Torsus Terrastrom puts all other minibuses on notice with 4x4 off-road capability

New Model News

Photo courtesy of Torsus

The Torsus Terrastrom follows right in the footsteps of the Praetorian. It's a minibus with tremendous off-road capability. Plus, it can seat up to 20.

Available as either right- or left-hand drive, the model is offered with the buyer's choice of a 2.0-liter biturbo diesel engine with either a 138 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque or 174 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

Torsus Terrastorm

Torsus Terrastrom
  

Photo courtesy of Torsus

The whole rig rides on the Volkswagen Crafter/MAN TGE 4Motion chassis though engineering was done at the Torsus production plant in Slovakia. Off-road testing, designed to put the Terrastrom through the paces, commenced in the Czech Republic and Slovakia including at the Tatar testing ground.

"At Torsus, we believe that strong, rugged, commercial vehicles aren't only for working hours but can be used for fun as well," said Vakhtang Dzhukashvili, founder and CEO of Torsus. "The Terrastorm aims to break that tradition as we set new standards in this market. We have taken what we know from PRAETORIAN and translated it to a smaller overall footprint, but the dependability and toughness remain. By working with customers and listening to feedback and hearing their problems, we find solutions to create the ultimate off-road minibus."

Specific body trim has been crafted to protect the lower panels of the vehicle. There's an integrated winch (with a 5.5-ton capacity) and Duraluminum skid plate. Additionally, an off-road suspension (MacPherson struts and Bilstein B6 shtick absorbers up front, leaped springs and Ironman 4x4 Load Plus shock absorbers out back), all-wheel drive with locking rear differential, and side steps are fitted to the model as standard equipment.

Ironman 4x4 Adjustable Camber bolts are fitted to offer ± 1.75 degrees camber adjustment. Profender Dakar shock absorbers are available.

The bumper was designed with approach angles in mind. It houses LED high beams, daytime running lights, fog lights, and spotlights as well as the winch. The Terrastorm has ground clearance of 11.42 inches, approach and departure angles of 26 degrees and 20 degrees, and a wading depth of 27.17 inches. Potential buyers have the option to select the 'Deep Wave' pack allowing the Terrastorm to wade through up to 32.28 inches of water.

The model rides on heavy-duty 17-inch BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 tires.

Torsus offers the model in two trim levels: TT1 Coach and TT2 Nomad.

Upgrading to the TT2 Nomad gets the buyer a front metal bull-bar and rear light metal grilles, roof rack with integrated lights, spare tire rack, and rear ladder.

Depending on the model, the Terrastorm can accommodate nine to 20 passengers. The seats are upholstered in fabric and eco-leather. They are fitted with three-point seatbelts. Five-point harnesses are available for travelers expecting to encounter more rigorous terrain. Additionally, the Terrastorm's seating configuration can be position with swivel seats and multifunction tables.

Additional modifications can turn the Terrastorm into a camper van, MEDIVAC transport van, or cargo carrier.

The cockpit features a touch screen control panel above the infotainment system that controls heating, lighting, air conditioning, and speakers.

Additionally, a luggage rack that allows each seat to have lighting, air conditioning vents, and speakers can be installed.

Torsus prices the Terrastrom starting at €57,461. Deliveries will begin in the third quarter of this year.

From Your Site Articles
Photo courtesy of Torsus

The Torsus Terrastorm is a heavy-duty, off-roading capable 4x4 short bus

Off-Roading

Torsus made headlines earlier this year when it unveiled the world's first heavy-duty 4x4 bus. The Praetorian is a modern engineering marvel - made to go pretty much anywhere and take a group of people with it. Now, the company is expanding their roster with a new model.

The Torsus Terrastorm is a heavy-duty off-road capable 4x4 short bus.

2021 Torsus TerrastormThe Terrastorm takes the notion of a traditional short bus up a notch.Photo courtesy of Torsus

"At Torsus, we are breaking new ground by designing, developing and manufacturing the world's toughest off-road buses," said Vakhtang Dzhukashvili, founder and CEO of Torsus. "In the all-new Terrastorm we signal our ambition to set new standards in the heavy-duty 4x4 minibus market across some of the toughest industries known to man. We built Torsus to be a trailblazer and redefine the way people think about commercial vehicles, and the Torsus Terrastorm is the next step on our journey to make this reality."

It's built on a Volkswagen Crafter 4Motion chassis that has been upgraded to feature a more robust suspension.

Torsus says that new EURO VI (diesel) engines replace the van's traditional 2.0-liter TDI engine. Torsus has shoed the van with BF Goodrich tires. It also has a ladder and spare tire out back, and a brush guard up front.

The Crafter chassis is capable of supporting a three- to five-ton van. This makes it a model able to be used for conversion to an ambulance or off-road rescue vehicle, or, perhaps, an adventure-ready tour bus.

2021 Torsus TerrastormThe model rides on BF Goodrich tires.Photo courtesy of Torsus

Torsus will offer the model in a variety of configurations.

More information about the Torsus Terrastorm will be revealed later this month. Sales will start in Q3.

Photo courtesy of Torsus

The Torsus Preatorian is the world's first heavy-duty 4x4 off-road bus

Off-Roading

A world where the possibilities seem endless is the world the Torsus Praetorian was built for. It's the world's first heavy-duty 4x4 off-road bus and it's a complete badass.

