This is a one-off, purpose built vehicle designed to travel the severe winter weather of Antarctica and set a land speed record to the South Pole. In 2011, Jason De Carteret, a renowned adventurist, using "Polar" broke two Guinness records crossing the Antarctic ice cap from Patriot Hills to the South Pole and back: 39 hours and 54 minutes, at an average speed of 27.9mph! This project was underwritten by both Thomson Reuters and the Discovery Channel. The link below to the Discovery Channel will tell you the complete story:
About World's Toughest Drive on DiscoveryUK.com
Read more about Jason de Carteret here:
Jason De Carteret | Record-breaking Expedition Leader, Speaker and Consultant
Polar began life as a 2010 Toyota Tacoma purchased at Sparks Toyota in South Carolina. As the truck was intended to be both the ultimate off-road vehicle and one that could easily run around town, every aspect was designed and engineered for ultimate reliability, as there were no support vehicles to assist during the record setting run. Ian Nisbett in London led the design team:
Ian Nisbett Design | Industrial and Transportation Design Consultants
While Kieron Bradley of Lotus Engineering led the technical team:
About Lotus Engineering | Lotus Cars
The powerplant is a standard 4L V6, gasoline engine which was then supercharged by TRD (Toyota Racing Development). The engine now produces 341 bhp. The transmission was specially calibrated to allow for the extra hp and torque, as well as the high, low and standard gears added. The suspension and undercarriage are simply incredible to behold: built by Marconi, a world-renowned specialist, it features custom prop shafts and separate locking front and rear air differentials.
The body is all steel, ranging from 9-12mm (military strength) thickness. Each panel is custom fabricated and hand-welded.
The dashboard, doors, windows are standard Toyota Tacoma. Polar has four racing seats (the rears capable of accepting child seats) and harnesses. The cabin is fully insulated, lined with steel for extreme protection, and has a full rollcage. It is fitted with 4 HD camera's, 3 inside the cab and one outside and two GPS devices - one is a large mapping unit which functions as a secondary speedometer, the other unit is a normal Satnav that links via Bluetooth to the engine management system. The navigation menus still contain the routing through Iceland (testing ground) and for the South Pole run!
Polar runs on any type of unleaded gasoline, held in a series of seven separate internal tanks with a total capacity of ~330 gallons. Its range is more than 6,000 miles! It can even be fuelled directly from a barrel.
Its power system consists of two heavy amperage standard batteries, with a parallel solar panel (roof mounted) system, that is engaged from the cockpit. There is also a Webasto engine heater.
Polar's custom made three piece wheels are shod with 44" Dick Cepek tires. Air compression is provided onboard from either the front or rear grilles and integrated hoses.
A 9 ton winch plugs into either grille in seconds.
Polar is additionally fitted and sold with:
Custom crevasse bar, removable for city driving
Custom roof rack
OEM wheels and tires
Extensive spares package
The most unique and successful concept truck ever built, Polar cost more than $400,000 to create. World famous, sure to draw attention anywhere you drive it, it is truly one of a kind.
Polar is titled and road registered (plated) in Michigan, and is available for sale and export anywhere in the world. Extensive additional documentation, including all technical specs and design drawings, are available upon request. Both Guinness World Record certificates are included with the sale.
Own a true piece of history today!
