Torsus, a manufacturer of heavy-duty off-road vehicles, has expanded its Slovak engineering and production operations with the opening of a second manufacturing facility.
The new site in Ilava has created 100 jobs and will increase production of the Terrastorm and Praetorian ranges. It also strengthens the ability of Torsus to develop and manufacture specialist vehicles for mining, energy, emergency response, construction, government and remote industrial operations.
Torsus founder and CEO Vakhtang Dzhukashvili stated, “Slovakia gives Torsus access to exceptional automotive engineering expertise, a strong supplier network and an ideal location from which to serve customers around the world.”
Together with the company’s existing pre-assembly operation in Horné Srnie, Ilava gives Torsus a combined manufacturing footprint of 9,420m² and a Slovak production team of more than 150 people.
The Ilava facility brings together digital engineering, prototyping, specialist metal fabrication, vehicle assembly, quality control and parts fulfillment. The expanded operation provides annual production capacity for up to 200 Terrastorm and 50 Praetorian vehicles, with multiple models and customer projects able to progress through production simultaneously.
Dzhukashvili explained, “The new Ilava facility gives our teams more space, greater production capacity and the tools to move faster from digital design to prototype and finished vehicle.”
From digital design to working vehicle
At the center of the facility is the Torsus Digital R&D Centre, where engineers develop vehicle systems, specialist conversions and customer-specific equipment.
Advanced CAD software, including SolidWorks and Plasticity, allows the team to create detailed three-dimensional models of components, assemblies and complete vehicle systems before production begins.
According to Torsus, in-house 3D printing accelerates the development of customized parts, enclosures, interfaces and mounting systems. Engineers can reportedly move quickly from a digital concept to a physical prototype, assess it on the vehicle and make changes without waiting for conventional external tooling.
A dedicated prototyping area, separate vehicle lift and specialist engineering workstations allow development work to continue alongside regular vehicle production.
4×4 HD built for tough conditions
A major focus of Torsus’s engineering operation is its heavy-duty 4×4 HD system for specialist commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 5.5 metric tons.
The system combines low-range gearing with locking differentials, reportedly giving operators greater traction, torque control and low-speed maneuverability across steep gradients, mud, loose surfaces, cross-axle obstacles and broken terrain.
The drivetrain is engineered alongside reinforced suspension, underbody protection, drivetrain breathers, electronics and customer equipment. Vehicle weight, axle loading, center of gravity and suspension behavior are assessed to ensure the completed vehicle remains stable and controllable under full-load off-road conditions.
Dzhukashvili added, “Our customers operate in environments where traction, durability and reliability are essential. Expanding our engineering and manufacturing capabilities means we can deliver more Terrastorm and Praetorian vehicles, support increasingly specialized applications and maintain the quality expected from every Torsus.”
In related news, rigorous RAM-D program at military facility validates Torsus Terrastorm 4×4 HD
