What do we need in a time of disaster? Well, a powerful 4WD off-road vehicle that could haul plenty of people. Enter the Torsus Praetorian, an ideal vehicle for the apocalypse. Developed in Slovakia, this vehicle combines the bus body with a heavy-duty MAN truck chassis. The result is a powerful offroader that can haul 35 people deep into the wilderness with ease. No other vehicle can do that for sure.
The Torsus Praetorian employs a durable MAN chassis, four-wheel drive, and a six-cylinder diesel mill. Thanks to all these sturdy features, the bus can ascent a 33-degree hill and deal with water up to three feet deep.
Built to carry people through the hardest surroundings, the Praetorian is powered by a 6.9-liter MAN D08 turbodiesel engine yielding 286 horsepower and 849 pound-feet of torque. Sending power to the wheels is a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The driver can also solely engage the rear wheels or the front axle. Besides, the truck uses a front differential lock, even though engaging it limits the front wheels’ steering angle.
The company says the bus has a 32-degree approach angle, 26-degree departure angle, and least ground clearance of 13.4 inches under the axles. Fully loaded, the vehicle can get as heavy as 29,550 pounds. The automaker has also set a 62-mph speed limiter. Seeing the capabilities of the bus, it is a sensible move.
Torsus has given great thought to the Praetorian’s air conditioning system, so they did their best to make it highly capable. For this reason, they analyzed it in scorching weather of Australia’s Great Sandy desert.
The testing proved fruitful; the company fine-tuned the system to lessen the temperature in the cabin from 140 Fahrenheit to 85 Fahrenheit in only three minutes and drop to 68 Fahrenheit below 15 minutes – all with 35 passengers on board. Furthermore, the AC system can offer cooling to the powerplant in hot weather or toughest situations, such as traversing through dunes. If you are familiar, manufacturers employ such powerful heating systems and bus insulations for Arctic environments.
The Torsus Praetorian came in 2018, and over the years, it improved a lot. The 2021 model comes with LED lighting, a power-operated door that includes pneumatic footsteps, and an automatic fire suppressant system for the 79-gallon fuel tank and underhood part.
The manufacturer has developed the Torsus Praetorian specifically for industrial and military purposes. However, buyers can use other body layouts – from the bus to a “Command Center.” Those who have deep enough pockets with an inclination for adventure can even get camping versions or ask for a customized model based on the standard structural design of the Praetorian.
The entry-level Torsus Praetorian is available for around $185,000, while the fully-loaded can go up to $445,000. Unfortunately, the Torsus Praetorian is not on sale in all countries, including the U.S. and the UAE, so you have to import it if you are in the states or the Emirates.
Source and Images: CarandDriver