Torsus’ Praetorian, heavy-duty, off-road 4X4 buses, has announced a number of technical advances. These rugged off-road buses are made to cross some of the most inhospitable terrains on earth.
Updates include LED lights, an advanced air conditioning system, passenger door, and pneumatic footsteps, a new fire system, and improved interior features.
Built to transport up to 35 passengers, a Praetorian can cross water up to three feet deep, according to the manufacturer.
Named after the Roman empire’s bodyguards, Praetorians are based on a MAN chassis. Power comes from a six-cylinder MAN diesel with 289 horsepower and 848 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a 4X4 off-road transmission, with Michelin XZL off-road tires, Torsus claims it can climb a 65 percent incline. A durable synthetic exterior coating provides impact resistance.
Torsus replaced the halogen headlights with WAŚ LEDs. WAŚ supplied W149 driving lamps, and 991 Signal SL roof and side-mounted work lights for 360-degree illumination.
Sold in Africa, Australia, Europe, and South America, the Praetorian works in the world’s hottest temperatures. These regions see outside temperatures as high as 122° Fahrenheit, and 140° Fahrenheit inside the bus.
Working with Webasto, Torsus improved the air-conditioning system. The A/C cools down the bus from 140° F to 86° F in three minutes, and 140° F to 68° F in under 15 minutes, such is its reported efficiency.
Torsus redesigned the Praetorian’s passenger door to comply with EU safety regulations. Pneumatic extending and retracting footsteps, and entrance bars provide ease of entry. An emergency evacuation system integrated into the doors, feature release buttons, and hatches. Do hatches refer to how you exit the vehicle if there’s a rollover?
Praetorian’s BlazeCut fire suppression system activates if there’s a fuel tank fire. System coverage extends to the engine compartment. Torsus added fire-resistant materials, fabrics, and fire extinguishers.
Driver’s seat visibility has been improved. Passengers have more space between the upgraded seats. Monitors in each seat allow the use of mobile electronics. New insulation materials in the vehicle walls and roof, and improved window sliders reduce energy consumption.
To handle extreme cold, the Praetorian has a Cello wall-mounted heating panel that generates radiant heat. Even if the outside temperature drops to 14°F, the heating panel will raise the temperature to 68°F, while using 19 percent less energy than conventional heating systems, according to Torsus.
Adventure tours, military operations, and other applications use Praetorians.
[Images: Torsus]
“Power comes from a six-cylinder MAN diesel with 3,762 horsepower and 848 lb-ft of torque.”
Nearly 4000 horsepower? That’s impressive! And to get that much power with “only” 848 lb-ft of torque requires 23,000 rpm. Very impressive, especially for a diesel!
I suspect the power number is inflated by a factor of 10.
Agreed. The math works for 2300 rpm and 376 HP.
Sorry, it was a typo. The actual HP is 289. Thanks for catching it. The 65% incline percentage is what’s stated in their press release.
“The actual HP is 289”
Very disappointing. It is almost as much hp as in my Ford Fusion
How much is a typical modern city, or school bus?
3,762 hp?
“Torsus claims it can climb a 65 percent incline”
58.5 degrees off horizontal? Not with that center of gravity.
Percentage in a grade is the ratio of vertical height to horizontal distance (ie a 7% grade climbs 7 vertical feet for every 100 feet traveled).
A 100% grade is 45 degrees.
A 65% grade equates to about 33 degrees.
Thanks for the clarification.
I still think I’d be nervous about a 33 degree incline in that bus, but OK.
Based on a unimog, I think the COG may be much lower than it would appear. Those wheel/tire combos may be 300lbs each alone and it probably has a ton of driveline hardware. Ya if you are full of passengers it would change but I bet empty the COG is probably around the top of the tires.
With almost 4000 HP can you pop a wheelie?
Wheel stand
from 140° F to 86° F in three minutes
The air measured at the outlet of the A/C vents might make that transition, but I guarantee you the average temp inside the bus didn’t.
Maybe it’s the air conditioner which is 3,762 horse power?:)
Make a cool camper van
“Torsus’ Praetorian, heavy-duty, off-road 4X4 buses, has announced a number of technical advances.”
Wow, the vehicle itself announced “a number of technical advances”? How very advanced of it.