Latest news with #JonathanWard
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
This Rusty Old Truck Is Actually a New Silverado Underneath
There are so many over-the-top, ostentatious, and unfortunately, ugly truck restomods out there that they all sort of blend together. But Icon makes sure its projects stand out. The Los Angeles, California-based shop known for keeping the original charm of its builds has done it again with a gorgeous 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup. Although this truck looks like it was pulled from a scrapyard, it's actually fully modern underneath. As part of Icon's 'Derelict' series of vehicles, this Chevrolet C20 has a vintage shell with period-correct styling—and even faux rust for that truly retro look—but it sits atop a modern Silverado platform. Photo by: Icon Inside, this truck has a custom dashboard featuring amenities like a center touchscreen with a backup camera, an audio system, modern gauges, and more. Not to mention the bench seat upholstered in a lovely Connolly leather and wool plaid. The engine is a stock 5.3-liter Ecotec V-8 borrowed from the Silverado. "The biggest challenge was preserving the soul of the 1970s while ensuring today's modern, reliable technology still works flawlessly," notes Icon Founder and CEO, Jonathan Ward. "Thanks to our incredible team, we were able to maintain full OEM functionality of the Silverado's CAN bus systems—a massive engineering accomplishment that allows this build to be serviced just like a new truck." Icon doesn't list a price for this particular project either, but we can't imagine that much attention to detail comes cheap. Thankfully, this won't be the only Silverado reimagined as part of Icon's Derelict series. The shop says it has a second, 1968 C10 Short Bed already in development. 75 Source: Icon More Awesome Restomods This MGA Restomod Has a Miata's Soul. And It's Brilliant This Jaguar E-Type Restomod Does the Original Proud Source: Icon Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES HIGHLIGHTS OCTOBER 2025 EPICUREAN AND CULTURAL EXPEDITIONS WITH LIMITED AVAILABILITY
-Celebrates Travel Advisor Appreciation Month with Special Offer- Imagery may be downloaded here. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Ocean Voyages, the leader in yacht expedition cruising, is highlighting a trio of voyages with limited availability this October that explore Northern Europe and the continent's Atlantic coast. Additionally, in recognition of Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, advisors can earn a $500 gift card for every new booking on these voyages in addition to any June through October sailing booked by June 30, 2025. These voyages—featuring a celebrated astronomer, renowned chefs, photographers and wine experts—combine expert-led enrichment with luxurious discovery aboard the stylish expedition yachts World Voyager, World Navigator, and World Traveller. "As we approach the summer season, owing so much of the strong European Epicurean and Cultural Expedition bookings' success to our travel advisor partners, we are pleased to offer a special incentive for the limited space that remains in 2025," shares James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. "These three sailings highlight the versatility of our small expedition yachts and the outstanding enrichment we offer on both Epicurean and Cultural Expeditions." Below are October 2025 sailings with limited availability remaining: World Voyager: Amsterdam to Dublin (10 nights) Departure: Oct. 1, 2025Guests will set sail through Northern Europe in the company of Astronomer Jonathan Ward and Drone/Aerial Cinematographer Benjamin Lepoff. From Amsterdam's historic charm to the rugged Irish coastline, this voyage will feature enrichment programs including on-deck stargazing with advanced telescopes and exclusive photography workshops as part of the Atlas Focus Lab. World Traveller: Lisbon to Las Palmas (9 nights) | Departure: Oct. 2, 2025Culinary enthusiasts can delight in this southbound sailing alongside Culinary Lecturer and Cookbook Author Paulette Mitchell and Lecturer Michael Higgins. Guests will explore Portugal's coastal gems and the Canary Islands, enjoying regional tastings, cooking demos, and destination-focused lectures that enhance the flavors and history of each port. World Navigator: Barcelona to Lisbon (8 nights) | Departure: Oct. 7, 2025Set sail from Spain to Portugal on this Epicurean Expedition, ideal for food and culture enthusiasts. Enjoy culinary demos by a guest chef, a yachtsman cook-off, and a chef's market tour for an authentic taste of the region. Guests also receive a complimentary immersive experience in Seville, featuring a memorable Flamenco evening. World Voyager: Dublin to Lisbon (10 nights) | Departure: October 11, 2025 This west-to-south Atlantic sailing features Television Host and Chef Christy Rost and Vintner Jon Schlegel, blending culinary excellence