Over time, there’s a response I’ve come to anticipate from readers and fanatics I meet. Each 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 just a few days in the past, I hadn’t. Based mostly in Chatsworth, California, ICON virtually pioneered the restomod area. Its concentrate on high quality and obsession with particulars means it additionally units the usual by which rivals measure up. You’d be stunned to be taught simply what number of firms pitch their merchandise for evaluation by claiming to be “like ICON” solely to then add “however cheaper” or “with faster construct occasions” 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 vehicles, in-progress builds, and some body-less frames. Quick and low cost seem to be international 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 singular cloth sourced for an upcoming construct, solely to pivot but once more, excited to debate tasks he’d prefer 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 heart referred to as TLC, on the map. As an alternative, Ward and Davis led me to a matte black prototype parked in the midst of the workshop. At first look, it seems 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 contemporary crate V8 from Ford however a battery pack as a substitute. 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 included into an ICON construct. Second Motors joined the undertaking with options, the Austin-based agency having expertise in electric-swapping vehicles of assorted makes and fashions. Over an 18-month improvement cycle, the 2 firms poured over 5,000 hours into creating an electrical drivetrain explicitly designed for this software.
I see the battery pack hidden under as Ward raises the prototype’s hood. Break 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 stream 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 soar from 20 to 80 % state of cost in below an hour when DC quick charging.
As we pull out of the workshop and seeking a winding highway, the advantages of an electrified traditional are immediately recognizable. As I’m positive a lot of you’ve got additionally discovered the arduous method, classic automotive possession takes dedication. A stage of dedication past the power to maintain a cool head throughout a breakdown or a willingness to abdomen expensive restore builds. Fashionable vehicles have spoiled us, and it’s not till we get behind the wheel of one thing a long time previous that we notice simply how well-isolated, comfy, and straightforward to drive they’ve change into.
Having grown up round older off-roaders, I’m conversant in how archaic the expertise can really feel as a driver and passenger. Earlier than entering into the EV, nonetheless, Ward suggests I familiarize myself with ICON by taking a V8-powered Bronco for a fast spin; this two-tone instance sports activities a guide transmission.
Just a few miles in, I’m comfy behind the wheel. It’s straightforward to drive. It accelerates, stops, and steers fantastically whereas retaining its classic appeal, a feat the unique might solely dream of. A free-flowing exhaust permits its V8 to sing its burbly observe on the throttle whereas underscoring the expertise with a rowdy observe at idle. It’s, with out query, one of the best driving restomod I’ve examined thus far, one which feels totally 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 stage 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 interior combustion truck may be a thriller however stays a car for particular events. It’s the sort of factor you’d take out for a Sunday drive alongside the Pacific Coast or to cruise on the open highway. Its electrical twin, nonetheless, shines by being way more of a go-anywhere, do-anything type of machine.
It’s not even its large energy output that impresses most, as ICON has opted to cut 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 out there to maximise vary, this Bronco’s electrical drive unit introduces a stage of smoothness to the driving expertise that additional bridges the hole between a contemporary car and a traditional.
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 unique 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 method 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 challenge.
Ward jumps into the motive force’s seat on the best way again to his workshop, desirous 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 stage of immediate efficiency is way extra putting when it powers a tall classic off-roader.
Herein lies the ICON EV Bronco’s biggest power. Just like the V8-powered truck I drove earlier, its driving expertise is way from what you’d get from an unrestored unique, but even its adoption of electrical propulsion fails to detract from its classic character. This nonetheless finally seems 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 items of its EV Bronco as a part of a particular version collection. Provided in each the Outdated Faculty and New Faculty 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 fanatics yr after yr. ICON may need pioneered the area, however its repute lives on as a result of it builds one of the best restomods I’ve ever pushed. There’s a completeness to those vehicles that I haven’t skilled earlier than, a byproduct of their in depth 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 may well supply a bundle designed for this particular software, ICON’s consideration to element and considerate engineering imply that its first foray into the world of electrical classics seems like a step ahead for the way versatile and usable a restomod might be.
