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Future models - ScoutScout shows new direction with ute and SUVRebooted US off-road specialist Scout previews Rivian-rivalling Traveler and Terra25 Oct 2024 VOLKSWAGEN owned, US-based Scout Motors has previewed the battery electric Traveler large SUV and Terra ute that are scheduled to go into full production in 2027, with range extended (electric plus small petrol generator) versions also in the works.
The two Rivian-rivalling, off-road capable models are potential candidates for sale Down Under but Volkswagen Australia has not committed to their prospects here as Scout models may cannibalise sales of existing and future Volkswagen offerings.
Although US pricing is not finalised, Scout says it is targeting an entry price for the Traveler SUV “as low as” $US50,000 ($A75,629) with available incentives, translating to retail prices starting under $US60,000 ($A90,785).
Similarly, Scout is aiming for the Terra ute to hit a starting price of $51,500 ($A77,924) with available incentives and retail prices starting around the $US60K mark.
Controversially, the new vehicles will be sold direct to buyers in the US, where franchise laws prohibit the practice in many states and direct-sales car brands such as Tesla have developed ways of legally operating showrooms and other customer touchpoints.
Designed and engineered in Michigan, Scout vehicles will be manufactured in South Carolina.
Scout Motors president and CEO Scott Keogh 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.”
Described as production-intent concepts, the Traveler and Terra models unveiled are said to “honour the spirit of the original Scout vehicles and usher in a new Scout era”.
The Scout brand was formerly part of International Harvester and acquired by VW Group in 2020 when its Traton truck division purchased heavy truck and engine maker Navistar – which was established in 1985 after International Harvester folded.
Undeniably bold to look at, the newcomers will face competition from all points of the compass as fully electric and hybrid SUVs are already thick on the ground followed inexorably by BEV and hybrid pick-ups.
The dual motor 4x4 Scouts are built on a new but traditional body-on-frame chassis with a solid rear axle, front and rear mechanical locking differentials and sway bar disconnect.
Scout claims both models have more than 305mm of ground clearance and can wade to a depth exceeding 900mm, all of which will no doubt add to their off-road capability.
Payload is under a tonne while projected braked towing capacity of the Traveler is around 3200kg while the ute has a claimed capacity of a whopping 4500kg, tempered by how much energy each variant will use when towing at full capacity and the consequences on battery range.
The range extender models will likely be chosen for customers interested in regular towing.
Scout says the BEV variants have a combined range of up to 563km with the range-extended variants offering up to 805km.
The vehicles will use 800V architecture with up to 350kW of DC charging capability and V2L function.
With a handy 1676mm-long tub the Terra features two 120V power outlets and one 240V power outlet for worksite or camping applications, even partly running the house in a blackout.
Anticipated 0-100km/h times are as quick as 3.5 seconds made possible by a robust 1355Nm through the four-wheel-drive system.
The vehicles will run Scout vehicle software featuring a “modern zonal architecture” enabling over-the-air updates, remote diagnostic, and enhanced customer lifetime value.
It is likely this architecture is an outcome of VW Group’s joint-venture with Rivian, which Scout appears to have directly in its crosshairs.
The in-vehicle experience should benefit from Scout's newly developed software architecture through snappy touchscreen interfaces, high-resolution camera views, and the ability to personalise experiences.
But it is interesting to note that Scout brings these vehicles to market with a selection of what may be termed “old school” controls for a tactile experience, which means mechanical door handles, grab bars, switches and dials all providing a real hands-on user experience.
The Traveler uses a split tailgate that offers easy access to cargo and protection from the elements when opened, shielding both passengers and cargo from the weather.
For a level of customisation, Scout Motors will offer a full portfolio of accessories to customers including auxiliary lighting, assist steps, power off-boarding solutions, off-road bumpers with recovery points, a heavy-duty winch, and more.
Powered accessories are projected to be integrated into the Scout user experience, assigned to switches, and in some cases controlled by the customer’s mobile app, so installation, set-up, and control are easy.
Multiple available roof types will offer an open-air experience and include a Cabana Top, one of the largest roof openings of any SUV.
The Scout Traveler offers a rear spare tyre carrier integrated into the body structure carrying up to a full 35-inch spare with minimal impact to aerodynamics while the Terra offers an underbody spare tyre carrier for sizes up to 33-inches and an optional in-bed tire carrier for 35-inch all-terrain tyres.
The interiors of the Scout Traveler and Scout Terra are similar with a focus on simple and bold, tactile, and fit for purpose.  Read more6th of September 2023  More iconic VW models set to go electricVolkswagen says it will build a range of reborn icons for the EV eraAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chery Brabham Chrysler Chevrolet Cupra Citroen DS Dodge Fiat Ferrari Foton Ford Great Wall FPV Haval GWM Honda Holden Hummer HSV Infiniti Hyundai Jaguar Isuzu Kia Jeep Land Rover Lamborghini Lexus LDV Mahindra Lotus Mazda Maserati Mercedes-AMG McLaren MG Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Mini Opel Nissan Peugeot Pagani Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo VolkswagenMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Click to shareScout modelsAll future modelsAlfa RomeoAbarthAlpineAlpinaAudiAston MartinBMWBentleyCheryBrabhamChryslerChevroletCupraCitroenDSDodgeFiatFerrariFotonFordGreat WallFPVHavalGWMHondaHoldenHummerHSVInfinitiHyundaiJaguarIsuzuKiaJeepLand RoverLamborghiniLexusLDVMahindraLotusMazdaMaseratiMercedes-AMGMcLarenMGMercedes-BenzMitsubishiMiniOpelNissanPeugeotPaganiProtonPorscheRenaultRamRoverRolls-RoyceSkodaSaabSsangYongSmartSuzukiSubaruToyotaTeslaVolvoVolkswagenMotor industry newsGoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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