AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Arctic Trucks Toyota Hilux AT44 6x6 in South Pole

The third Antarctic expedition took place from in conjunction with the South Pole ski race between Germany and Austria. For this expedition, two new AT44 6x6 undertook their maiden trip to the South Pole along with two new AT44‘s. 

Additionally two of the 2008 vehicles were used to support and film the ski teams for the first 150km from Novo up to the high plateau from where an airplane flew them to 320km from the South Pole where the actual race started. 

Story by Lluís Astier / 4A Press    

Photos by Arctic Trucks

From Arctic Trucks, Gisli Jonsson and Aron Reynisson joined the team as expert driver/mechanics and Guðmundur Guðjonsson as driver/paramedic. Film crew from the German ZDF and Austrian ORF accompanied the competitors.

The companies Arctic Trucks, Oberaigner and Travel Star agreed on cooperate for the development and production of the Hilux 6x6. Oberaigner, a highly respected OME supplier of drive trains to Daimler, launched the 6x6 Mercedes Sprinter to be produced in South Africa with its partner Travel Star. Oberaigner has supplied Arctic Trucks with the center axle for the 6x6 prototype Hilux.

Based on a proven 6x6 Hilux with 33 inch tires, Arctic Trucks added the 6x6 Hilux with 44 inch tires (AT44 6x6) to the product range. The advantage of the 6x6 version over the 4x4 are higher load capacity and improved towing ability. The large deck can be fitted with various modules for carrying people, equipment, sleeping arrangement etc. The extra large fuel tanks (400 liters) double the driving range. With more traction the 6x6 have greater pulling capacity in difficult road conditions.

The new drive line of the 6x6 has been designed to maintain the exceptional reliability of the vehicle. These massive tires will be deflated to as low as 2psi to maximize the grip on the snow and ice.

The 6x6 can be ordered with any of the AT conversions and is powered by the same 3.0 D-4D engine. Rear brakes are drums on both axles and coil spring suspension is used on all wheels. The 6x6 is 6.365mm long and offers 100% differential locks on all axles. Other features on the 6x6 include extra heavy duty fuel and air filtration, a five speed automatic gearbox with crawler gear and 480 mm ground clearance.

The first test vehicle was built as a prototype for a military tender for Norway and Sweden. This vehicle was tested extensively with excellent results. The vehicles used for the recent trip to Antarctica benefited from both this rigorous testing and the company’s knowledge gained from previous expeditions to the Southern continent. However, it was the first time they’d equipped a 6x6 with 44 inch tires and, due to the fixed deadline for the race, there was only extremely limited time for testing the vehicle.

As diesel fuel turns into non-flowing gel at sub zero temperatures, the Toyota Hilux ran on Jet 1A fuel with special additional lubricants. With temperatures regularly dropping below minus 50 degrees, the 3.0 liter diesel engines had to be running during the entire trip and were powering additional heating equipments, also. The 41.6 liters/100 km fuel consumption for the trip might seem excessive, however we’re told that this is up to eight times lower than of a comparable track-equipped expedition vehicle. Each vehicle carried 1280 liters of fuel, meaning only one fuel stop was necessary.

First reports on the performance of the vehicles in Antarctica were encouraging. Not only did they take in some extremely heavy loads but they made it to the South Pole and back to Novo with no mechanical problems and crossed areas of sastrugi with ease. The new Arctic Trucks 6x6 managed to improve safety under extreme road and weather conditions while increasing comfort and fuel efficiency.

"Creating the 6x6 has been our biggest challenge to date and we were excited by the prospect of being a part of such a momentous event," said Emil Grimsson, of Arctic Trucks. "This is a huge step forward in off-road engineering and allowed us to provide the best possible support for the brave competitors."