The Volkswagen Group has debuted the first two electric vehicles from its refreshed Scout Motors brand, which will focus on electrified trucks and SUVs. At a dedicated launch event, Scout revealed two production-ready concept vehicles: the Scout Traveler SUV and the Scout Terra truck. Both vehicles will be produced at Scout’s new plant in South Carolina, itself expected to open in 2027, where it intends to create more than 4,000 American jobs.
The new models will share an all-new, proprietary, body-on-frame platform with a solid rear axle designed to deliver credible capability and enhance off-road performance. For the Terra truck, this new platform is projected to deliver more than 10,000 pounds (4535 kg) of towing, more than 7,000 pounds (3175 kg) on the Traveler SUV, and nearly 2,000 pounds (907 kg) of payload on both models.
Scout’s platform will more broadly allow it to build vehicles with up to 35-inch tires, over a foot of ground clearance, nearly three feet of water fording capability, a front sway bar disconnect, front and rear mechanical lockers, competitive approach and departure angles, and robust suspension options. In providing a ‘hands-on’ user experience, Scout’s vehicles will offer a tactile experience that incorporates mechanical door handles, grab bars, switches and dials, and further physical controls.
The Scout Traveler and Scout Terra will each be configurable with battery-electric, or gasoline fueled range-extended energy systems, an offering through which the brand is aiming to provide flexibility to its customers. Scout expects the all-electric variants to offer up to 350 miles of range, and the range-extended variants more than 500 miles (enabled through a built-in, gas-powered generator). Scout confirmed that both of its energy systems can be flexibility integrated into its platform, and into the production process, ensuring it can respond to evolving market demand.
Alongside this platform, the brand’s vehicles will include a four-wheel-drive system made up by an electric drive unit on each axle. This will enable Scout’s fully-electric vehicles to accelerate from 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) with 1000 lb.-ft. (1355 Nm) of torque. For charging, the EVs will utilize the North American Charging Standard (NACS), 800-volt architecture, offer up to 350 kW charging capability, and be capable of bi-directional charging.
Many of the technologies featured in vehicles from the refreshed Scout brand will benefit from its zonal software architecture, including OTA updates and remote diagnostics. The benefits of this architecture extend to the in-vehicle experience, manifesting in touchscreen interfaces, high-resolution camera views, and personalization capabilities. Further along, the Traveler and Terra will also include a front trunk capable of fitting golf clubs, a gym bag and a small cooler, while also offering 120V and USB-C power outlets to power electronics devices.
The Terra will uniquely feature a 5.5-foot pickup bed that offers two 120V power outlets, and a more powerful 240V power outlet for heavy-duty tools at a jobsite, or to provide backup power to home appliances in the event of an outage. The Traveler will likewise be equipped with a split tailgate that offers easy access to cargo and protection from the elements when opened, protecting cargo and passengers from adverse weather conditions. Inside, the Traveler maximizes storage with a multifunctional console (offered as an optional feature on the Terra), while the Terra truck offers an available front row bench seat (itself offered as an available feature for the Traveler).
In addition to this standard offering, Scout will also offer an array of optional features designed to allow owners to personalize their vehicles for various use cases. Among the accessories included in this portfolio are auxiliary lighting, assist steps, power off-boarding solutions, off-road bumpers with recovery points, and a heavy-duty winch, with more to be revealed closer to launch. These powered accessories will be broadly integrated into the Scout user experience, where they will be assigned to switches and in some cases controlled by the customer’s mobile app. The interior user experience of the Traveler and Terra follows a similar design philosophy, with the center display complemented by a bank of toggle switches and knobs for the climate controls.
This philosophy similarly informs Scout Community UX, a digital user interface (UI) designed to offer flexibility, configurability, and ease-of-use to drivers and passengers. Positioned as a versatile multitool and helpful companion, the UI pairs physical hardware and knobs with a digital interface that Scout says does not hide features within menus or screens, but ensures intuitive, low-effort, interaction and a cohesive user experience.
Complementing their all-electric variants, the Traveler and Terra will also be available to purchase with an optional extended range electric vehicle (EREV) energy system called Harvester. Through this proprietary system, Scout is aiming to enhance freedom on the road while continuing to deliver enhanced off-roading capabilities. Harvester adds a small internal combustion engine to the vehicle’s energy system that recharges its high voltage battery. This setup, altogether, enables a estimated maximum range of more than 500 miles (804 km) while maintaining the electric drive system’s instant response and off-road performance. When the system’s range runs low, it can be refueled at a gas station or recharged with a compatible EV charger.
As it rolls out its EVs, Scout will develop its own customer experience powered by an exclusive Scout Motors retail network. Here, the brand will offer direct sales and service with full price transparency and a convenient vehicle purchase process, working to develop a simple, seamless, customer experience across all touchpoints. Here, Scout will build dedicated retail spaces to engage with customers in person, with Scout Workshops and other retail spaces providing test drives and hands-on service as needed.
While Scout has not yet provided a release window or price breakdown for the Traveler or Terra, the brand did confirm that entry models would be offered from $50,000 (£38,480) with available incentives, and less than $60,000 (£46,170) at retail. Reservations for both have already opened to customers where, after placing a refundable $100 (£77) reservation fee, they can select their preferred Scout model and energy system.
