Czech-based Torsus has refreshed its Praetorian heavy-duty off-road 4×4 bus, and it’s just insane!
Torsus’s Praetorian superbus receives all its juice from a powerful six-cylinder diesel engine producing 286 hp and 848 lb-ft of torque, which should be more than enough to tackle any rough terrain. Furthermore, the bus sits on Michelin XLR tires allowing it to run through deep mud holes and climb a 65% incline with ease.
Nonetheless, if it was to crash into something or fall over, the military-grade elastomeric protective cladding can regain its original shape after experiencing an impact. Given the kind of environment the Praetorian has to operate in, this feature could prove its worth on numerous occasions.
The 4×4 monster can accommodate 35 passengers at once. Luckily, in hot environments, the upgraded 21.5 kW air conditioning system can cool the bus down from 140 to 86ºF in only 3 minutes and can go as low as 68 ºF in less than 15 minutes. Conversely, in cold temperatures, the insulation materials in the walls and roof keep the Praetorian warm.
Torsus has replaced the halogen-based headlamps with LED ones in partnership with Polish LED automotive lighting specialist WAŚ. The front units deliver a combined intensity of 4,100 lumens, while work lights around the roof and sides add 1,000 lumens. The lighting systems can provide a complete 360-degree illumination which can be pretty helpful on mining sites and such.
When used in severe conditions, the components can quickly get hot and there might be a fire risk. After feedback from the customers, Torsus equipped the Praetorian with a BlazeCut automatic fire suppression system keeping the passengers unharmed in the worst-case scenario. Moreover, the interior is built with fire-resisting materials, which includes the seats as well. Also, just in case, two onboard fire extinguishers are available at all times to suppress any unfortunate incidents.
Torsus also introduced safety features to comply with the EU standards, such as an automatic door closing system that activates when the vehicle reaches a speed of 2 mph. Other characteristics include an upgraded emergency rescue system and a sensor at the door to keep track of any obstruction while closing it.
However, the company’s press release did not reveal any information regarding the price of the bus. It is worth mentioning that the previous generation’s starting price was $186,000. Keeping in mind the improvements made to this version, the refreshed model should be slightly more expensive than its predecessor.
More details on Torsus’ website.
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