with wine education. Guests will experience food and wine pairings, market tours, and seminars highlighting European harvest traditions—all while traveling between two historic capitals, and enjoying an overnight in the UNESCO city of Bordeaux. In celebration of Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, Atlas Ocean Voyages is saying thank you with a special limited-time bonus. Travel advisors receive a $500 gift card for each new booking made on select expeditions sailing June through October 2025. This exclusive appreciation offer is our way of recognizing your partnership and dedication. Act now—this incentive is available for new bookings only and must be booked by June 30, 2025. For information and reservations, call a travel advisor or or visit Follow Atlas on Facebook and Instagram: or About Atlas Ocean VoyagesAtlas Ocean Voyages offers expedition voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and the Caribbean. Stylish and intimate expedition yachts featuring less than 100 suites and staterooms offering five-star comfort, from luxurious accommodations and an all-inclusive onboard experience to in-depth excursions. Fares include a Cultural Immersion tour, open bars aboard the ship, including craft beers, specialty coffees, and smoothies, L'OCCITANE bath amenities, an in-room coffee bar, prepaid gratuities, and complimentary emergency medical evacuation insurance. World Navigator was launched in 2021, World Traveller in 2022, and World Voyager joined the fleet in 2023. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Atlas Ocean Voyages Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Motor Trend
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Icon EV Ford Bronco Prototype First Drive: The Same, But Different
'You swore you'd never do another EV,' I said, helpfully reminding him. 'We've had many conversations about it.' To that, Jonathan Ward, the founder, CEO, and head designer of Icon, just smiles. If there's one thing I know about Ward, it's that he's always looking for the next project, the next challenge, so 'never' doesn't necessarily mean never—even when he's adamant about it at the time. We've been chatting about past and future projects in his office not just for old time's sake, but as a lead-in to discussing his latest creation: the Icon EV Bronco. Based on Icon's BR Series of first-generation Ford Bronco restomods, it marks the brand's second, and far more ambitious, foray into building an electrified version of a classic off-roader. All this won't come cheap, at roughly $450,000 a pop to start. Is it worth the renewed EV effort? We had a go in a prototype version to find out. So, What Changed? Seven years ago, Ward and Icon revealed the 1949 Electric Mercury Coupe Derelict and 1966 Fiat Giardiniera EV Derelict. Even amongst other high-dollar, one-of-one specials, the Mercury and Fiat stood out for their fully electric drivetrains. They were, to paraphrase Ward, an engineering nightmare. Why the change of heart, then? The advancement of technology. In less than a decade, the suppliers of aftermarket EV powertrain hardware and their wares have improved greatly. Back in 2018, getting the Tesla-sourced battery to play nicely with the Bosch motor via Rinehart Motion Systems standalone controllers proved to be a massive headache. Managing charging, electric power steering and brakes, air conditioning, and more from different suppliers required untold hours of R&D. A decidedly modern and out-of-place LCD screen with vintage-aping graphics was the only way to do the gauges in the Buick. Today, things are different. Bosch now offers an OEM-level full vehicle controller, which made integrating the Icon-specific battery pack, reengineered Tesla motor, Volvo electric steering rack, Reiger electronically controlled dampers, Dakota gauges, Vintage Air A/C, electrically boosted Brembo brakes, and more a comparative breeze. Fully up to the minute, the system offers full OBD-II access and monitoring and even over-the-air software updates and diagnostics. No Tell The other thing to know about Ward and his Icons is there's always a tell. No matter how subtle, something gives it away as more than a restoration, even if it takes an expert to spot it. EV Broncos will be offered in both Old School and New School design themes, with varying differences from stock that make Icon's Ford Broncos relatively easy to spot. The EV Bronco has its own special tell that gives it away as special: no tailpipe. It's so subtle, even experts will miss it. A tailpipe, of course, can be tucked up under the body for a clean look. You'll only notice it if you stick your head under the truck, and even there it's the only giveaway. The Currie live axles aren't any different than those on Ford Coyote V-8-powered Icon Broncos, and the driveshafts disappear behind skidplates, so you can't see they aren't connected to a transfer case. Some orange high-voltage cabling was