---
title: "The Torsus Praetorian 4×4 School Bus Is Here to End All Snow Days"
description: "Sorry, kids."
date: "2020-10-23"
modified: "2020-10-23"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/37235/the-torsus-praetorian-4x4-school-bus-is-here-to-end-all-snow-days"
categories:
  - "News"
---

# The Torsus Praetorian 4×4 School Bus Is Here to End All Snow Days

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/10/message-editor-1603465995279-torsuspraetorian-3.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

There's something about an off-roader built for a super-specific purpose that gets the imagination going. Simply knowing that [an 8x8 ambulance](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35625/the-avtoros-shaman-ambulance-is-like-an-8x8-freightliner-on-steroids>) exists is enough to make you wonder—where is this thing used and how often? Machines like this can kindle a desire for adventure in a rugged, far-off land; one where people might need everyday machinery as capable as the Praetorian 4x4 school bus.

Built by Czech off-road specialists Torsus, the Praetorian is a heavy-duty, all-terrain bus built on a chassis from [commercial truck-maker MAN](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35523/need-to-get-off-the-grid-this-dakar-inspired-man-rv-will-do-the-trick>). A 6.9-liter turbodiesel inline-six engine sends 290 horsepower and 848 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed ZF manual transmission to an electronically controlled transfer case, which forwards motive force to both axles. If you want more gears, there's also a 12-speed ZF automatic optional.

Of course, locking differentials distribute power to the wheels wrapped in 46-inch Michelin XZL all-terrain tires, which offer 14.4 inches of ground clearance in combination with leaf-sprung (or available pneumatic) suspension, and thusly respectable approach and departure angles.

![message-editor%2F1603465995279-torsuspraetorian-3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603465995279-torsuspraetorian-3.jpg>)
*Torsus Praetorian 4x4 School Bus, *Torsus**

![message-editor%2F1603466014665-torsuspraetorian-2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603466014665-torsuspraetorian-2.jpg>)
*Torsus Praetorian 4x4 School Bus, *Torsus**

And now, in addition to serving every role from rescue to riot control, Praetorians can make the school run. Not a whole lot differentiates this newcomer from preexisting Praetorian variants—just the basic [school bus](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33795/someone-turned-a-school-bus-into-this-surprisingly-excellent-50000-pirate-ship>) accouterments. It has that signature bright yellow paint job and seating for 35 kids.

Said seats are decorated with mathematic and scientific motifs, coated in a protective polymer, and can be optionally upgraded with folding armrests and hip supports for aisle-sitters.

![message-editor%2F1603471857263-praetorianschoolbusseats\_1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603471857263-praetorianschoolbusseats_1.jpg>)
*Praetorian school bus seats, *Torsus**

It's hard to imagine a bus like this being of much use outside somewhere like [Alaska](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32036/alaskan-pioneer-builds-rolling-log-cabin-on-a-1996-ford-f-350>) or Siberia, but its existence will surely come as a relief to a district whose Bluebird or Thomas just isn't cutting the mustard in the snow. Now they just need to scrape together the money for one of these built-to-order off-roaders, which as you'd predict don't come cheap.

Torsus didn't specify pricing for the school bus variant, but empty shell Praetorians start at $181,000, and the existing Transporter bus runs just over $196,000. That's more than double what American school districts spent on the average new bus in 2019 according to [*School Transportation News*](<https://stnonline.com/special-reports/new-school-transportation-studies-compare-costs-advantages-and-wages/>), though it's a small price to pay for an educated populace.

![message-editor%2F1603466033306-torsuspraetorian.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603466033306-torsuspraetorian.jpg>)
*Torsus Praetorian 4x4 School Bus, *Torsus**

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*h/t:* [*Auto Express*](<https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/vans/353542/new-torsus-praetorian-school-bus-ps330000-road-specialist>)

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)