Today, four years since inception, Arksen, best known for building the ultimate explorer and adventure vessels, comes ashore with a range of overland vehicles.
Arksen Overland represents a marked step for the brand to bring its technical knowledge and engineering expertise to create a range of specialist overland vehicles. The move extends Arksen’s offer in the specialist adventure and explorer space beyond marine; while continuing to deliver highly adept and capable machines, built around circular economy principles, to operate safely and to the highest standards in the most remote regions of the world.
Led by automotive industry veteran Rich Brown, the team has high ambitions to build and scale a portfolio of the most sustainable and capable explorer vehicles in the market. Every journey begins with the smallest step, and for Arksen Overland the team’s research led to a simple conclusion: the first vehicles should harness current platforms and rebuild them from the ground-up infusing modern technology, curated customisation and considered design aesthetics.
As a result, the team has created vehicles which remain true to the spirit of adventure, deliver modern levels of comfort and which, from a carbon perspective, afford an Arksen owner the km to explore almost a full lap of the planet versus turning the key on a comparable new vehicle.
Building on the iconic Land Rover Defender and Perentie (an Australian Military spec. equivalent), together with the Mercedes Unimog; the Arksen Overland team has identified a swift, effective, and scalable solution, working with handpicked suppliers and partners who provide expert services at every step.
The initial range of vehicles already caters to a breadth of adventures. The 2023 launch portfolio is comprised of:
Arksen U1700 – the ultimate long range overland adventure platform. Built on the unstoppable Mercedes Unimog, with an all-new expedition body to create a vehicle for four adults to explore, sleep, relax and even work in comfort and with confidence anywhere on the planet.
Arksen D110 – designed for any adventure. Combining the Land Rover Defender’s soul and legendary off-road capability with contemporary refinement, reliability, and equipment to inspire Arksen families to explore the unknown.
Arksen P110 – for the most adventurous explorers. Built on the Land Rover Perentie soft top, originally developed for the Australian military, the P110, is further upgraded to deliver modern refinement and enhanced utility while allowing owners to get even closer to nature.
Arksen D110e – Arksen’s all-electric version of the D110 with full 4x4 capability, near silent running, instant low-end torque and zero emissions to create a new type of off-road experience with the range to explore near-grid.
The Arksen D110, P110 and D110e are all offered in two core specifications:
Adventure Prepped platform (with built in power, water, and fridge/freezer) designed for customers to define their ideal build, leverage their existing expedition kit and/or serve as a daily driver.
Expedition Ready is a turnkey overlander which adds an Arksen curated expedition fit-out, including: roof tent, shower system, awning, winch, recovery gear, and camping accessories.
As of March 2023, two Arksen D110s, one P110 and one U1700 have been completed and are ready for sale. Additional builds are in the pipeline with two due to complete in the coming months, including the first Arksen D110e EV - expected to be presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Through ArksenOverland.com customers can see completed vehicles for sale as inventory, design their ideal vehicle via the Arksen configurator and reach out to the team to explore and commission their own unique build.
Part of Arksen’s unique restoration proposition, is that every rebuilt, replaced or upgraded element has been included with a specific goal in mind - to add to the experience of adventure. The result are overland vehicles that resonate with the romance of travel from bygone eras, updated for contemporary comforts, with modern reliability built around mechanical systems which can be fixed by almost anyone, anywhere.
The team at Arksen Overland believe the best way to inspire future generations to care about our planet and environment is to enable adventurers and motor enthusiasts alike to build shared memories with family and friends; experiencing the best the world has to offer.
So, whether you want to escape with your family on an extended adventure, explore at the weekends or are simply searching for a new type of sustainable vehicle to bring you joy, you should consider Arksen Overland’s exceptional new range.
QUOTES
“There is still no better way to explore the world than using a traditional mechanical machine that can be easily fixed in the most remote areas. Land Rover’s Defender epitomises the very essence of adventure. We’ve simply adapted an already excellent platform to make them even more fit for purpose without creating a dramatic carbon footprint”
Jasper Smith, Founder, Arksen
“For us, great design is more than functional attributes, well thought through engineering, pleasing aesthetics, and high-quality production. Great design is about how a product makes people feel, and never more so than for an adventure vehicle.
“Great” to us sits in the details which collectively define: how we deliver the confidence to explore, the capability to overcome, the comfort to be present and go longer, the connectivity to our environment, and the people we encounter to create moments of joy and ultimately the memories we take from any adventure. All of this while treading as lightly as we can.”
Richard Brown, CEO, Arksen Overland
“Cars are more than just machines, they often carry meaning, purpose, and identity. Through the last century, cars moved from being about freedom to travel, to something of a commodity, differentiated in status and appeal by an arms race in speed, luxury, and technology. Today, if we’re honest, almost all cars are faster, more comfortable, and better equipped than the cars I aspired to as a child 30 years ago. Perhaps it’s time for a reset, sports car performance isn’t really usable, and modern luxury means separation from a world you travel through. For everyone I share our vehicles with, the appeal is back to the promise of where the vehicle might take you, connecting with those places, and putting a new type of fun back into driving."
Richard Brown, CEO, Arksen Overland
“We understand people will always explore because they care about our planet and want to learn more. It’s in our DNA. At Arksen, we know it can be done with less impact in marine, overland – and other – sectors. So we offer a choice to adventure more sustainably, without compromising capability, comfort or experience. We will continue to harness the very best technology and provide the right tools in which to reach nature, in every corner of the world”
John Mitchell, Group Marketing Director, Arksen
