AUTOMOBILES
600HP CARBON FIBER
Ford Bronco by Zero Lab is Retro at its Finest
| BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE
W
ith electrification and technology increasingly dominating our automotive experiences, the lure of yesteryear cars being dipped amongst a modicum of modern-day convenience is finding favor. Resto mods have moved from being a niche to a full-fledged segment for car buyers craving a slice of nostalgia. Demand for these mods has increased over the years, allowing modifiers to experiment more. Zero Labs is one of the pioneers in this industry with its range of Bronco SUVs with an EV heart. The Ford Bronco is a classic. However, Zero Labs takes it to a new level with custom bodies and the same build quality of new luxury models. These fully electric Ford Broncos are an amalgamation of world trends – childhood heroes draped in an electric avatar. For this year’s version, CES, Zero Labs went one step further with an all-carbon Ford Bronco with the panache of a hypercar. Exotic materials on niche supercars or hypercars are the norm, but in a humble Ford Bronco, this application changes the appeal of this SUV considerably. The full-carbon look gives it an exotic touch while reducing its weight overall. Carbon fiber is tougher and lighter while improving performance too. The carbon fiber body is integrated with an electric platform with a 600 bhp dual motor
14 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | APRIL 2023
configuration. There is also a 100-kWh battery and 235-plus miles of all-electric range, which means it is useable like any new EV, albeit much cooler looking while doing so. Underneath the classic Bronco lines is an allwheel drive system with two independent motors that control the torque supply to the wheels. Like any luxury car, there is an adjustable air suspension. Interestingly, the interior is all-classic Bronco, with a little bit of modernity creeping in. It is just the right amount of convenience without disturbing the car’s charm. All-carbon models feature new upholstery materials with hand-sewn leather seams and a wood finish on the interior. There is plenty of technology on offer, with a suite of Telematics and remote vehicle communication options. Zero Labs puts a lot of craftsmanship into their mods and their process of elevating a Bronco to being a custom-made SUV rubs shoulders with super luxury cars in terms of sheer appeal. The retro design within a veneer of modern technology, along with its greener credentials, makes it more appealing than newer SUVs while also standing out from the crowd. Like their Bronco example, Resto mods retain the classic charm without being overly drawn to the past.
