What do you get when you let a MAN TGE van slip into the hands of a military-grade, off-road specialist?

The answer is the Terrastorm – a four-wheel-drive load lugger than can wade through water up to its wing mirrors, slide over rocks and claw its way through mud.

Almost all TGE or VW Crafter models (they’re identical save for the badge) are ripe for the transformation, which is carried out by Czech outfit Torsus.

This means minibuses, campervans, and even ambulances can be equipped to reach places their original maker never deemed possible.

See also: On test: Ford’s all-wheel-drive Transit Trail van

Seen here is the double-cab flatbed version, which is the product of a partnership with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles.

Like all Terrastorms, it began its life on MAN’s regular production line and left the factory sporting a Haldex-based, four-wheel-drive system.

This means it has a front-wheel drive bias with a clever diff that transfers power to the rear wheels when slip is detected.

For particularly tough going, there’s the option of manually locking this to increase traction.

Engines and transmissions are also standard fare, with a 2-litre, bi-turbo setup that can deliver either 138hp/340Nm or 173hp/410hp, allied to a six-speed manual or eight-speed double-clutch auto.

© Torsus

Toughening up

With minimal mechanical meddling required, Torsus focuses on breaking these vans down and building them back tougher.

Standard road-going suspension is binned, replaced by a heavy-duty setup from Dutch specialist JRZ. Coil-overs are used at the front, with parabolic springs and dampers at the rear.

In addition to bumping up the ride height by 50mm, these promise to reduce body roll, increase traction and give a far more comfortable ride – even with heavy loads on board.

The shocks are electronically adjustable too, with a phone app that allows drivers to tweak settings to their liking.

A series of generic modes – normal, comfort and sport – provide a simple method of changing driving characteristics, with a myriad of custom settings available for those keen to engage in more advanced alterations.

Reinforced Delta 4×4 alloy wheels complete the running gear alterations, which can be wrapped with either ultra-grippy BF Goodrich 265/65/R17 Mud-Terrain or the more versatile All-Terrain rubber.

© Torsus

Water baby

Scores of vehicles get ruined when overconfident drivers start wading through floodwater, but it would take a particularly gung-ho operator to take down a Terrastorm.

Torsus goes to great lengths in this department, fitting a snorkel, raised breathers for drivetrain components, and waterproofing any areas susceptible to moisture ingress.

The result is that it can wade through 600mm deep water for extended periods, go to 1m for shorter stints and, in an emergency, keep running when it’s up to the base of the windscreen.

Body protection is the final part of the puzzle, with thick metal shields for the sump, transmission and diff, a tough ABS plastic front bumper and scratch-resistant Line-X paintwork for the wheel arches and lower panels.

Bullbars, winches and a potpourri of accessories are available to complete the package.

As for the double cab flat bed, buyers can fit a rear body of their choice, from the pictured canvas back, to boxes and tipper bodies.

© Torsus

Heavier duty option

Heavier duty TGE and Crafter vans with a gross vehicle weight of 5 to 5.5t are also available for the Torsus treatment.

Engines and transmissions are the same as those used in their smaller 3.5 to 4t cousins, but these are longitudinally, rather than horizontally mounted.

MAN/VW doesn’t fit these with a four-wheel drive system from the factory, so they’re handed to Austrian specialist Oberainger.

Its conversion sends power to all four wheels via a transfer case fitted with a Torsen limited slip differential. So, unlike the smaller vans’ front wheel bias, these drive all four wheels, all of the time.

Torsus treats these models to the same upgrades, but the larger body sizes allow them to extend the range of uses.

This includes a self-contained mobile operations centre, with powerful electric systems for running computers and the option of a secure satellite connection.

One of these has been built in conjunction with UK drone maker Evolved Dynamics, as a base station for carrying out aerial surveillance work.

© Torsus

In the centre section sits a pair of seats and a desk/control panel, with a large equipment store at the rear.

The rig is designed for those who need to work in remote areas, with enough off-road ability to get them there, and sufficient gear to allow them to work effectively when they do.

Evolved Dynamics currently specialises in high-spec drones for military use, but it’s hoping to branch out into other sectors, including agriculture.

© Torsus

While most of its rivals manufacture in China, its models are designed and built in the UK, which it claims makes them higher quality and more secure.

The final member of the Torsus line up is the Praetorian – a beefy off-road bus that can transport 34 people across rivers and up mountains.

This is also based on a MAN chassis, compete with a 6.9-litre engine that develops 290hp and a permanent four-wheel drive system with locking differentials all round.

Torsus builds a complete custom body for this, as well as carrying out its usual off-road modifications.