visible on this prototype, but the team is working to fully hide it on production models. This is all by design. Ward doesn't want anyone to know it's an EV until they turn the key. No special badges, no period-incorrect independent suspension or skateboard platform. It should look and drive like every other Icon Bronco, just quieter. And quicker. The Sum of Its Parts Back up a minute—no transfer case? That's right, the EV Bronco doesn't need one. Icon decided to reduce weight, complexity, and a potential failure point and put the motor where the transfer case used to be, eliminating it along with the engine and transmission. The heavily modified, rewound, and regeared Tesla motor sends power directly fore and aft from the center differential. With more than 500 horsepower and at least 440 lb-ft of torque available at all rpm, serious rock crawling is handled by software as much as it is mechanically. An off-road mode alters power flow to the motor while a limited-slip rear differential (a full manual ARB locker is available) and ARB locking front differential handle torque distribution and traction. This means the EV Bronco is all-wheel drive all the time (we generally use a two-speed transfer case as the delineator between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive). With no way to disconnect the front axle at the output shaft or differential and no manual locking hubs on the front axle, all four wheels get power all the time. Yes, disconnecting an axle when not needed would probably increase range, but reducing complexity and managing traction were deemed higher priorities. As it stands, Icon estimates the EV Bronco will travel somewhere between 175 to 200 miles on a charge. Power comes from a custom-built, 105-kWh battery pack running the same lithium-ion chemistry as major automakers such as Volkswagen. Cells are split between front and rear packs, one where the engine and transmission used to be and another where the gas tank used to be. Doing so gives the truck an ideal 50-50 front-rear weight distribution while keeping everything tucked up and away from trail obstacles. Icon says the curb weight increases by about 400 pounds over a similar gas-powered model. Electricity is fed from a CCS plug hidden behind the fuel door, which was its own headache. Icon went through five suppliers before it found one with the right combination of size, shape, and cooling to facilitate 100 kW of fast charging, enough to get it from 20 percent to 80 percent in under an hour. The size and the shape of the charge port were critical to fitting it behind the factory fuel door, which is the other tell even fewer people will spot. The left rear fender is from a '77 Bronco, which had a larger fuel door than the earlier models Icon uses for its builds. Power also comes from regenerative braking, naturally, which is only offered at one level. Ward decided how he wanted his EV Broncos to feel under braking, and that's what the customer will get. They can turn it off entirely, but there's no adjustments or one-pedal mode. Managing things like the regen and drive modes is handled from an upgraded touchscreen hidden in the standard Icon-designed center console, so it doesn't look out of place, either. There are clues inside, though. No transfer-case shifters on the floor are one, and the lack of a parking brake pedal is the other (it's electric on EV Broncos). Look closely, and you'll notice the column shifter only has places for park, reverse, neutral, and drive since there are no gears to change. Driving Change Ward's explicit goal for the EV Bronco was for it to look and drive like every other BR Series Icon truck, except electric. To test this claim, he arranged for me to drive a regular V-8 Icon Bronco with a five-speed manual before letting me at the EV Bronco. Oh, the things we do for our readers. Leaving the rumbling truck behind and dropping the EV in drive, the only differences that matter were immediately obvious: It's quieter and quicker. That is, Ward's team achieved his goal. The EV Bronco rides, handles, and stops like the gas-powered model. The quieter part was easy. Not having a 5.0-liter V-8 under the hood makes anything quieter. Much as we enjoy a Coyote exhaust note, the EV Bronco's electric motor does make it a lot easier to carry on a conversation. Icon lines every truck it makes with sound deadening material, but you can only do so much with vehicles designed before automakers cared about the way aerodynamics affect fuel economy. Wind noise is a given, though Icon has spent many hours working to reduce it with more to come before production trucks are built. The quicker part is less obvious if you only go by the spec sheet. The Coyote crate engines Icon uses are good for 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, which isn't all that much less than the electric motor's 500-plus hp and 440 lb-ft, especially in a truck that's 400 pounds heavier and clocks in