The unstoppable machine is already known for its capacity to overcome any extreme challenge, from driving to the North Pole to conquering the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull (we can't spell it either). But now it has added another epic journey to the list of its achievements, traveling across the coldest, most hostile environment in the world, Antarctica, to reach the South Pole.
Four Hilux transported expedition members of the Indian National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), on a 4,600 km (2800 mile) long round trip from the Novo Air Base, to the South Pole, and safely back. The excursion, that took place between November 10th and December 5th, was undertaken in order to study snow chemistry, the glacial landscapes and the bedrock hidden beneath the ice.
Arctic Trucks, the Icelandic Toyota 4x4 conversion specialists, outfitted the four Hilux vehicles for the month-long journey. The cars were subjected to extreme weather, average temperatures of below -40 degrees Celsius and peaks of -56 degrees, altitudes of over 3,400 meters (11154 feet) and the most brutal driving environment imaginable.
Necessary modifications made by Arctic trucks included adding a crane to lift heavy equipment and fuel, the use of Jet 1A fuel with additional lubricants to tackle the extreme cold, revised front/rear suspension and drivetrain, extra heating system, crawler gears, crevasse protection and the fitment of extra large tires.
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