Over time, there’s a response I’ve come to anticipate from readers and fans I meet. Every time I point out that I’m reviewing a restomod, no matter make or mannequin, I’m met with some model of the next.
“That’s cool, however have you ever pushed an ICON?”
Up till a couple of days in the past, I hadn’t. Based mostly in Chatsworth, California, ICON virtually pioneered the restomod area. Its deal with high quality and obsession with particulars means it additionally units the usual by which rivals measure up. You’d be shocked to study simply what number of corporations pitch their merchandise for assessment by claiming to be “like ICON” solely to then add “however cheaper” or “with faster construct instances” or another modifier that’s meaningless when discussing re-engineered classics costing nicely over six figures.
I stand in ICON’s expansive workshop, surrounded by accomplished automobiles, in-progress builds, and some body-less frames. Quick and low cost look like overseas ideas right here. Firm founder and CEO Jonathan Ward leads the tour alongside Second Motors founder Marc Davis. Ward strikes shortly, in a single occasion pointing to the weld high quality on a chassis, the following showcasing a novel cloth sourced for an upcoming construct, solely to pivot but once more, excited to debate tasks he’d wish to tackle. It shortly turns into obvious that ICON’s enthusiasm and element obsession begin on the very high.
Nevertheless, I’m not right here to drive one of many Toyota Land Cruisers that put ICON, previously an FJ restoration and servicing middle referred to as TLC, on the map. As a substitute, Ward and Davis led me to a matte black prototype parked in the course of the workshop. At first look, it appears to be like like one of many many Ford Broncos the builder sells alongside its lineup of Chevy Thriftmasters. Nonetheless, a decal adorning its rear quarter panel denotes a key distinction. Its hood doesn’t conceal a recent crate V8 from Ford however a battery pack as an alternative. ICON’s first electrical restomod is a $449,000 off-roader, of which simply ten will ever exist.
I exploit the phrase “first” loosely as a result of Ward says this isn’t the primary time he’s swapped cylinders for batteries. Nevertheless, his earlier makes an attempt solely confirmed that the expertise wasn’t able to be integrated into an ICON construct. Second Motors joined the venture with options, the Austin-based agency having expertise in electric-swapping automobiles of varied makes and fashions. Over an 18-month improvement cycle, the 2 corporations poured over 5,000 hours into creating an electrical drivetrain explicitly designed for this utility.
I see the battery pack hidden beneath as Ward raises the prototype’s hood. Cut up into two enclosures, the second nestled beneath the truck’s rear finish, it sports activities a complete capability of 105 kilowatt-hours. The electrons it shops circulate to a centrally-mounted drive unit that replaces this truck’s transmission and switch case. Mated to a full-time all-wheel-drive system, this setup develops 500 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque, permitting a time to 60 mph of simply 4.5 seconds. ICON estimates as much as 200 miles of real-world vary from this 400-volt system and may leap from 20 to 80 % state of cost in below an hour when DC quick charging.
As we pull out of the workshop and in quest of a winding highway, the advantages of an electrified basic are immediately recognizable. As I’m certain lots of you may have additionally realized the exhausting means, classic automotive possession takes dedication. A degree of dedication past the flexibility to maintain a cool head throughout a breakdown or a willingness to abdomen pricey restore builds. Trendy automobiles have spoiled us, and it’s not till we get behind the wheel of one thing many years previous that we understand simply how well-isolated, comfy, and straightforward to drive they’ve grow to be.
Having grown up round older off-roaders, I’m aware of how archaic the expertise can really feel as a driver and passenger. Earlier than entering into the EV, nevertheless, Ward suggests I familiarize myself with ICON by taking a V8-powered Bronco for a fast spin; this two-tone instance sports activities a handbook transmission.
