Scout off-road ute and SUV revealed as hybrid, electric revival of classic US brand
10/24/2024 08:17 PM
Volkswagen has revived the Scout off-road brand dormant since 1980 with an electric or range-extender hybrid ute and SUV, but they aren’t planned to find their way to Australia.
The Scout off-road SUV and ute have returned after a 44-year absence with electric or range-extender hybrid power – under Volkswagen ownership – but neither will be made in right-hand drive for Australia.
The brand name originates from the Scout off-roader produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980, the rights to which Volkswagen acquired when it purchased US truck company Navistar in 2020.
Scout is returning as a US-based brand focussed on North America, which today unveiled two models: the Terra pick-up and Traveler SUV (using the American spelling), due in production in 2027.
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The vehicles were originally planned to be electric-only, but Scout has announced surprise ‘range-extender’ hybrid versions – named Harvester – which use a small petrol engine to charge the batteries for an extra 240km of driving range.
Despite Australia’s appetite for off-road SUVs and utes, the Scout vehicles are set to be left-hand-drive only, manufactured at a new factory in the US.
However, the door has been left open by company executives – including the CEO of the Volkswagen Group – for export plans, and VW Australia has previously expressed interest in the models.
Underpinning the Scout vehicles is a new body-on-frame platform designed for the pair, with a solid rear axle, mechanical front and rear locking differentials, and a front sway bar disconnect.
Scout claims towing capacities of up to 4535kg (10,000lb) for the ute and 3175kg (7000lb) for the SUV, with payloads of “nearly” 907kg (2000lb) for both models, more than 305mm (one foot) of ground clearance, and a water wading depth of close to 914mm (3ft).
There will be a choice of fully-electric power, or a range-extender version which drives its wheels with electric motors, but adds a small petrol engine as a generator to charge the battery pack and extend the driving range.
Dual-motor all-wheel drive is standard across the range, with an 800-volt electrical architecture, 350kW DC fast charging, and support for bi-directional charging, where the battery can be used to power external devices.
Electric variants are claimed to offer up to 563km (350 miles) of driving range, develop “nearly” 1356Nm, climb 100 per cent grades (45-degree angles) and accelerate from 0-60mph (97km/h) in 3.5 seconds.
The range-extender variants are badged Harvester – taking the name from the original maker of the Scout – and promise “more than” 805km (500 miles) of driving range.
Details of the petrol generator are yet to be published, but Scout has said range-extender variants will have a smaller battery than the electric models.
The Scout models wear retro styling inspired by the original International Harvester-built vehicle, with distinctive front and rear ‘masks’ housing LED lights, wheels pushed towards the corners of the body, and 35-inch all-terrain tyres.
The Terra ute’s tray measures about 1680mm long (5.5 feet) – similar to a new Ford F-150 short-wheelbase – with two 120-volt and one 240-volt sockets for powering tools or camping equipment.
Both models have a front storage area claimed to be large enough for golf clubs, a gym bag, and a ‘small’ cooler, and home to a 120-volt power point and USB-C ports.
A full-size 35-inch spare tyre is mounted to the Traveler’s split tailgate, while the Terra has a standard 33-inch under-body spare, with the option of a carrier to fit a 35-inch tyre in the tray.
Inside, there are two large screens for instruments and infotainment, embedded in a dashboard said to draw inspiration from the front end of earlier Scout vehicles.
Unlike cars from most other Volkswagen Group brands, the Scout retains physical shortcuts for the temperature and other climate controls, as well as a conventional volume dial – nor are there any touch-sensitive sliders under the infotainment screen.
Scout promises it “intentionally does not bury features in menus or screens but rather provides a combination of tactile buttons and knobs with a right-sized, highly responsive digital interface.”
Buyers can choose between a front centre console with a refrigerated cool box and dual wireless phone chargers, or a bench seat with a middle passenger position.
Available features include heated and ventilated seats, multi-zone climate control, surround-view cameras, a panoramic sunroof, and details such as a compass ahead of the centre rear-view mirror.
Scout vehicles will be sold in the US through its own showroom network – rather than via existing Volkswagen locations – with online sales that may be at fixed prices, as the company says “customers will know what they are paying and can expect full price transparency.”
Similar to Tesla, the company will offer remote servicing that sees technicians come to an owner’s home or workplace – with over-the-air software updates also available.
Pre-orders for the Scout Terra and Traveler have opened in the US – with a $US100 refundable reservation – with prices to start from less than $US60,000 ($AU90,000) for the cheapest models.
However, production is not due to commence until 2027 at a new factory in South Carolina.
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