Designed to transport personnel and safety equipment in the world's toughest climates, the bus features the very best blend of vintage and modern design, helping it to win a Red Dot Award for outstanding design quality. This year, 6,500 products from 60 countries competed to earn a Red Dot Award. Jurors worldwide test all the entries judging the aesthetic, the materials selected, the level of craftsmanship, the surface structure, ergonomics and functionality. After long discussions together, they decide on the design quality of the products, with only the best designs receiving an award.

Torsus PraetorianThe bus runs on off-road tires.Photo courtesy of Torsus

The bus has fiberglass body panels that are covered with a scratch-resistant Line-X coating. Buyers can choose from a list of pre-set colors or request a custom job. LED lights are featured on the front and rear. A heavy-duty bull bar is available for the front and rear.

Praetorian is built on an upgraded version of a MAN chassis. It is powered by a MAN 6.9-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine that achieves 240 bhp and 682 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a MAN TipMatic semi-automatic gearbox that is designed to reduce fuel consumption and increase driving comfort.

It rides on 10-hole 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin off-road XZL TL tires, which are designed specifically for tactical off-road vehicles. They feature a self-cleaning open-tread design, full-width steel belts and elastic protector ply to protect against off-road hazards, radial casting, and tubeless construction.

The bus has 15.75 inches of ground clearance.

Torsus PraetorianIt has a ground clearance of nearly 16 inches.Photo courtesy of Torsus

It's a four-wheel drive vehicle that can not just handle rocks, sand, snow, and ice, but also transport a payload of up to 35 passengers plus equipment as standard. Praetorian has standard parabolic leaf spring axles and power steering.

Though built for conquering, the model has a less utilitarian interior. Its has a pneumatic driver's seat.

Online listings put the price of the model over $150,000.

Torsus PraetorianThe bus is designed to conquer dirt trails, sandy conditions, and water.Photo courtesy of Torsus

In addition to the award, on June 22, the Praetorian will be added to the exhibition "Design on Stage" in the Red Dot Design Museum Essen (Germany), where all of the award-winning products will be on show. The Praetorian will also be presented in the online exhibition on the Red Dot website and in the Red Dot Design Yearbook 2020/2021, which comes out in July 2020.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Property Showcase

Automotive Map is moving to Your Test Driver

New website

Big news! Automotive Map has moved to a new site and has changed its name to Your Test Driver. You'll notice the same format, writing style, and content on the new site. That's because Your Test Driver is run by Chris Teague, the former editor of Automotive Map. We hope to see you there for continued coverage of news, reviews, and features from around the automotive industry.

2023 Nissan Leaf pricing announced

Updated EV

Nissan is nearing the release of the Ariya, its first new EV in several years. Even so, the brand hasn't forgotten about its first mass-market EV, the Leaf. It was an early entrant in the space, and has been an efficient, affordable, commuter car for over a decade. The car got a mild facelift for 2023, with updated wheels and exterior styling accents. Today, Nissan announced pricing for the Leaf, which starts at just under $29,000.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf feels lively, despite middling power numbers.Nissan

The base Leaf comes with a 40-kWh battery capable of delivering a 149-mile range. Its 110-kW electric motor produces 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The Leaf SV Plus features a 60-kWh battery for a range of 212 miles. It comes with a 160-kW motor that makes 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Nissan backs all Leaf models with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

ProPilot Assist comes standard for the Leaf SV Plus, and brings a full suite of advanced driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, driver alertness features, and a surround-view monitor. All Leaf models get Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf SV Plus offers up to 212 miles of range.Nissan

The new Leaf starts at $28,895, which includes a $1,095 destination charge. The Leaf SV Plus starts at $36,895. The 2023 Nissan Leaf is on sale now, and may be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to receive a state tax credit or other incentives.

2022 Nissan Altima: Three things to know

Comfortable midsize sedan

The Nissan Altima may not get the attention or the praise that the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord get, but it's a solid entry in an ultra-competitive segment. It's also one of few options in its class with available all-wheel drive. We spent a week with the 2022 Nissan Altima SR Midnight Edition with AWD and came away from the experience impressed. Here are three things to know about the car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima is a Good Value

With a starting price in the mid-$20,000 range and available all-wheel drive, it's hard to complain about value here. The Altima is still reasonably priced at the top end, where it maxes out at around $35,000 before options and fees. That's a great value for a spacious, comfortable car like the Altima, and with all-wheel drive it's a great all-weather commuter.

2022 Nissan AltimaNissan offers the Altima in several configurations.Nissan

2022 Altima Interior Space and Comfort are Generous

It's easy to ignore Nissan's Zero Gravity seats as another marketing buzzword, but they are legitimately comfortable and supportive in a way that not many others are. Available leather upholstery and contrast stitching give the interior an upscale feel, but even lower trims' cloth upholstery feels nice and works well from a visual standpoint. Up front, there's room for both passengers to stretch out, and the driver won't feel cramped on leg or headroom. Back-seat passengers get a similar treatment, as there's plenty of space for adults and kids. Parents will find an easy time loading and unloading car seats as well.

2023 Nissan AltimaThe Altima gets an update for 2023 with fresh styling and more tech.Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Altima Gets an Update

Nissan is refreshing the Altima for 2023 with a facelift, new tech, and better safety features. The new car will go on sale in the fall of 2022 and will come in several trims, including one with Nissan's truck VC-Turbo engine. The Altima's most noticeable update will be its front fascia, which is all-new for 2023. Nissan gives the car a fresh grille design that varies depending on the trim, and LED headlights will be standard. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, and the Altima is available with all-wheel drive, ProPilot Assist, and more.

View All Listings