at 5,420 pounds. Instantaneous torque, though, is a hell of a drug. Set to its least powerful drive mode, the EV Bronco feels appropriately quick for an old truck with some upgrades. In its midrange mode, it feels modern quick, much like gas-powered Icon Broncos. Unleash all the electrons, though, and its eye-wideningly, jaw-clenchingly quick. Icon claims 4.9 seconds to 60 mph, and it's the quickest 4.9 seconds we've ever felt. Big body-on-frame trucks were simply never supposed to move like this. Anything this tall with a wheelbase this short is going to be a wild ride when it's overpowered, regardless of what powers it. Throwing in a live axle makes for torque steer as pronounced as that of a same-vintage Mazdaspeed3 or Mini Cooper JCW. Combined with its slow, old truck steering that takes some 30 degrees of input to counter said torque steer, you have a unique experience to be sure. You'd better have quick hands when you get off the accelerator, too, because you need to get all that steering out immediately or you'll be making an unplanned lane change. If you don't find EVs exciting, you will after driving this one. Despite the downsides, I wouldn't give up the EV Bronco's old truck steering. One of the best things about Icon vehicles is the way they drive. The team has mastered the art of enhancing the acceleration, braking, and handling of vintage cars and trucks without losing their essence and making them feel modern. Slow, loose steering is one part of retaining that analog feel. Nor do I find the extra battery weight to be any sort of detriment. New, Icon-spec Reiger shocks in their default setting (the adjustable settings weren't finished yet on this prototype) manage the weight so well, I genuinely couldn't detect any difference in ride quality or handling compared to the lighter, gas-powered Bronco. It really does drive like the same truck, just electric. With a new car, I'd be inclined to complain about the EV Bronco's slow fast-charging speed, but this is a small, independent shop. More than that, these aren't the kinds of vehicles you take on hours-long, 200-plus-mile road trips. And really, you still could if you wanted to. Time your charging stop with a meal, and it's easy to burn an hour while the battery fills. Otherwise, it'll be full and ready on account of the Level 2 charger in your garage, because let's be honest, if you can afford an Icon, you own a home with a place to charge it. Exclusivity Isn't Free Icon will build an exclusive first run of just 10 EV Broncos to test the market. Buyers can choose either the New or Old School style in whatever paint job they desire. Customization and personalization are always on the table for those willing to build on the $450,000 starting price, especially because Ward says there will be no repeats in those first 10. If the demand is there— and the EV Bronco is clearly engineered in a manner that anticipates many more future builds —Icon will do more and could potentially expand the option to its FJ Cruiser and Chevrolet Thriftmaster lines.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ICON 4x4 Debuts First EV Bronco, Blending Classic Design with Modern Electric Muscle
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Famed restomod builder ICON 4x4 has unveiled its first-ever fully electric vehicle—a bespoke EV Bronco that blends classic Ford styling with cutting-edge electric performance. Dubbed the 'Blue Star,' the project marks ICON's entrance into the electric future of automotive customization. Known for breathing new life into vintage Land Cruisers, Cherokees, and Defenders, the California-based shop took on one of its most ambitious builds to date—converting a first-generation Ford Bronco into a high-performance EV without losing the soul of the original design. Built in collaboration with Moment Motor Company of Austin, Texas, the project took 18 months and more than 5,000 hours of engineering and testing. The result is a Bronco unlike any other. Packing a 105-kWh battery and a 400-volt architecture, the EV produces 500 horsepower, launches from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and offers up to 200 miles of range. 'This was a dream project,' said ICON founder Jonathan Ward. 'Our client gave us the freedom to push boundaries, and we've delivered an EV that honors the heritage of the Bronco while redefining what it can be.' The EV Bronco features full-time four-wheel drive, massive off-road tires, upgraded suspension, and modern amenities like air conditioning and audio—all housed in a classically styled interior with bespoke blue-and-white leather and custom gauges designed to display EV information with a vintage flair. Charging is handled via an onboard 6.6kW system or fast-charged with CCS, and the waterproof battery is IP67 rated for rugged adventures. ICON says the Blue Star is only the beginning, with more electric restomods planned as EV technology continues to evolve.
