The vehicle reaches speeds of 28 km/h on soft snow and 42 km/h on compacted snow.

Snow Leopard Vehicle in Antarctica                                                

China Successfully Tests Snow Leopard Vehicle in Antarctica

China's six-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive Snow Leopard off-road vehicle has successfully completed tests in Antarctica, covering 10,000 kilometers in harsh weather conditions without any reported malfunctions, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The world's largest ice shelf has caused considerable concern among environmentalists and meteorologists worldwide after it began shifting due to snow melting for the first time in over 30 years.

According to Song Pang, a member of the field testing team, the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 28 km/h on soft snow and 42 km/h on compacted snow, while conventional tracked vehicles used in Antarctica reach speeds of up to 15 km/h.

This versatile vehicle can also travel on ice at speeds of up to 65 km/h, and has a maximum range of approximately 700 km on a full tank of fuel. The vehicle was tested by the 42nd Chinese Antarctic Expedition, which departed from Shanghai for Antarctica on November 1, 2025. Researchers on the expedition will test a range of new equipment and technologies.

The iceberg, designated A23a, covers an area of ​​approximately 1,540 square miles, more than twice the size of Greater London (607 square miles), and is 1,312 feet thick. After 30 years of resting on the ocean floor, A23a is currently being carried north by winds and ocean currents.

Scientists say this iceberg has begun drifting across the Antarctic Peninsula (which juts out from the mainland like a tail) and is expected to break off due to the harsh waters once it reaches the open ocean.

 They also emphasize that large objects like A23a must be continuously monitored after breaking off because they can pose a threat to ships and wildlife.