Over time, there’s a response I’ve come to count on from readers and lovers 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 a number of days in the past, I hadn’t. Primarily based in Chatsworth, California, ICON virtually pioneered the restomod house. Its deal with 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 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 rapidly, 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 rapidly turns into obvious that ICON’s enthusiasm and element obsession begin on the very prime.
Nevertheless, I’m not right here to drive one of many Toyota Land Cruisers that put ICON, previously an FJ restoration and servicing middle often known 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 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 disguise a recent 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 take advantage of 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 software.
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 movement 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 p.c state of cost in beneath an hour when DC quick charging.
As we pull out of the workshop and in the hunt for a winding street, the advantages of an electrified basic are immediately recognizable. As I’m positive a lot of you could have additionally discovered the exhausting manner, classic automotive possession takes dedication. A stage of dedication past the flexibility to maintain a cool head throughout a breakdown or a willingness to abdomen pricey restore builds. Fashionable automobiles have spoiled us, and it’s not till we get behind the wheel of one thing many years outdated that we understand simply how well-isolated, snug, and simple to drive they’ve turn 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, 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 number of miles in, I’m snug behind the wheel. It’s simple to drive. It accelerates, stops, and steers fantastically whereas retaining its classic attraction, 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 very best driving restomod I’ve examined so far, one which feels completely developed, not simply the byproduct of off-the-shelf parts thrown collectively beneath 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 attraction. The interior combustion truck is perhaps a thriller however stays a automobile 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 street. Its electrical twin, nevertheless, shines by being way more of a go-anywhere, do-anything kind 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 obtainable 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 automobile and a basic.
Its central display, 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 data. 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 provide loads of stopping energy however don’t produce pointless noise round city. Regardless of swapping an inner 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 much heavier than its inner combustion twin. But, its cut up battery pack permits it to retain good weight distribution whereas its added heft helps additional easy the experience. The 2 halves of the pack are enclosed in waterproof housings, which means they are often submerged in as much as 3.3 ft of water for as much as half-hour with out situation.
Ward jumps into the driving force’s seat on the best way again to his workshop, wanting to reveal 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 on the spot efficiency is much extra hanging 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 much 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 seems like an outdated truck, only one whose improved ease of use makes it way more approachable to extra folks. Its use case broadens from idyllic drives to being genuinely every 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. Supplied in each the Previous College and New College kinds, 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 stored listening to the identical assertion from readers and lovers yr after yr. ICON might need pioneered the house, however its status lives on as a result of it builds the very best 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 might probably provide 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 may be.
