Over time, there’s a response I’ve come to count on 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 just a few days in the past, I hadn’t. Based mostly in Chatsworth, California, ICON virtually pioneered the restomod house. Its give attention to high quality and obsession with particulars means it additionally units the usual by which rivals measure up. You’d be stunned to study simply what number of corporations 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 properly 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 look like 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 subsequent showcasing a novel cloth sourced for an upcoming construct, solely to pivot but once more, excited to debate initiatives he’d wish to tackle. It shortly turns into obvious that ICON’s enthusiasm and element obsession begin on the very high.
Nonetheless, I’m not right here to drive one of many Toyota Land Cruisers that put ICON, previously an FJ restoration and servicing heart generally known 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 an alternative. 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. Nonetheless, his earlier makes an attempt solely confirmed that the know-how wasn’t able to be integrated into an ICON construct. Second Motors joined the mission with options, the Austin-based agency having expertise in electric-swapping vehicles 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 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 circulation 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 bounce from 20 to 80 p.c state of cost in underneath an hour when DC quick charging.
As we pull out of the workshop and looking for a winding street, the advantages of an electrified basic are immediately recognizable. As I’m certain lots of you could have additionally realized the onerous method, classic automobile 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. Trendy vehicles have spoiled us, and it’s not till we get behind the wheel of one thing a long time outdated that we notice simply how well-isolated, snug, and straightforward to drive they’ve turn out 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, 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 snug behind the wheel. It’s straightforward to drive. It accelerates, stops, and steers superbly whereas retaining its classic attraction, a feat the unique may 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, the very best driving restomod I’ve examined up to now, one which feels totally developed, not simply the byproduct of off-the-shelf parts thrown collectively underneath fairly bodywork.
Nonetheless, 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 sort of factor you’d take out for a Sunday drive alongside the Pacific Coast or to cruise on the open street. Its electrical twin, nonetheless, shines by being way more of a go-anywhere, do-anything form of machine.
It’s not even its great 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 accessible 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 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 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 system 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 inner combustion twin. But, its break up battery pack permits it to retain good weight distribution whereas its added heft helps additional clean the journey. The 2 halves of the pack are enclosed in waterproof housings, that 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 driving force’s seat on the best way again to his workshop, wanting 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 prompt efficiency is way extra hanging when it powers a tall classic off-roader.
Herein lies the ICON EV Bronco’s biggest energy. 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 outdated 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 sequence. Provided in each the Outdated 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 equivalent, 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 fans yr after yr. ICON might need pioneered the house, however its fame lives on as a result of it builds the very best restomods I’ve ever pushed. There’s a completeness to those vans 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 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 looks like a step ahead for the way versatile and usable a restomod will be.
