- UK defender specialist Twisted has moved from Land Rover to VW for their newest special project.
- The TBug draws inspiration from the Baja-style Beetles that were prevalent in California during the late ’60s and early ’70s.
- Twisted claims they have doubled the power of the air-cooled boxer engine; however, the output remains under 80 horsepower.
If you’re familiar with Twisted, just hearing that name might bring to mind visuals of ruggedly built individuals who exude a classic toughness.
Defenders
modified with aggressive wheel and tire packages and the kind of interior trim you expect on a luxury car. But the UK-based outfit has thrown us a real curveball with its latest special project, a modern take on the classic Baja Bug.
The first Baja Bugs were created in Southern California in the late 1960s and named after the legendary off-road race in which VW Beetle-based Meyers Manx buggies proved the capability and traction of the VW’s air-cooled engine.
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Twisted Equips Suzuki Jimny with Luxurious Leather interior and a Turbocharger at a Cost
Rather than investing time and effort in transferring all components from a Beetle into a Meyers fiberglass chassis, enthusiasts opted for removing the original vehicle’s bodywork and elevating the suspension to build an efficient off-roader. A modification that became so popular it led to countless Beetles being altered throughout the 1970s.
Tamiya
reducing the concept with its instantly recognizable Sand Scorcher RC vehicle.
Twisted’s TBug adheres to the classic design established by early Baja Bugs. It features elevated fenders for increased ground clearance, a truncated front hood, and a redesigned nose with closely spaced (and now LED) headlamps that enhance its iconic Baja appearance. However, this distinctive style is fully realized thanks to the modified rear section which exposes the air-cooled flat-four engine.
Photos Twisted
2X power upgrade
Twisted says it’s doubled the power of the boxer engine, though don’t get too excited because there are still fewer than 80 horses (79 PS) at your right foot’s command. Other mods include a heavy-duty suspension upgrade to massively increase the amount of daylight under the floorpan, and a fat set of BF Goodrich tires on custom wheels.
Given that this is a Twisted product, the TBug equally focuses on enhancing upgrades.
Beetle
Inside, customization options abound, allowing buyers to tailor the vehicle according to their preferences. As for pricing details or production numbers, Twisted remains tight-lipped, likely due to ongoing assessments of market interest and technical viability.
However, since nearly every donor Bug will require extensive refurbishment before the Baja transformation can take place, and considering that many of the firm’s Defender conversions appear to cost over £150,000 ($200,000), you should expect it to come with a hefty price tag.
Twisted’s Previous Twists
This isn’t Twisted’s first attempt to try its hand at something that isn’t a Defender. It already offers custom boat conversions and has modified a few Suzuki Jimnys for around $62k. And Twisted isn’t the only company that made its name reimagining one particular model, but has had thoughts of branching out.
A few years ago, Mazen Fawaz from Singer Design shared with me that both he and the founder, Rob Dickinson, had mulled over various concepts for projects beyond the 911 series that they wanted to explore. However, he didn’t disclose these ideas at the time, and since then, all we’ve seen from them have been Porsche 911 builds. It’s worth noting that Singer continues to impress us consistently with their fresh interpretations of 964 models. But I’m curious—what kind of project do you think the company should take on next?
