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A black Torsus Terrastorm drives on a forest trail

The Torsus Terrastorm Is the Toughest Volkswagen Van We May Finally Get

Despite how popular camper vans are right now, Volkswagen doesn’t offer its own in the US. As a result, if you want to live the VW #vanlife here, you have to go with a vintage model. Especially if you plan on going off-pavement. However, there may soon be a way around that, courtesy of the …

Despite how popular camper vans are right now, Volkswagen doesn’t offer its own in the US. As a result, if you want to live the VW #vanlife here, you have to go with a vintage model. Especially if you plan on going off-pavement. However, there may soon be a way around that, courtesy of the Torsus Terrastorm.

The Torsus Terrastorm gets the Volkswagen Crafter van ready for off-roading

A gray 2020 Volkswagen Crafter drives down the road
2020 Volkswagen Crafter rear 3/4 | Volkswagen

Although Torsus based in the Czech Republic, the Terrastorm rides on a Volkswagen van platform, Top Gear reports. Specifically, the AWD Volkswagen Crafter 4Motion, which also underpins the MAN TGE, Motor1 reports. As such, while Torsus describes the Terrastorm as a bus, it’s really a van.

A black Torsus Terrastorm drives on a forest trail
Torsus Terrastorm | Torsus

Nevertheless, the Torsus Terrastorm has the hardware to back up its image. In addition to AWD, it has a rear locking differential, upgraded suspension, Bilstein and Ironman shocks, and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. As a result, it has 11.4” of ground clearance, a 26° approach angle, and a 20° departure angle, PistonHeads reports. Plus, it can drive on a 28.4° incline and comes with hill-descent control and hill-start assist.

The standard van has a 27.2” fording depth, but with the optional Deep Wave package, that increases to 32.3”. That’s more than the current Jeep Wrangler, and just behind the new Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender, Top Gear reports.

Besides that, the Torsus Terrastorm offers an aluminum skid plate, scratch-resistant lower body panels, and a 12,125-lb winch mounted to the front bumper, Goodwood reports. Said bumper also houses the extra off-road lights and the LED headlights. And if you go with the TT2 Nomad trim, the van gets a front metal bull-bar, a roof rack with integrated lights, a spare tire rack, and a rear-mounted roof ladder.

Both the TT1 Coach and TT2 Nomad trims offer the same powertrains. The Torsus Terrastorm has a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel with either 138 hp and 251 lb-ft or 177 hp and 302 lb-ft. A 6-speed manual is standard, but an 8-speed automatic is available.

There’s more than one Torsus Terrastorm configuration

The Torsus Terrastorm's swiveling seats with 5-point harnesses and a table
Torsus Terrastorm seating area | Torsus

The base Torsus Terrastorm can seat from 9-20 passengers, Car reports, with seats upholstered in fabric and ‘eco-leather.’ And if you’re worried about safety, you can spec 5-point racing-style harnesses. The seats can also be specced with swiveling functions and interspersed tables.

The standard van has an overhead storage compartment, an anti-slip floor, and plenty of USB outlets. And buyers can augment that with additional storage rails as well as individual A/C vents, lights, and speakers. But those are just the start of the Torsus Terrastorm’s offerings.

The rear medical area of the Torsus Terrastorm Ambulance
Torsus Terrastorm Ambulance rear | Torsus

You can outfit the van with a roof hatch, a bicycle rack, and extra protection for the rear lights. The Mine Transporter trim has protective mesh for the windows and additional engine, transmission, and differential protection. There’s a Cargo variant that swaps all but the front 2 seats for extra cargo room. Torsus also offers a Terrastorm Ambulance with sirens, lights, extra power sockets, a gas supply system, and a host of medical equipment.

How can you get one?

European Torsus Terrastorm deliveries are expected to start at the end of Q3 2020, Car reports. However, the van doesn’t come cheap. The Cargo trim starts at roughly $67,850; the base Coach trim starts at about $89,420.

A black Torsus Terrastorm with an awning parked in a grassy field
Torsus Terrastorm with awning | Torsus

Complicating US deliveries is the fact that Volkswagen doesn’t sell the Crafter van here. However, TFLOffroad reports Torsus is looking to expand sales in North America. And the company has a dealer here. It’s all a matter of getting the crash tests and emissions paperwork done. Let’s just hope, for the sake of Volkswagen camper van fans, that it doesn’t take too long.

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