As promised a week ago, Scout Motors lives again as an electric 4×4 off-road brand, backed by Volkswagen. It has just revealed its first products, the Traveler and Terra. The former is an electric Land Rover Defender competitor while the latter is a rival for Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck.
Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Scout Motors said “Two years in the making, the day has finally come to share the next generation of Scout vehicles with the world.
“The original core idea — rugged, versatile vehicles capable of off-road adventure and family duty — is more relevant than ever. “We couldn’t be prouder to revitalise this iconic American brand, create thousands of American jobs, and put American ingenuity back to work.”
The newcomers were unveiled in near-production form in the US near where they will be produced in 2027.
Both will use a body-on-frame platform that is in no way related to Volkswagen’s MEB or PPE architecture. Featuring 800v electricals, the batteries and electronics will be supplied by Canadian firm Magna.
The original plan was for the Scouts to be revived in pure electric form only. However, they will now also be offered with optional petrol-powered range extenders. This is because of the recent downturn in electric car sales. It also covers buyer concerns about range and the ability to recharge while on the road.
As range extenders both the Terra and Traveler will be up for 800km trips between fill-ups, compared with 560km for the pure EVs. Battery size is unclear as yet, but with 800v electricals the platform can support fast charging at up to 350kW.
Both promise scintillating performance, with dual motor AWD powertrains and a torque total of 1357Nm. While a final power figure is not yet to hand, Scout Motors suggests they can complete a 0-100km/h run in 3.5sec.
To behold, the pair remind of the original with boxy styling. They feature an elongated bonnet and clear shoulder lines. Short overhangs, reinforced bumpers, skid plates and body-on-frame construction mean the pair are eminently practical.
Scout designer, Chris Benjamin, said the pair “should always enable the customer to do the things they want to do and make their experience easier, better, faster”.
Inside, the two resemble the original Scouts but with modern technology. The central infotainment touchscreen is placed above an array of physical toggles and switches that look after climate control, and the like. Both cars offer over-the-air updates and remote diagnostics.
Prices for both are expected to start around $US60,000. Both the Traveler and Terra will be manufactured in South Carolina. VW plans to eventually have the factory producing 200,000 units per year.
There are no plans for right-hand drive production at present.
