Watch ‘The World’s Toughest Bus’ Tear Through ‘Extreme Off-Road’ Conditions With New Air Suspension Suitable for Arctic Mines

A new RUGGID bus design, capable of traversing extreme heat and Arctic mines, has been revealed.

The gas-powered Torsus Praetorian TG3, a 35-passenger off-roader, was recently redesigned to include additional toughness beyond pavement.

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Torsus, a Czech company that started in 2008, has designed several off-road vehicles.

The Praetorian bus was initially presented in 2017 as a muscular people-transporting truck.

Initial bus designs included giant, bulging tires and a raised body kit.

But the company said the latest iteration is even more capable off-road.

Torsus said the 2024 redesign includes a new air suspension, improved chassis-body connection and improved engine cooling systems.

Air suspension uses engine-controlled air pumps to inflate flexible fabric-reinforced rubber bellows.

This system replaces traditional steel springs, providing a smoother ride and the ability to adjust the vehicle’s height for better handling and comfort.

Torsus said the system will make the journey more comfortable for the 34 non-driving passengers on the bus.

“At Torsus, we know that if we want to create the world’s toughest off-road bus, we’re going to have to be tough on ourselves,” company CEO Vakhtang Dzhukashvili said in a statement after revealing the new redesign.

“To continue to lead the market, we know we can’t just sit on our laurels – we have to push ourselves and innovate.”

Torsus also said the upgraded suspension will allow passengers to navigate more difficult terrain.

The company said the latest version has 50 technical updates.

A revamped HVAC system brings more power to the wheels, the company said.

Deisel gas will run through the bus’s six-cylinder engine, producing 848 pound-feet of torque, according to the company.

Torsus has also added standard technological safety systems for the bus driver.

What’s new in Praetorian

Torsus started building Praetorian prototypes in 2017 – here’s what’s new:

Praetorian is a seven-year-old bus project from Czech startup Torsus.

Torsus is building off-road vehicles, including the Praetorian concept vehicle.

Praetorian buses are capable of traveling off-road with one driver and 34 passengers.

Here are the latest specs for the 2024 redesign:

• New air suspension for passenger comfort and more robust off-road capabilities
• Safety updates including lane-keeping assistance and automatic headlights
• Improved engine cooling systems and HVACs
• Greater visibility from the cockpit
• Overall, the company claims there are 50 technical advances

Lane keeping assist and light monitoring headlights have been fitted to the off-roader.

The company also reset its windows and mirrors, giving the driver more visibility.

Drivers can select one of four driving modes: “Efficiency”, “Emergency”, “Off-Road” and “Low Lane”.

The bus is still a prototype. But the company predicts that the models will cost around US$243,000 each.

The company also has an off-road capable van prototype called the Terrastorm.