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Cars > Off-Road

Dig these opulent SUVs modified for arctic weather?

Take on harsh winter storms in the lap of luxury

Who says arctic expeditions can't be done in a luxury car? INSTAGRAM POST BY ABIMELEC ARELLANO

Remember a special episode of a certain motoring television show where Jeremy Clarkson and James May used a modified Toyota Hilux to race Richard Hammond (who was on a dogsled) to the magnetic North Pole? Needless to say, the Hilux proved to be quite the capable car even if it wasn’t the most luxurious vehicle for the job.

That was in 2007, when trucks and SUVs were more utilitarian than opulent like they are today. Now, we’re seeing über-luxurious offerings such as the Bentley Bentayga and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. And then, you have vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus and the Audi RS Q8 that offer supercar-like performance in a family-friendly package.

Digital artist Abimelec Arellano (@abimelecdesign on Instagram) has reimagined several of these ritzy SUVs in the same way that Icelandic off-road specialist Arctic Trucks had modified the Top Gear Hilux. All of these have been virtually beefed up and ruggedized such that they are ready to tackle harsh tundras while their occupants sit in comfort.

This Urus's large tires might affect its top speed quite a bit. INSTAGRAM POSTS BY ABIMELEC ARELLANO

First off is a Lamborghini Urus. Not only is this super SUV is capable of hitting blistering speeds on ice, Arellano’s rendition has the car sporting a suspension lift and LM002-inspired wide fenders to fit massive wheels and tires. It also comes with the requisite off-road equipment like a front-mount winch and a spare tire.

That front bar should keep this Cullinan's Spirit of Ecstasy unscathed. INSTAGRAM POSTS BY ABIMELEC ARELLANO

Then, we have the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Named after the biggest diamond ever found, the car is anything but subtle. Like the Urus, it receives oversize flared fenders, wheels and tires. This Cullinan also comes with a roof rack fitted with an array of auxiliary driving lights.

Solar panels will keep the Bentayga's seats heated if the engine quits. INSTAGRAM POSTS BY ABIMELEC ARELLANO

Next is the Bentley Bentayga. Looking like Clarkson’s “MFB” Continental GT (used in the Madagascar special of The Grand Tour), this SUV gets the usual wide fenders and wheel-and-tire combo. But just to make this Bentayga a little beefier, Arellano fitted it with extra driving lights, roof-mounted solar panels, portal axles (like a Humvee), and a pressure tank to inflate its tires.

The Defender likely doesn't need any upgrades, but what the heck. INSTAGRAM POSTS BY ABIMELEC ARELLANO

Last but not least is the Land Rover Defender. We already know that this SUV is pretty capable—one that can probably take on rough terrain without any modifications. Because of this, the Defender receives the least number of upgrades: flared wheel arches, jumbo tires, and a roof rack. Out of the four cars, this is the most viable for an actual Arctic Trucks conversion.

While the vehicles you see here are just renderings, we wouldn’t be surprised if at least one automaker decides to attempt such a project. Who knows? Maybe Land Rover can accept the challenge.



Sam Surla

Sam is the youngest member of our editorial team. He specializes in photography and videography, but he also happens to like writing about cars a lot.



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