In the early 1960s, International Harvester — a company known for building agricultural and construction equipment — came to market with a small but rugged pickup truck and wagon (the term SUV hadn’t been invented yet) called Scout. Now the Scout name is back, worn again by an off-road-ready pickup and SUV, but these new models are fully electric and even more capable than the original.
Introducing the 2027 Scout Terra and Traveler.
A Look Back
When the Scout first came out, it was designed to provide the capability of the Jeep CJ but with improved comfort. More than 500,000 Scouts were built over 20 years, but in 1980, production ended due to financial difficulties, and the final Scout drove off the assembly line.
As it turns out, that wouldn’t be the last Scout ever built.
Scout’s Comeback
Forty years later, the Volkswagen Group obtained the rights to the Scout name and, in 2022, announced plans to build a new electric off-roader called Scout. While the new Scout company was started and backed by the German brand, it is a fully independent U.S. car company with design and engineering headquartered in Novi, Michigan.
The first two Scout models, the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck, recently debuted in concept form (we’re told the concepts are 95% production spec), and these new EVs carry a design and capability that should win over die-hard Scout fans as well as new shoppers.
Rugged Design
While the Scout Traveler and Terra have a thoroughly modern look, both models carry many styling cues from their predecessors. Like the original, a broad, flat front grille incorporates the headlights in one piece. However, the new Scout features advanced LED headlights that mimic the square lights on the 1980 Scout II, and since it is electric, the grille is solid. The hood opens to reveal a sizable frunk for additional storage — a trick never imagined when the first Scouts were built. Like the original, the Traveler also features a split rear hatch with a convenient tailgate.
With a wide stance, large fenders, short overhangs, integrated skid plates, and available 35-inch wheels, the Scouts look ready to tackle challenging off-road terrain. Unlike most electric SUVs and trucks, the Scout features a body-on-frame chassis with a solid rear axle, front sway bar disconnect, front and rear mechanical lockers, and 12 inches of ground clearance.
Electric Power — With a Gas Bonus
A dual-motor electric drivetrain powers the new Scout. While the automaker hasn’t released horsepower figures, the company says the Scout should boast nearly 1,000 pound-feet of torque. That should be enough oomph to reach 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds or to climb a 45-degree incline. The Traveler SUV will tow up to 7,000 pounds, while the Terra full-size pickup will haul 10,000 pounds.
The Scout will feature the new North American Charging Standard (NACS) and accept up to 350 kW charging. The battery size hasn’t yet been announced, but both Scout models are expected to have a driving range of 350 miles. Scout will also offer the Harvester range extender, a gas engine that acts as a generator to charge the batteries, increasing the total driving range to more than 500 miles.
Coming in 2027
The Scout Traveler and Terra will be built in the company’s new production facility outside of Columbia, South Carolina, starting in 2027. Both models are expected to start around $60,000 before applicable EV incentives. Interested customers can place an order now with a $100 deposit. Production is still a ways off, but from what we’ve seen, it should be worth the wait.
The post The Scout is Back — and It’s Electric appeared first on TrueCar Blog.