An increasing number of tuning companies throughout the world are getting involved in restoration and electrification of retro cars. Italian tuner Garage Italia Customs joins the club today with this resplendent Fiat 500 Nuova-based convertible that runs on batteries.
The company calls its creation ‘Icon-e’ and says it enlisted the assistance of Newtron Group for the project. It does not specify just what engine specs the vehicle has, but the vanilla vehicle packed a two-cylinder engine rated at roughly 20 hp / 15 kW. There is no doubt the new powertrain is way stronger than that.
Interestingly, the engineer team never actually replaced the transmission or RWD system of the Fiat 500 Nuova. Instead, it simply reworked them to be compatible with the e-motor. The reported driving range is 120 kilometers (75 miles), and charging takes between 4 and 8 hours depending on the source.
Now on to the visual tweaks. Garage Italia Customs made the affordable urban car look like a Fiat 500 Jolly, a much more respected open-top vehicle that used to be popular in Italy in the 1960s and 70s. The designers took great care to recreate all of its trademark features, including the bumpers and doorsills made out of a stainless-steel pipe, the round headlights, and the white-beaded tires. The less obvious improvements include a new, sturdier safety cage and a better windshield housing.
Wrapping up the list of changes in this particular restomod is a complete cabin overhaul, which includes a digital instrument panel, a new gear selector and everything else you may need for a joyous ride.
The cost of the unique Fiat 500 Nuova restomod remained unannounced.
Photos: Garage Italia Customs