TOYOTA HILUX –THE MOST RELIABLE, RAPID AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO THE SOUTH POLE
26.12.2010г
* Four Hilux travel over 4,600 km across Antarctica with temperature
down to minus 56°C and altitude of 3,400 m.
* Lower fuel consumption and higher average speed than any equivalent
Antarctic vehicle.
* Adapted by Icelandic 4x4 conversion specialists Arctic Trucks to
tackle the extreme terrain and conditions.
* 3.0-litre D-4D diesel unchanged for the expedition, demonstrating
legendary Hilux Quality, Durability and Reliability
If Santa didn’t already have Rudolf and a flying sledge he would need a
Toyota Hilux. The unstoppable
Toyota Hilux is already renowned for its
capacity to overcome any extreme challenge,from driving to the North Pole
to conquering the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Now, the Hilux has
successfully completed yet another extraordinary journey, travelling across
the coldest, most hostile environment in the world, Antarctica, to reach
the South Pole.
Between 10th November and 5th December 2010, four Hilux transported
expedition members of the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean
Research (NCAOR) − studying snow chemistry, the glacial landscapes and
the bedrock hidden beneath the ice − on a 4,600 km round trip from Novo
Air Base, to the South Pole, and safely back.
The four Hilux vehicles were adapted by Icelandic
Toyota 4x4 conversion
specialists, Arctic Trucks, for the month-long expedition. Arctic Trucks
has long ranked the Hilux its first choice amongst equivalent vehicles
thanks to its proven, 40 year record of Quality, Durability and Reliability
(QDR) under even the most extreme driving conditions.
Faced with extreme weather, average temperatures of below -40oC and peaks
of -56oC, altitudes of over 3,400 m and the most brutal driving environment
imaginable, NCAOR selected the Hilux for this remarkable expedition as it
combines several exceptional attributes essential to survival on the
world’s harshest continent.
Firstly, given the extreme conditions, it has proven very low comparable
fuel consumption of 5.65mpg. Even with the use of less energy-efficient
Jet 1A fuel, the vehicle engine running 24/7 and running extra heating
system constantly on, this figure is 5 to 8 times lower than that achieved
by tracked vehicles. This significantly reduces both transported fuel loads
and fuel costs (one barrel of oil in Antarctica can cost $10,000). With
this fuel efficiency, the expedition could rely on only one refueling
point, established some 1,500 km from the journey starting point - Maitri
Antarctica station.
Secondly, the Hilux has a uniquely high load carrying capacity. It
combines a low unladen weight of just 2.2 tons with a payload capacity of
1.5 tons and a towing capacity of 3 tons – an essential attribute when
carrying the expedition equipment, spare parts and participants, as well as
1,280 litres of fuel per vehicle.
Thirdly, this expedition maintained a faster average speed than any
comparable expedition had previously attained.
Necessary modifications made by Arctic trucks included the integration of
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 tyres with a pressure as low as
20 psi (regular Hilux tyres have a pressure of 20.9 psi)
Източник: Автопрес