Latest news with #BajaBug
Car and Driver
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Twisted's 'TBug' Restomod Is a Modern Take on the Iconic Baja Bug
Land Rover-specialist Twisted Automotive is showing off its take on the Baja Bug. Called the "TBug," it looks like 10 pounds of fun in a five-pound Yorkshire pudding. The little off-roader has a lifted ride height and an 80-hp air-cooled flat-four that turns its all-terrain tires. Yorkshire-based Twisted Automotive originally built its reputation on heavily customized, tailored versions of the boxy Land Rover Defender. It kept the British brand's rugged and agricultural appearance but added thoroughly modernized powertrains, suspension, and interior. It's the kind of thing with global appeal, and Twisted will happily build one of their T90 Defenders to your specification, whether you live in New York or London. However, should you happen to reside in California, perhaps Twisted's latest creation has a little more appeal. Pleased T' Meet You It's called the TBug, and it's exactly what it looks like: a restomodded version of the original Baja Bug concept. Fitted with cutaway fender flares, chunky BFGoodrich off-road tires, and friendly LED headlights, it's like a Pixar movie come to life. It's utterly adorable and crammed with character. Richard Scarry would have loved it. Twisted Automotive Even better—if you're something of a Volkswagen purist—is that the TBug is all about the proper vintage VW ethos, doing more with less. It hasn't been swapped to turbocharged power or fitted with an EV running gear and big batteries. No, it is simply running an uprated version of the original air-cooled flat-four with no more than 80 hp on tap. Eighty horses in a VW Bug is plenty, but it also allows the driver to wring the car's neck on the regular. Will there be sandy roostertails and dune jumping? You better believe it. A TBug Built for You Like its other creations, Twisted will build the TBug to customer specs, so there's a great deal of fine-tuning to be done. The company suggests that no two will be the same, so you genuinely are getting something bespoke here. Beyond the engine, standard modifications will include a sealed and strengthened chassis, Bilstein dampers on a long-travel suspension, and EMPI Baja wheels. Twisted Automotive Twisted Automotive From there, there's a host of interior treatments and, of course, the chance to paint your dune-hopping Beetle in whatever bright color takes your fancy. No doubt the pricetag for one of these will be more restomod air-cooled 911 than vintage VeeDub, but owners are bound to be delighted by what looks like a hugely fun driving experience. Or, as they say in Yorkshire, this little Beetle will leave you right chuffed. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Hypebeast
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
Twisted Reimagines the Baja Bug With New TBug Special Project
Summary Twisted Automotivehas unveiled its latest Special Project: theTBug, a radically reimagined take on the classic Baja Bug. Inspired by founder Charles Fawcett's childhood memories ofBeetleposters on his sister's wall, the TBug channels the rebellious spirit of desert racing through a modern lens. Far from a simple restoration, the TBug starts with a '60s to '80s air-cooled Beetle and is stripped down to first principles. The chassis is sealed and strengthened, long-travel suspension added and oversized BFG tires fitted for rugged capability. Despite doubling the original horsepower, the TBug stays under 80 hp to maintain a pure, connected driving experience. 'We wanted to capture the honest simplicity of the original Baja Bugs,' said Twisted's lead engineer Rob, 'but filter it through our obsession with engineering excellence.' Each TBug is bespoke, with no two builds alike. From hand-finished interiors to LED lighting and upgraded brakes, every detail serves a purpose. The TBug will debut May 29 at Twisted's Kensington Mews showroom, with price available upon request via the automaker'sofficial site.
Top Gear
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
The Twisted TBug is a glorious Baja Bug with the cutest face
The Twisted TBug is a glorious Baja Bug with the cutest face Yorkshire-based Twisted takes a break from restomodding Defenders and tuning Jimnys. Creates something excellent Skip 16 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 16 When you hear that a tuner or restomodder has doubled the power output of the original car for its latest creation, it probably conjures up dreams of monstrous turbo lag and possibly ludicrous torque steer. That… probably won't be the case here. Because while Yorkshire-based firm Twisted has doubled the grunt of the air-cooled flat-four Volkswagen Beetle engine in its new TBug, it's still making less than 80bhp. Advertisement - Page continues below "It's about the connection between driver, machine, and terrain," said Twisted boss Charles Fawcett. "That sensation of working with the vehicle rather than merely sitting in it. Modern cars have isolated us from the driving experience. The T-Bug brings it back in its purest form." It really does look like it'd be a riot to drive. Look beyond the cartoonish face with its new LED lighting and you'll find a chassis that has been sealed and strengthened, long-travel suspension with Bilstein shocks, EMPI Baja wheels and proper off-road spec BF Goodrich tyres. And yes, Twisted's pretty au fait with off-roading given its usual fare is old Land Rover Defenders and new Suzuki Jimnys. There's also a Baja-inspired bodykit, upgraded brakes and a 'hand-finished' interior that's full of leather and gets a digital speedo, although we're told each TBug will be unique to its owner so we'd imagine you could spec bucket seats and all of the Alcantara if you really wanted to test its desert racer word on the price yet, though. So, why has Twisted taken a break from its restomod Land Rovers to reimagine a Beetle? Advertisement - Page continues below 'My sister Helen had these incredible Baja Bug posters on her bedroom wall when we were kids," said Fawcett. 'There was something about those modified Beetles – rebellious, capable, and unashamedly fun – that captured my imagination.' Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
