Scout Motors has introduced two production-ready concepts that provide a glimpse of the forthcoming Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. Both models will provide two all-wheel-drive powertrains: one being an electric vehicle (EV) boasting a stated range of 350 miles, and the other a series plug-in hybrid that includes a gasoline engine, offering a range exceeding 500 miles. Production of the Scout is set to commence in 2027 at a new facility located in South Carolina, with the aim of achieving a starting price of under $60,000. When it was first announced more than two years ago, we were very excited to see Volkswagen’s Scout name come back on a new electric vehicle-based company. The reborn company has shown two models that are meant to be made: the 2028 Scout Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup truck. These give us a good idea of what to expect, even though the new Scouts won’t be out for a few years. Stylish Look Scout said that its “priority was to honor the spirit of the original Scout.” The original Scout was made by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980 and was one of the first SUVs that received a lot of attention. Some parts of the design are meant to resemble the original SUV, like the black “mask” on the front and back fascias, which resembles the original SUV’s rectangular grille and trunk indent. Outside lighting is also built into these panels. Two rectangular parts work as headlights, and a thin LED strip goes around the outside of the blacked-out area. The LED daytime running light bursts through the headlights and goes behind the metal to show up on the other side of the car. The side markers on the Scout II look a lot like the headlights. To show respect for the original Scout, the side windows of the Terra and Traveler both sweep up along the bottom edge right before the backmost structure, just like the rear window of the original Scout. The Terra and Traveler’s front and rear bumpers, which are different from the front and rear fascias, make them look like they can go off-road. Instead of the power-retractable door handles that many electric cars have, the Scouts use traditional mechanical ones. Even though they don’t have any unique design features, the current versions look clean and sharp, with short front overhangs and a determined stance. Cuts Off-Road The two will-be Scouts look like they are more than just tough. The Terra and Traveler will be built on an “all-new and proprietary” body-on-frame base. Their off-road performance-focused chassis and suspension will match the way they look. The most odd thing about these EVs is that they will need a solid back axle. Several companies have shown off this kind of system, which has an electric motor built into a solid axle. However, they seemed more geared toward the business market until lately. It will be interesting to see how much the change affects the quality of the ride. This strong frame is held up by a front anti-roll bar disconnect and mechanical locking differentials in the front and back. Scout hasn’t given out exact numbers yet, but the approach and departure angles are said to be “competitive.” Scout says that the pickup can handle more than 10,000 pounds, and the SUV can pull more than 7,000 pounds. Both versions are able to carry about 2,000 pounds. Both are also made to fit 35-inch tires, which give you more than a foot of ground clearance and almost three feet of water-forking space. The Terra truck will have a 35-inch roller carrier in the bed or a 33-inch tire carrier under the body. The Traveler SUV will have a rear spare tire carrier that can hold a 35-inch tire. Beyond Simple Electric Motors Scout says that both cars will be offered as series plug-in hybrids or as fully electric cars with a gas engine that can also be used as a generator to increase range. Unlike the future Ram 1500 Ramcharger, the Harvester range-extender device will not directly power the wheels. Instead, it will use a small internal combustion engine of unknown displacement to charge the battery. Scout says that the range-extended hybrids will be able to go more than 500 miles on a single charge, while pure EVs will only be able to go 350 miles. Scout didn’t say much else about the technology, but they did say that the gas engine would be in the back of the chassis. Scout did say that some parts that won’t be seen by customers, like window regulators, will come from the Volkswagen Group, but they wouldn’t say for sure if the gas engine would come from the parent company, Volkswagen. Electric motors will be put on the front and back wheels of both the Terra and the Traveler to give them all-wheel drive. Scout is said to have 1000 pound-feet of torque and can go from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds, but its horsepower has yet to be made public. The company also wants the EVs to be able to go up a 45-degree hill or a 100% grade. 350 kW of charging power can come from an 800-volt source. Scout didn’t say how big the batteries would be, but she did say that the cells for the electric vehicle and the plug-in hybrid would be different. The Traveler and Terra will also have charging ports that work with the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Scout also lets owners charge their cars in both directions, so they can either send power back to the grid or use their cars to power their homes. Elegant Cabins Scout has only shown one picture of the house so far, but it looks like it is both luxurious and useful, ready to compete with Rivian and others. On the dashboard, there is a row of horizontal panels that surround the main tablet and digital gauge pack. Scout said there would be a quick entertainment system, high-resolution camera pictures, and over-the-air updates, but she didn’t say what size screens would be. The screens are thankfully matched by a set of toggle buttons for the climate settings and two shiny metal dials on either side. Scout also revealed that the Traveler and Terra will have a volume knob that you can touch. Most of the inside is covered in light-colored cloth and brown leather that looks expensive. Scout says that this model’s trunk can hold a small cooler, a gym bag, and golf tools. It has a 5.5-foot truck bed with three outlets: two 120-volt outlets, one 240-volt outlet, and USB-C and 120-volt outlets in the trunk. The back of the Traveler can be split in half, and it will come with either a glass roof with an electric shade or a Cabana Top, which looks like a panel that folds back to show a large opening. Both the Terra and the Traveler will have front bench seats that can fit up to six people. Scout will also offer a variety of add-ons, such as heavy-duty winches, off-road bumpers with recovery points, and extra lights. Only a Few Years Until Arrival Scout cars will not be sold again through regular shops. Instead, they will be sold directly to customers. The company says it will only take a few minutes to buy a Scout car, and Scout will take care of everything, including sales, delivery, and upkeep. The business also says there will be “full price transparency.” The company is going to open special stores called Scout Workshops where people can look at the cars, test drive them, and get them repaired. The company says that more than 4,000 jobs will be created at the new plant near Columbia, South Carolina, where the two Scout models will be made. The models are made in Michigan, where they are created. The Traveler and Terra will come out in 2028, with production starting in 2027. These early prototypes from the company show that the design shown here will make up 85% of the end product’s look. Scout thinks that EVs like the Rivian R1T and R1S compete with the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota Land Cruiser. Scout says that prices for both types will start at less than $60,000, and reservations are now being taken for both.
