Whether or not the brand new off-road-ready Scout Terra and Traveler can discover a area of interest is way from sure, particularly contemplating they’re each all-electric. Scout does have time to construct expectations, nonetheless, with the 2 new EVs not anticipated to achieve U.S. showrooms for one more 2 years.
As soon as a market mainstay, it’s been greater than 4 many years since Scout was accessible within the U.S. market. However, in a stunning transfer, Volkswagen bought the rights to the model again in 2022 and introduced it could convey it again to life — at a price of at the least $1 billion.
The German automaker initially provided only some hints as to what it had in thoughts, the important thing information being its determination to revive Scout as an all-electric model.
Two years later, Scout has pulled the wraps off idea variations of what’s going to be its first 2 fashions, the Terra pickup and the Traveler SUV. Whereas officers gained’t reveal all of the technical particulars till simply earlier than they arrive in U.S. showrooms in 2027, they did supply some insights into what they’ve deliberate throughout a Thursday night time media briefing.
The Backstory
Scout was initially launched by Worldwide Harvester in November 1960 and shortly turned that model’s bestselling product line. However it was forward of its time, with SUVs then focusing on a comparatively slim area of interest of patrons.
The nameplate was pulled from the market in 1980 — mockingly, simply earlier than the true surge in demand for SUVs started. Worldwide Harvester was struggling, and its remnants reemerged in 1986 because the newly shaped Navistar. That firm shifted focus to heavy-duty vans and buses, letting the Scout badge languish till it was acquired by Volkswagen AG in 2022.
Scout Motors Reborn
In some methods, VW determined to select up with Worldwide Harvester when it dropped the ball. A lot as Ford did with the revival of the Bronco badge, the reborn Scout’s merchandise are designed with severe off-roaders in thoughts.
Each the Terra pickup and Traveler SUV are going with body-on-frame platforms. They’ll have offered rear axles and each entrance and rear mechanically locking differentials.
The pickup will likely be able to towing as much as 10,000 kilos with a 2,000-pound payload capability. The SUV will likely be rated at 7,000 kilos towing.
‘Prepared for Work & Play’
“The unique core thought — rugged, versatile automobiles able to off-road journey and household obligation — is extra related than ever,” stated Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh.
Terra will function a 5.5-foot mattress and include twin 120V shops, in addition to a 240V plug.
Traveler will function a break up tailgate which, Scout suggests, will make it straightforward to entry cargo whereas shielding cargo and passengers throughout inclement climate.
Scout plans to supply a spread of tire choices as much as 35 inches. The 2 fashions will function “over” 1 foot of floor clearance and “almost” 3 toes of water fording capabilities. There’ll be a entrance sway bar disconnect, in addition to two lockers.
Different particulars are TBA, although the automaker advised each merchandise will boast “aggressive method and departure angles, and strong suspension choices.”
Electrifying
In contrast to Ford’s revived Bronco model, Scout will go all-electric — with an asterisk.
When the plan to revive the model was first introduced 2 years in the past it was indicated all Scout fashions can be EVs. And, in a way they are going to be. The motivating pressure for Terra’s and Traveler’s wheels will come solely from electrical motors.
However, reflecting potential issues about vary, Scout now plans so as to add what are alternately often known as “range-extended power methods,” or “serial hybrids.” Translation: they are going to be provided with onboard mills that may hold the batteries charged up for so long as there’s fuel within the tank.
So, the place pure EV fashions are anticipated to yield as much as 350 miles per cost, the extended-range variations will stretch that to 500 miles — after which have the ability to hold going just by filling again up at a fuel pump.
Loads of Energy
As Jeep demonstrated with its 4xe plug-in hybrids, there are some actual benefits to an all-electric drivetrain. With instant-on torque a automobile can, if correctly engineered, simply creep over logs and boulders, amongst different issues.
We’ll have to attend for ultimate specs on the Scout drivetrains. However, a number of insiders hinted to me that we will count on patrons to get a selection of packages. That may embrace the range-extended drivetrains, in addition to all-electric choices with wherever from one to probably three or extra separate electrical motors. That may be in keeping with what we’re seeing at Rivian, GMC — with its Hummer line — and Tesla.
In a information launch, Scout stated its totally electrical automobiles “are focused to climb 100% grades and speed up 0-60 mph in as fast as 3.5 seconds made potential by an estimated almost 1,000 lb-ft. of torque.”
Plugging In
Scout will debut utilizing the Tesla-style North American Charging Commonplace, or NACS, which means will probably be ready to make use of the competitor’s Supercharger community.
Notably, since Terra and Traveler will function 800V electrical architectures and have the power to attract as a lot as 350 kW of energy, they need to have the ability to cost a lot sooner than present Volkswagen EVs.
Add bidirectional charging capabilities. That may allow the pair of automobiles to supply power at a camp or worksite whereas additionally connecting to a house to maintain the lights — and warmth and fridge — on within the occasion of an influence scarcity or outage.
Scout Terra & Traveler: Pricing & Availability
The brand new model expects to supply base fashions at “underneath $60,000.” They need to qualify for some U.S. tax credit because the automobiles will likely be assembled at a brand new manufacturing unit Scout is erecting in South Carolina.
The primary Scout Terra and Traveler fashions gained’t attain showrooms till someday in 2027. However the automaker is taking $100 totally refundable reservations now.
