Reykjavik, Iceland – Nissan and the Pole to Pole expedition team have introduced an adventure-equipped version of the new Ariya electric SUV, which will embark on a 27,000 km journey from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole. The journey, set to begin in March, will take the Ariya through some of the harshest and most extreme terrains and environments in the world, including ice fields, deep snow, steep mountain climbs and inhospitable desert dunes.
Arctic Trucks, a specialist in polar expedition vehicles, worked in collaboration with Nissan design and engineering teams to prepare the Ariya for these challenging conditions. To maintain the car’s everyday capabilities, modifications to the car were kept to a minimum. The suspension was adapted and 39-inch tires were added, but the battery and powertrain remained unchanged. The Ariya’s advanced electric all-wheel-control technology, e-4ORCE, will allow the vehicle to handle the extreme terrains while providing Chris and Julie with the comfort and control they need to reach their goal.
“We take a standard production EV and aim to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real, everyday capabilities, regardless of where you are driving it,” says Chris Ramsey, Pole to Pole EV Expedition Leader. “Our Nissan Ariya is no different. The vehicle’s drivetrain and battery have remained factory standard, demonstrating just how capable and versatile the production Ariya is. We’ve modified the suspension and widened the wheel arches to benefit from the stable platform and support of the 39-inch BF Goodrich tires.”
Chris, a self-confessed coffee lover, will have access to a specially integrated espresso machine and sustainable coffee to help him stay focused during the long and isolated parts of the journey. He will also be able to capture the stunning environments through a drone that can be launched directly from the utility unit on the roof. Additionally, the team has developed a portable, renewable energy unit 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 recharge the vehicle’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, and I am really looking forward to getting the expedition underway in March,” says Julie Ramsey, co-driver on Pole to Pole. “We are 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. We are doing something that has never been attempted before, a world-first, and ultimately that is what makes it so exciting.”
