China's domestically developed Snow Leopard 6×6 wheeled vehicle has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in polar exploration, completing a 10,000-kilometer endurance test in Antarctica's harshest environments without mechanical failure. The announcement from the Chinese mainland's 42nd Antarctic expedition team on February 11, 2026, marks a significant leap in autonomous polar transportation technology.
Between December 5, 2025, and early February 2026, the bright red vehicle underwent rigorous trials at the Zhongshan Station research base and five distinct Antarctic terrain zones. Engineers subjected the Snow Leopard to extreme conditions including -40°C temperatures, sea ice formations, and snow surfaces with varying densities.
Expedition mechanic Sun Peng revealed the vehicle's technical superiority: "Our wheeled design achieves 28 km/h on soft snow – nearly double the speed of traditional tracked vehicles. On solid ice, it maintains 65 km/h with a 700-km operational range, revolutionizing how we conduct ground operations."
The breakthrough addresses long-standing challenges in Antarctic logistics where imported vehicles proved slow and fuel-inefficient. Advanced tire compounds and a cold-adapted power system enable the Snow Leopard to navigate terrain that previously required multiple specialized vehicles.
During a critical December mission, the vehicle demonstrated its emergency response capabilities by completing a 263-km round trip through near-zero visibility blizzards in 12 hours. Team leader Yao Xu noted: "This performance sets new standards for polar rescue operations when helicopter deployments become impossible."
The current Antarctic expedition, launched from Shanghai on November 1, 2025, continues testing innovative technologies that enhance China's scientific capabilities on the southern continent. The Snow Leopard's success paves the way for expanded research missions and improved safety protocols in one of Earth's most challenging environments.
