It shouldn't have worked. Really. Taking a 3-ton Hilux across a shifting, cracking ice field toward the Magnetic North Pole sounds like a fever dream conjured up in a pub, which, knowing Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman, it probably was. When the Top Gear Polar Special aired in 2007, it didn't just break the mold for automotive television; it basically set the mold on fire and threw it into a crevasse. People still talk about it today because it wasn't just a "car show" episode. It was a high-stakes survival film that just happened to feature a fridge full of gin and tonic.
The premise was simple but borderline suicidal. Jeremy Clarkson and James May would drive a specially modified Toyota Hilux from Resolute, Nunavut, to the 1996 location of the North Magnetic Pole. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond would attempt the same journey the old-fashioned way: a dog sled pulled by a team of Matis huskies, led by the veteran explorer Matty McNair.
The Truck That Defied the Arctic
The real star of the Top Gear Polar Special wasn't Clarkson’s banter or May’s navigation. It was the red Toyota Hilux. This wasn't your standard farm truck. To survive temperatures that routinely dipped below -65°C, the team turned to Arctic Trucks, an Icelandic company that specializes in making vehicles survive where physics says they shouldn't.
They fitted massive 38-inch tires that ran at incredibly low pressures—sometimes as low as 2 or 3 psi. Why? Because you aren't driving on the snow; you're floating on it. If you cut through the crust, you're dead. The suspension was entirely reworked, the fuel tanks were expanded to 280 liters, and the engine was modified to handle the brutal cold. Even the fuel itself was a custom mix of diesel and avgas to prevent it from turning into a useless jelly in the lines.
Honestly, watching that truck bounce over "sastrugi"—those wind-blown waves of hard ice—makes you realize how close they were to a mechanical disaster at every second. If a ball joint snaps out there, you don't call AAA. You wait for a Twin Otter plane to hopefully find a flat enough spot to land before you freeze.
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The Dog Sled vs. The Internal Combustion Engine
While Jeremy was complaining about the lack of luxury, Richard Hammond was genuinely suffering. There’s a raw honesty in the footage of Hammond struggling with the dogs. It wasn't just a "bit" for the cameras. Dog sledding is physically exhausting, and unlike a truck, you can't just turn a key and go. You have to feed them, keep them from fighting, and manage their morale.
Matty McNair, their guide, is a legend for a reason. She’s reached both poles and knows that the Arctic doesn't care about your filming schedule. While the truck could cover 50 miles in a good stint, the dogs were limited by biology. The contrast was stark: the roar of a 3.0-liter diesel engine versus the rhythmic panting of 10 huskies in a silent, white void.
What the Cameras Didn't Always Show
The Top Gear Polar Special made it look like a three-man circus, but the logistics were a nightmare. They had a support crew of several other Arctic Trucks, a film crew freezing their fingers off, and a constant fear of polar bears.
One of the most intense moments—and one that sparked some controversy back in the UK—was the "gin and tonic" incident. Clarkson and May were shown sipping drinks while "driving" through the wilderness. While the BBC Trust later gave them a slap on the wrist for showing "drinking and driving," it's important to realize they were in a place where "roads" don't exist. They were navigating a frozen ocean. The real danger wasn't a DUI; it was the 4,000-foot deep water lurking under a few feet of ice.
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The "Thin Ice" Nightmare
There is a sequence where the truck has to navigate a field of thin ice blocks. It looks sketchy on TV, but the reality was worse. If that truck had broken through, the weight would have dragged it down instantly. There is no "swimming out" of a cab in gear that weighs 40 pounds when the water is -2°C.
The production team used a "lead" vehicle to scout the path, but even then, the ice is dynamic. It moves. It cracks. It groans. You can hear it in the episode—that deep, haunting "booming" sound of the ice shifting. It’s the sound of the earth reminding you that you don't belong there.
Why This Episode Changed TV Forever
Before the Top Gear Polar Special, car reviews were mostly about 0-60 times and boot space. This episode proved that a car could be a character in an epic narrative. It paved the way for the later specials in Botswana, Vietnam, and South America.
It also solidified the "three-man" chemistry. You had the arrogant powerhouse (Clarkson), the meticulous but slow craftsman (May), and the gritty underdog (Hammond). When Jeremy and James finally reached the pole, it wasn't just a victory for Toyota; it was a bizarrely emotional moment. They were the first people to ever drive a car to the North Magnetic Pole. That’s a genuine historical footnote achieved by a guy who usually spends his time making fun of Peugeots.
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The Environmental Backlash
It wasn't all praise, though. Environmental groups were rightfully concerned about the impact of driving heavy machinery across the Arctic. The show countered by arguing they were following established routes and that the footprint was minimal compared to the scientific expeditions that frequent the area. Whether you agree or not, the special highlighted the fragility of the Arctic ice cap in a way a dry documentary might not have. You see the ridges, the open "leads" of water, and the sheer scale of the melting ice.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Travelers
If you’re obsessed with this episode and want to experience even a fraction of it, you don't necessarily have to risk your life.
- Check out Arctic Trucks: The company is very much real. They offer experiences in Iceland where you can drive the "big-wheel" Hiluxes and Land Cruisers across glaciers. It’s the closest most of us will ever get to being Jeremy Clarkson without the wardrobe of denim.
- Understand the "1996 Pole": A common point of confusion is why they went to the "1996" pole. The Magnetic North Pole moves constantly due to changes in the Earth's core. In 2007, the actual pole was much further north, likely in even more dangerous, impassable ice. They targeted a specific coordinate that had been certified as the pole years prior to make the "race" feasible.
- Watch the Director's Cut: If you’ve only seen the broadcast version, find the extended cut. It includes much more footage of the mechanical struggles and the sheer boredom that comes with Arctic travel. Boredom is the real killer out there.
The Top Gear Polar Special remains the high-water mark for the series. It was the moment the show stopped being about cars and started being about the human spirit—and how much punishment a Toyota can take before it gives up. It never did.
To truly appreciate the engineering involved, look into the specific tire technology used by the Icelandic teams. They utilize a "bead-lock" system that prevents the tire from slipping off the rim even when the air pressure is almost zero. This allows the tire to "wrap" around obstacles rather than bouncing over them. If you’re planning any kind of overlanding or off-road build, the lessons learned from the Polar Special regarding weight distribution and thermal management are still the gold standard for extreme cold-weather vehicle preparation. Don't forget to pack a heavy-duty heater for the engine block; at -40°C, oil has the consistency of peanut butter, and without a pre-heater, your expedition ends before it starts.