The National
18-02-2025
- Science
- The National
Nasa increases chance of ‘city destroyer' asteroid hitting Earth in 2032 to one in 43
Scientists around the world are tracking a newly-discovered asteroid that has been given a one-in-43 chance of striking the Earth in seven years, and Nasa said the odds on could 'continue to rise'. The rock, designated Asteroid 2024 YR4, could hit on December 22, 2032, according to the US space agency. Scientists want to learn more about YR4's trajectory and size, but the asteroid is too faint to observe as it is moving away from Earth right now. It is estimated to be between 40 to 91 metres wide and could, in theory, unleash about 500 times the energy of the atomic bomb that hit the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Jonathan Ward, a fellow with the Royal Astronomical Society, told The National that several factors could influence the asteroid's trajectory, including the Yarkovsky effect, where the asteroid absorbs and radiates enough heat from the Sun that it changes course. 'We won't know anything better about its potential for an impact in 2032 until it comes back by the Earth in 2028. And in fact, we're going to lose it to Earth-based telescopes within the next several weeks,' he said. 'The James Webb Space Telescope will probably still be able to track it from infrared radiation (heat signatures) for a while. But we won't be able to track it all the way around the Sun.' Observations so far also show that the asteroid is a stony type rather than a metal-rich one, which means if it does reach Earth, it could break up in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. But if more detailed observations show it is metal-rich and with the current size estimates, it means the asteroid would create a force equivalent to as much as eight megatons of TNT, hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. It could create a crater hundreds of metres wide, with severe destruction in a 10 to 20km radius. A land impact near a populated area could cause mass casualties and infrastructure damage. If the asteroid hits an ocean, it could generate a tsunami that would produce waves tens of metres high near coastal regions. An atmospheric explosion would result in an even stronger blast, potentially causing citywide destruction. Historical asteroid events provide context for what could happen if 2024 YR4 were to hit Earth. In 1908, the Tunguska event in Siberia was caused by an asteroid or comet estimated to be 50 to 60 metres in diameter. The explosion flattened more than 2,000 square kilometres of forest. In 2013, the Chelyabinsk meteor, which was 20 metres across, created an airburst that shattered windows across hundreds of kilometres, injuring more than 1,500 people. Khadijah Ahmed, operations manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, told The National that researchers continue to refine the asteroid's orbit. 'The key issue is that the asteroid's path is still uncertain, and it's moving away from Earth, making it harder to track,' she said. 'We could stop an asteroid like 2024 YR4 if we act early, but we need better tracking, more advanced tech and faster decision-making to be fully prepared.' Nasa had carried out the DART mission in 2022, where it crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid to demonstrate how a space rock's course can be changed in the event of a real threat to Earth. Mr Ward said that mission was the 'best chance we have' in terms of mitigation, however, it would take about three-to-five years to prepare and launch. 'If we can change the course of the asteroid in such a way that its orbital period changes by 10 or 20 minutes, that will be enough for it to miss the Earth,' he said. 'But the problem is we don't know where the asteroid is going to be until 2028. So, that gives us little time to be able to launch a mission and intercept the asteroid directly.' Researchers are now using space-based infrared telescopes, like James Webb and Neowise to monitor the asteroid. Ms Khadijah said that a special space mission, similar to Nasa's upcoming NEO Surveyor, could also provide crucial data by tracking the asteroid in infrared, which is better for detecting dark space rocks. 'A nuclear detonation could be a last-resort option to push the asteroid off course – not blowing it up, just pushing it – but there are many legal and political challenges to using nukes in space,' she said. 'Another option would be laser/ion beams. These are more experimental ideas where lasers or ion beams slowly push the asteroid over time. They require technology that isn't fully developed yet, but in the future, they could offer a precise, non-destructive way to redirect space rocks.' The asteroid is classified as a Level Three threat under the Torino Scale, which is used to assess the risk posed by near-Earth objects like asteroids. Level Three means that the asteroid 'needs monitoring' and that there is a small chance of impact. For perspective, Level eight to 10 was the Chicxulub asteroid, an event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
