Monday 27th December 2010

Toyota Hilux Does Antarctica Fastest

Expedition to the South Pole proves 'Speed Matters' everywhere...

---

'Speed Matters' even at the South Pole, it seems, as proved by a quartet of Toyota Hilux pick-ups that have recently returned from an expedition to Antarctica.

We're told the specially prepared Toyotas helped the expedition maintain a faster average speed than any comparable effort before it, but as we don't know what that average was, we assume it was still fairly er, glacial.

So we're mainly sharing the news because we like the pictures - but the trip has thrown up some impressive factoids which you might like to redistribute over the turkey leftovers. Here's what Toyota's press release says:

"Faced with extreme weather, average temperatures of below -40oC and peaks of -56oC, altitudes of over 3,400m and the most brutal driving environment imaginable, the Hilux was selected 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 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."

So there you have it, only Santa does the South Pole faster.

[mrtwisty]

Crevasse protection? If it breaks through a crust of ice over a deeeeep wide crevasse, I'm a little perplexed as to what could be fitted to the vehicle to guard against it?

[Trusty Steed]

Damn pikey wagon!!

[poing]

mrtwisty said:

Crevasse protection? If it breaks through a crust of ice over a deeeeep wide crevasse, I'm a little perplexed as to what could be fitted to the vehicle to guard against it?

Well it uses jet fuel so I guess they just fire up the jet engine and engage hover mode.

[Fleckers]

Should have painted them white to blend in


I do like them to be honest

[B'stard Child]

mmmm tricky thread to get into this one (from general gassing anyway )

Edited by B'stard Child on Monday 27th December 12:01

[Small Car]

Like a special club. Who can get in to the secret room?

[R.P.M]

first port of call post lottery win...
http://www.arctictrucks.is/

[CraigyMc]

B'stard Child said:

mmmm tricky thread to get into this one (from general gassing anyway )

Edited by B'stard Child on Monday 27th December 12:01

How so? There's an icon and everything.

[Eggman]

There - I'm in. Interesting article - wouldn't fancy their fuel bills, though.

[The Moose]

R.P.M said:

first port of call post lottery win...
http://www.arctictrucks.is/

WOW



Cheers

The Moose

[B'stard Child]

CraigyMc said:

B'stard Child said:

mmmm tricky thread to get into this one (from general gassing anyway )

Edited by B'stard Child on Monday 27th December 12:01

How so? There's an icon and everything.

There wasn't - originally it was a thread with no title and I couldn't work out how to get in yet it was getting posts

[B'stard Child]

Small Car said:

Like a special club. Who can get in to the secret room?

Anyone now

[MonsieurX]

but it only does 184kph

[Welshwonder]

mrtwisty said:

Crevasse protection? If it breaks through a crust of ice over a deeeeep wide crevasse, I'm a little perplexed as to what could be fitted to the vehicle to guard against it?

Crevasse protection, as far as I know...

[menguin]

Welshwonder said:

mrtwisty said:

Crevasse protection? If it breaks through a crust of ice over a deeeeep wide crevasse, I'm a little perplexed as to what could be fitted to the vehicle to guard against it?

Crevasse protection, as far as I know...

Surely attaching a rope between both vehicles would be pretty good protection, similar to what people do? I'm sure one could pull the other one out, considering when you enter a crevasse you normally teeter over the edge, rather than diving straight in

[anonymous-user]

I thought the tyres would have been studded...

[Bonefish Blues]

Sheeda Pistol said:

I thought the tyres would have been studded...

Nah, standard summers will get you there with a skilled driver at the helm.

[Welshwonder]

menguin said:

Surely attaching a rope between both vehicles would be pretty good protection, similar to what people do? I'm sure one could pull the other one out, considering when you enter a crevasse you normally teeter over the edge, rather than diving straight in

If it's a fully loaded Hilux, falling, it would take more than a rope to arrest a fall. You would need a wire rope or chain. Plus, if the thing weighs 3 tons, imagine how much force you need to stop it from falling! (There is a calculation, but I don't know what it is.) Let's say you would need 30 tons to counteract it... The wire rope or chain might hold it, but you'll either pull the front end off the 'non falling' car or it's probably going to go down the same crevasse.

Much easier to attach a frame to the front, and hope the crevasse isn't wider than the reach of the frame!

[supergravity]

menguin said:

Welshwonder said:

mrtwisty said:

Crevasse protection? If it breaks through a crust of ice over a deeeeep wide crevasse, I'm a little perplexed as to what could be fitted to the vehicle to guard against it?

Crevasse protection, as far as I know...

Surely attaching a rope between both vehicles would be pretty good protection, similar to what people do? I'm sure one could pull the other one out, considering when you enter a crevasse you normally teeter over the edge, rather than diving straight in

These crevasse-bars are much better than a rope (as tested on glaciers in Iceland), factors such as the second trucks' grip and the inconvenience of having a rope between trucks traveling at 'high' speeds are important. Also the bars prevent the far edge of the crevasse to come through the front window when the truck falls through. If the crevasses are very large they can be spotted easily, the most difficult ones are ~2m wide.

These bars were also used as a crane to pull up injured traveler the expedition stumbled upon on the way.

Oh, and hello! My first post.

[davepoth]

Bonefish Blues said:

Sheeda Pistol said:

I thought the tyres would have been studded...

Nah, standard summers will get you there with a skilled driver at the helm.

Wuss. I could have done it on slicks.