A couple of miles in, I’m comfy behind the wheel. It’s straightforward to drive. It accelerates, stops, and steers fantastically whereas retaining its classic allure, a feat the unique might solely dream of. A free-flowing exhaust permits its V8 to sing its burbly be aware on the throttle whereas underscoring the expertise with a rowdy be aware at idle. It’s, with out query, the perfect driving restomod I’ve examined up to now, one which feels completely developed, not simply the byproduct of off-the-shelf elements thrown collectively below fairly bodywork.
Nevertheless, the EV manages to be even higher. The electrical Bronco provides a degree of refinement to the expertise that solely broadens its use case. As a fan of naturally aspirated V8s, even I can immediately see the enchantment. The inner combustion truck may be a thriller however stays a car for particular events. It’s the type of factor you’d take out for a Sunday drive alongside the Pacific Coast or to cruise on the open highway. Its electrical twin, nevertheless, shines by being way more of a go-anywhere, do-anything form of machine.
It’s not even its super energy output that impresses most, as ICON has opted to scale back it for this drive whereas it finalizes the calibration of its max output Sport mode. But, as we cruise within the center Regular setting with Eco accessible to maximise vary, this Bronco’s electrical drive unit introduces a degree of smoothness to the driving expertise that additional bridges the hole between a contemporary car and a basic.
Its central display screen, the identical unit that homes its reverse digicam whereas providing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, doubles because the management for this truck’s drive modes whereas additionally displaying drivetrain info. An analog gauge left of the steering wheel retains the vibe of its authentic counterpart and incorporates solely a small show.
Its electro-hydraulic steering is comparatively gentle and, crucially for a correct off-roader, has no points monitoring straight with out fixed inputs. Its upsized Brembo brakes supply loads of stopping energy however don’t produce pointless noise round city. Regardless of swapping an inside combustion engine in favor of batteries, this Bronco retains the components integral to ICON’s success. It pairs a bespoke Reiger suspension with the builder’s multi-link setup. It sports activities Currie axles, an ARB locking entrance differential, and a limited-slip unit out again.
Weighing in at 5,420 kilos, ICON’s first EV is way heavier than its inside combustion twin. But, its break up battery pack permits it to retain good weight distribution whereas its added heft helps additional easy the journey. The 2 halves of the pack are enclosed in waterproof housings, which means they are often submerged in as much as 3.3 toes of water for as much as half-hour with out situation.
Ward jumps into the motive force’s seat on the best way again to his workshop, desperate to display the truck’s max output mode. As we attain a freeway underpass, he flooring the accelerator, and this decade-old truck takes off. Fast EVs are nothing new, however this degree of instantaneous efficiency is way extra putting when it powers a tall classic off-roader.
Herein lies the ICON EV Bronco’s best power. Just like the V8-powered truck I drove earlier, its driving expertise is way from what you’d get from an unrestored authentic, but even its adoption of electrical propulsion fails to detract from its classic character. This nonetheless finally looks like an previous truck, only one whose improved ease of use makes it way more approachable to extra individuals. Its use case broadens from idyllic drives to being genuinely each day usable, and extra miles behind the wheels means extra miles loved.
ICON plans to construct ten models of its EV Bronco as a part of a particular version collection. Supplied in each the Previous College and New College types, it begins at $449,000, with deliveries anticipated to start later this yr. Ward plans to make sure that no two examples are similar, every custom-tailored to its proprietor.
Again on the builder’s workshop, it’s clear why I saved listening to the identical assertion from readers and fans yr after yr. ICON might need pioneered the area, however its fame lives on as a result of it builds the perfect restomods I’ve ever pushed. There’s a completeness to those vehicles that I haven’t skilled earlier than, a byproduct of their intensive improvement and re-engineering.
Whereas the EV Bronco is a primary for the model, it isn’t the primary restomod to undertake this powertrain configuration. But, by ready till it could actually supply a package deal designed for this particular utility, ICON’s consideration to element and considerate engineering imply that its first foray into the world of electrical classics looks like a step ahead for the way versatile and usable a restomod will be.
