Toyota conquers the South Pole

As the UK grinds to a halt under a few centimetres of snow Toyota has announced that a modified version of its Hilux pick-up has reached the South Pole. Used as support vehicles for the Amundsen Omega3 South Pole race - a 483-mile skiing challenge celebrating the historic expeditions of explorers Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott - the Hilux once again proved its go anywhere abilities.

It's not the first time Toyota has ventured across ice and snow in a quest to reach some of the most inhospitable areas in the world, a Hilux reaching the Magnetic North Pole in 2007 for a Top Gear television special.

Driving to the Poles is no easy task, even for Toyota's famously rugged and capable Hilux pick-up. The vehicles had to cope with loads of up to 2.5-tonnes, some 1.5-tonnes more than their usual towing capacity. Naturally, several modifications were required to allow them to excel in the rough frozen terrain. Arctic Trucks, a Reykjavik-based company, made the necessary changes to the pick-up. The modifications included fitting two batteries, a special exhaust system, bigger front and rear differentials, massive balloon-like tyres, additional fuel tanks, heavy duty raised suspension and a body lift and wheel arch extensions to clear the bigger wheels and tyres.

With temperatures reaching -30-degrees, the Toyotas also required fuel heaters and a snow melting system using the engine's coolant. The modified machines were praised by the scientists and support staff on the race as being preferable to snow cats thanks to their greater fuel economy and passenger carrying capacity, along with increased comfort and speed in the challenging conditions.

Toyota will happily sell you an ordinary Hilux pick-up, with prices starting at just £13,995. That's assuming you can get through the snow to one of its dealers...

Kyle Fortune