The team, known as MLAE (Marine Live-Ice Automobile Expedition) managed to travel a whopping 2,485 miles over a span of 70 days, navigating across a sea of ice floes and temperatures that averaged -29 degrees Fahrenheit! According to Phys.org, the brightly colored vehicles used were built from multiple parts and components, and were powered by 2.0L Toyota diesel engines. They were specially designed to handle the extreme climate conditions, with over-inflated tires that could drive across the ice or float when needed at roughly six miles per hour. Three metric tons of diesel fuel were brought by the scientists to complete their entire trip. To put things in perspective, the length of the MLAE would be the equivalent of coasting across the United States from Jacksonville, Florida to Los Angeles, California. If you were to make the same drive in a Prius (averaging 50 MPG), you'd be able to finish the trip much faster and efficiently- on a little over four tanks of gas, in two to three days!
Besides the opportunity to encounter polar bears, walruses, and see the Aurora Borealis (all three of which they did), the scientists mainly wanted to test the ability of their vehicles to make such a lengthy trip. After finding success and reaching Resolute Bay, they were welcomed with applause, and then left their vehicles in garages, which will be picked up next year in February and driven back to Russia. Before setting out again, they plan to discuss the possibility of producing commercial vehicles of the prototypes that were used to cross the North Pole.
Would you make a journey like that if given the chance? Or have you ever been in a situation where your Toyota pulled through despite nasty weather or conditions? Share your thoughts below!
