The Arctic Test – The most international
car test done in Finland

The frost’s credit men for your service

The Arctic Test, that was for the first time done in 1987, by initiative of Auto Tekniikka ja Kuljetus, has in the course of years developed into the most international vehicle test done in Finland. The test is published in 33 different countries. The test is usually ordered by each country’s leading commercial vehicle magazine.
Over 1 million kilometres have been driven on the test route through Finland, Sweden and Norway in demanding arctic conditions. Over 138 vehicles have been tested.
The Arctic Test has always focused on the latest technology used in the area of logistics. The comparison of, for example, ESP-electronics stability program for heavy trucks is still globally unique. Year 2006 cars equipped with the latest emission technology will be tested. Not a single magazine in the world has published tests done in arctic conditions and using urea based fuel additives.


A big variety of cars has been taking part in the arctic test. In numbers most tested ones are vans/pickups. Busses, delivery trucks and semi trailers have also been taking part. In recent years working machines have also been tested. This part of the arctic test is published in Kone, työ ja ympäristö magazine.
Over 3850 pages of articles have been published of the arctic test. Besides in Finland, Sweden and Norway, the arctic test has been widely read in following countries: Germany, Switzerland, France, Russia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Spain, England, Romania and Portugal. The arctic test has also been published outside Europe, for example, Brazil, Japan and the United States.
The Arctic Test has had many cooperation companions from the fist beginning. Shell has, for example, supplied the oils to the test cars from the beginning of the history. Similar oil will be changed in each car’s motor and power line. This procedure guarantees the same conditions in cold starting. Same type of tires will as well be installed in each test car. Michelin has usually supplied the tires.

During the test once every minute, the temperature will be measured from three different points of each car’s cab. In this way, the heating speed of the driver’s living environment and the uniformity of frost are studied. One week’s test session produces a vast amount of test data for further analysis.
Over the years frost has become a good friend for the test group. The measured record temperature has been -50, 7 degrees C. The most extreme weather conditions have been observed in Björnefellet, Norway, when a -37 degrees C temperature was accompanied with a wind speed exceeding 30 meters per second. Furthermore, the amount of snow fall has occasionally been quite extensive. Once, the whole test caravan was stopped in Abisko National Park, Sweden and driven off road: a 800 hp snow plough opening the road had been stucked in the snow, after a snow fall of 138 centimetres.
The most extreme rain fall was experienced in Taivalkoski, Finland. There was nothing special about the rain, but simultaneously the temperature was -9 degrees C.

The arctic test – reliable today and tomorrow.

The arctic test has achieved a distinguished position, as well as among journalism and car factories. The test is well known among all leading global commercial vehicle factories. The test is trusted. The methods, measurements and calculations are done thoroughly and impartially. Both the readers and the industry get a lot of benefit from the results. The test which is done under existing severe arctic conditions are different from the conditions many factories are accustomed to. When tests are done in right winter environment, they always play an important part for the development of vehicle technology.
The readers of Auto, Tekniikka ja Kuljetus will get an ideal opportunity to follow this development. That is why we already at this early stage dare to say that the number to follow which contains information of the winter tests is going to be sold out!

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