Bus routes across the UK could be about to get a little more scenic if the plans of a Czech motor manufacturer get the go-ahead.

Founded in 2017, Torsus have developed a range of heavy-duty off road buses, which could rival even some of the most rugged SUVs and 4x4s on the roads. The company is aiming to launch its 37-seater Praetorian coach and nine-seat Terrastorm minibus onto the market in the next 12 months and even has plans for an all-electric version in the pipeline.

Speaking to City A.M. this week, the company’s CEO, Vakhtang Dzukashvili explained that though he is looking to set up a UK dealer network, the Torsus brand can already be bought directly from Europe.

“Our parent company, Pulsar Expo, started out doing lots of one-off custom truck conversions – Man, Iveco and Toyota models, mainly,” Dzukashvili said by way of explaining the company’s origins. “We worked with many large organisations that operate in challenging terrain, such as the United Nations, aid agencies and mining companies.

“We soon discovered that these clients were using fleets of SUVs or pick-up trucks to move people from place to place. Nobody was making large off-road vehicles suitable for this task. That’s where the idea for Torsus was born.

The Praetorian was our first baby and we think it’s unique. It’s based on a MAN coach and powered by a 6.9-litre diesel engine that delivers 290hp and 848lb ft of torque.

“You’ll need a special licence to drive it, because it seats 37 (including the driver) and weighs 13.5 tonnes. But if you have the right qualifications and the skills to drive it off-road, you’re unstoppable. Three differential locks, long-travel suspension and a 900mm wading depth see to that.

“The Praetorian also meets the required standards in terms of European certification, comfort and safety. For example, it has proper motorised bus doors, but we had to adapt them so they close with greater force when the vehicle detects it’s off-road.”

If you want to purchase a Torsus you can buy the 37-seater for £131,000 or the nine-seater minibus for £49,000, which might be a more of an eye catcher on the school run.

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