Remember the Torsus Praetorian off-road bus? The thing that looked like it had been designed for a post-apocalyptic school run? Well, it’s been updated for 2021 with a host of new features.
The Praetorian is still powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine, although power and torque have been increased to 286hp and 1,148Nm, respectively. A heavy-duty 4x4 transmission allows it to climb 65% incline (roughly one in three) ‘easily’, according to Torsus.
When it’s done showing off on steep hills, an upgraded MAN chassis and Michelin XLR tires allow it to tackle the most inhospitable terrain imaginable in either extreme cold or heat. Like, say, rush hour in London.
To this end, the air-conditioning has been revamped so that it can cool the inside from 60 to 20 degrees Celsius in as little as 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the heating system and the insulation allow the bus to maintain well above 20 degrees even when it’s a teeth-chattering -10 degrees Celsius outside.
“Our mission is to ensure our 4x4 heavy-duty buses conquer the world’s most daunting driving environments, safely transporting people and equipment to locations no other vehicle could ever reach,” said Torsus CEO Vakhtang Dzhukashvili. “Achieving this requires rigorous attention to detail coupled with our obsession with delivering nothing but the best.”
Other advancements include LED lights that chuck out 4,100 lumens, more than three times as bright as a typical, high-beam halogen bulb. There are pneumatic footsteps for easier access, and a new fire protection system to stop everything from going up in flames.
On the outside, military-grade elastomeric panels (which return their original shape after experiencing impact) provide durability and impact resistance, although Torsus doesn’t specify the nature of the impact that the bus could be facing. Mild rockfall? Heavy gunfire? We’d rather not ask.
Inside, the interior has been improved to make all 35 passengers more comfortable. And if you’d rather not look at the barren wasteland outside, each seat has a screen in the back that will sync up to your smartphone or tablet. Perfect for taking your mind off the unfolding apocalypse. Best avoid Mad Max: Fury Road, in that case.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
