely with Nissan’s engineering and design teams to prepare the Ariya for these difficult conditions.
Modifications made to the car were intentionally minimal. Battery or engine were not modified, but the most noticeable difference is the adaptation of the suspension and inclusion of 39-inch tires. Coupled with Nissan’s advanced e-4ORCE electric all-wheel drive technology, these modifications will allow the expedition car to tackle extreme terrain, giving Chris and Julie the control and comfort needed to reach the South Pole.
Chris Ramsey, Pole to Pole Electric Expedition Leader, commented: “One of the things that underpin all adventures with a series production electric vehicle is to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real day-to-day capabilities, regardless of where you are driving. We’ve done the same with our Nissan Ariya, as the drivetrain and battery remain standard from the factory, demonstrating just how versatile and capable the production Ariya is. We modified the suspension and widened the wheel arches to take advantage of the stable platform and allow for tire installation. I am truly excited to be behind the wheel of a vehicle that was already amazing, but now feels well equipped to reach the ends of the Earth in style!”
Admittedly passionate about coffee, Chris will have a specially integrated espresso machine and a good stock of sustainably sourced coffee on board. While the caffeine at hand will help the explorer on his long journey through the isolated areas of the planet, pilot Chris will also be able to capture images of the beauty of these spectacular environments using a drone that can take off directly from the support area located on the vehicle roof.
Another innovation is the portable renewable energy unit that will be used to recharge the Ariya in the polar regions. The towable prototype includes a small compressible wind turbine and solar panels that will take advantage of strong winds and long hours of sunlight to recharge the electric vehicle’s battery while Chris and Julie stop to rest.
Julie Ramsey, co-pilot for the Pole to Pole expedition, commented: “The planning and preparation for the ‘Pole to Pole’ expedition has taken up a large part of our daily lives over the past four years, so I’m really looking forward to starting our adventure in March. We will find several interesting initiatives from communities and individuals who are taking positive action against climate change. I can’t wait to share these experiences and stories with everyone. We are going to do something that has never been attempted before – it’s a first worldwide – and that’s exactly what makes this expedition so exciting”.
Find out more about the Pole to Pole expedition, including the latest updates on the team’s preparations for this epic adventure, on our dedicated page here.
Follow Chris Ramsey for updates as he prepares for the expedition Field is Field em