Modern cars are becoming faster, quieter, and more technologically advanced, but they are losing the main component — the pleasure of driving at low speed. While sports cars like the Porsche 911 or BMW M5 only reveal themselves on the track, the British company Twisted offers a completely different approach. Its TBug project is a restomod based on the classic Volkswagen Beetle, inspired by the legendary Baja Bugs of the 1960s, and, according to Maddox Kay, it is the most fun car he has ever driven at a speed of only 60 km/h.
TBug is a modern reimagining of the Californian "Beetle-hermit." Shortened bumpers, wide fenders, off-road tires, and an open rear engine give it a rebellious look. The creators of the project, the British workshop Twisted, known for its expensive and finely assembled Land Rover Defenders, decided to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary with the release of a limited series of such cars. The cost of each TBug is 149 thousand dollars. Expensive, but, according to the creators, the price is justified by attention to detail and a unique atmosphere.
Twisted founder Charles Fawcett grew up in England, but from childhood he was fascinated by the spirit of Southern California automotive culture of the 60s. He spent a long time preparing Defenders for off-road, creating cars that retained their character but became more comfortable and technologically advanced. It was this experience that formed the basis of the TBug — a car that returns the driver to the physical sensation of the road and the simple joy of driving.
Under the hood of the restomod is a reworked 1776cc air-cooled opposed engine with about 80 hp. It is equipped with forged cylinders and pistons, two Weber carburetors, and a modernized crankshaft. The suspension is completely new, with a long stroke and an independent rear axle. The car stands on BFGoodrich tires and is equipped with reinforced brakes. Despite the "old-school" layout, the TBug drives surprisingly accurately and enthusiastically, reminding us that driving is not necessarily associated with high speed.
The test drive author describes the process as "pure mechanical harmony." When the opposed engine comes to life, the cabin is filled with a soft sound and the smell of fresh leather. The clutch with the floor hinge requires getting used to, but the pedal response is clear and predictable. On the Monticello Motor Club track, the TBug reveals itself — without power steering, with lively handling and slight rolls in corners. The car seems to invite you to dance: the rear axle easily goes into a skid, and the driver instinctively catches the balance, controlling the gas and steering wheel. All this happens at a speed of about 64 km/h, and this is the essence of its charm.
Twisted emphasizes manual assembly and meticulous precision. According to the company's manager, adjusting the "click" of the door in the Defender can take up to 12 hours, and this approach has been preserved in the TBug. Even the speaker housings inside the cabin are equipped with vibration dampers to eliminate unnecessary sounds. The interior features natural leather, metal details, and a minimum of plastic. Contrary to its external simplicity, inside there is everything you need: Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and a high-quality audio system.
In practice, the TBug is not about speed and power. It's about contact with the car, about the feeling when you're driving something alive. Its dynamics are slower than any modern hatchback, but the sensations are the opposite. The car reacts to the slightest movements, every bump is felt, every turn becomes an event. This is a return to the origins, to what cars were originally invented for.
Of course, the TBug has its drawbacks: a clumsy gear lever, the smell of gasoline, and a complete lack of modern safety systems. But you forget about it behind the wheel. The car gives a rare feeling of synchronization, when you and the technology act as one. The journalist admits that even after a short trip he realized: this is the perfect car for narrow country roads, where you simply can't drive fast.
Twisted is going to produce about five of these "beetles" a year, using rust-free bodies found in the USA, and completely restoring them to the company's standards. Each TBug is unique and created by hand. Yes, it costs as much as a new Porsche, but it brings much more emotion at speeds that don't require race tracks.
The TBug proves that true driving pleasure is not measured in horsepower and seconds to hundreds. Sometimes happiness is 80 hp, a short track, the smell of gasoline, and a smile on your face. In a world where cars are becoming smarter but colder, Twisted brings back the simple magic for which people get behind the wheel at all.
