A Nissan Alya with 39-inch tires has traveled from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Posted on February 02, 2023
Modified
A Nissan Alya with 39-inch tires has traveled from the North Pole to the South Pole.

To prove the capabilities of EVs, a modified Nissan Alya electric crossover will travel from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.

The 16,777-mile, 10-month journey will begin in March, Nissan announced Wednesday. The Ariya has been modified with 39-inch BF Goodrich tires, enlarged wheel arches (to clear the new tires), and suspension changes, but the powertrain and battery pack will remain unmodified.

Running Aaliyah from pole to pole will be the husband-and-wife team of Chris and Julie Ramsey, who previously completed the 10,563-mile Mongolia Rally in a Nissan LEAF. With the exception of larger tires, modifications to the Alya were kept to a minimum in order to showcase the basic capabilities of the vehicle.

"One of the things that underlies every adventure we undertake is that we aim to use a standard production EV, make minimal changes, and clearly demonstrate its true everyday capabilities, regardless of where you drive it," Chris Ramsey said in a statement.

One change unrelated to capability is a built-in espresso machine for coffee-loving Chris. Aliya's roof box also has a drone launch pad, and the crossover tows a trailer with portable solar panels and a wind turbine to provide energy to recharge Aliya when it is stopped.

The Ariya used for the expedition is equipped with an e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system incorporating dual motors and torque vectoring. Peak output in the U.S. is 389 hp, compared to 214 hp for the single-motor, front-wheel-drive Ariya. Nissan began selling the front-wheel-drive Ariya in the U.S. last fall, but the all-wheel-drive model will not be available until later this year.

You may also like

GM to discontinue UltraCruise brand and integrate technology into SuperCruise.
GM to discontinue UltraCruise brand and integrate technology into SuperCruise.

General Motors has abandoned plans to introduce a new "Ultra Cruise" brand, a further evolution of the "Super Cruise" automated driving assist feature...

Jan 24

Rivian Receives Patent for Roof Rail Lighting System
Rivian Receives Patent for Roof Rail Lighting System

Rivian has filed two patent applications for integrated lighting on the roof rails of electric pickup trucks and SUVs.The two applications show slight...

Jan 28

1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo with prototype active suspension goes to auction
1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo with prototype active suspension goes to auction

In the 1980s, Lotus was developing active suspension for both race and road cars. One of its prototype road cars is being offered at the Anglia Car Au...

Jan 26

Trending

2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Update Revealed
2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Update Revealed

Porsche's latest 911 GT3 Touring has just been introduced as a 2022 model, but an updated version has been spotted testing.The update appears to be a ...

Jan 26

U.S. Postal Service to Purchase Six Canoe Electric Delivery Vans
U.S. Postal Service to Purchase Six Canoe Electric Delivery Vans

Canoo announced Thursday that it will sell six electric delivery vans to the U.S. Postal Service.The vans, which will be delivered to the Postal Servi...

Jan 25

Rivian Receives Patent for Roof Rail Lighting System
Rivian Receives Patent for Roof Rail Lighting System

Rivian has filed two patent applications for integrated lighting on the roof rails of electric pickup trucks and SUVs.The two applications show slight...

Jan 28