Nissan Ariya to tackle North to South Pole expedition

Nissan has unveiled a specially prepared version of its all-electric 2023 Nissan Ariya SUV that’s primed to tackle a Pole-to-Pole expedition.

Developed in partnership with British-based extreme off-road experts Arctic Trucks, the Ariya has been substantially modified – although Nissan stresses that the EV’s dual-motor powertrain and battery pack are unchanged from the standard version.

That means the Arctic Ariya makes do with 290kW and 600Nm and Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system.

Most of the work has been concentrated on developing a long-travel high-lift suspension kit and adapting the EV’s body to house massive 39-inch all-terrain BF Goodrich tyres.

Those tyres are essential to tackle the most inhospitable environments that will see the Nissan Ariya traverse ice fields, deep snow, steep mountains and desert dunes over the 27,000km it will take to travel from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.

Claimed to be a world-first attempt for an electric car, the two budding adventurers involved are husband-and-wife team Chris and Julie Ramsey.

Special on-board equipment fitted for the journey include an espresso maker and a drone that will be used to capture some of the most beautiful and inhospitable parts of the journey.

It will also tow a renewable power station that packages a wind turbine and solar panels to take advantage of the high winds and near 24-hour sunlight to charge the Ariya when the Ramseys are hundreds of kilometres away from civilisation (and a charging point).

Commenting on the challenges ahead, Julie Ramsey said: “We’re 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.”

Not disclosed is the effect the big wheel and tyre pack and bluffer aerodynamics have taken on the standard Ariya’s 459km range (with the 87kWh battery fitted).

It’s estimated that with the added burden of the trailer the EV’s range might have almost halved.

This isn’t the first time Nissan has modified its Ariya; the SUV turned up at the recent 2023 SEMA show in Surfwagon guise.

Alas, there’s still no confirmed launch date for the Nissan Ariya in Australia.

Originally expected back in March 2022, Aussie customers could now be waiting until late 2023 or even into 2024 before it hits the road here.

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