Yahoo Autos Scout Traveler and Terra Will Be Retro Off-Roaders with Range Options
Scout has unveiled a pair of production-intent concepts that preview the upcoming Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck.
Both will offer two all-wheel-drive powertrains: an EV with a claimed 350-mile range and a series plug-in hybrid with a gas engine and over 500 miles of range.
Production will start in 2027 at a new factory in South Carolina, with a targeted base price below $60,000.
We've been eagerly anticipating the return of the Scout nameplate ever since Volkswagen announced it would revive the moniker for a new EV-based company over two years ago. While it will be another few years before the new Scouts actually hit the road, we finally have some concrete details of what to expect, as the resurrected brand has revealed two production-intent concepts, the 2028 Scout Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup truck.
Sharp Design
Scout says its "priority was to honor the spirit of the original Scout," which was among the first mainstream SUVs and was sold by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980. The design isn't overtly referential but still ties back to the original through the black "mask" on the front and rear fascias, emulating the classic SUV's rectangular grille and indent in the tailgate.
These panels also incorporate the exterior lighting, with a thin LED strip that runs around the border of the blacked-out section and a pair of rectangular units forming the headlights. The LED daytime running light splits the headlights and passes behind the bodywork to reappear on the vehicle's side. The same look is echoed on the taillights and recalls the Scout II's side markers. The Terra and Traveler also pay homage to the original Scout with the shape of their side windows, which sweep upward along the bottom edge just before the rearmost pillar similar to the classic Scout's rear side window.
The Terra and Traveler's off-road mission is highlighted by front and rear bumpers which are separate from the front and rear fascias. Unlike the power-retractable units on many EVs, the Scouts use traditional mechanical door handles. While the modern renditions don't feature the most distinctive styling, they come across as clean and handsome, with short front overhangs and a purposeful stance.
Off-Road Chops
The two upcoming Scouts don't just look rugged. Their styling will be backed up by a chassis and suspension designed for off-road performance, with the Traveler and Terra riding on an "all-new and proprietary" body-on-frame platform. The oddest bit is that both vehicles will have a solid rear axle, a setup no other current EV employs. Various suppliers have shown setups like this, with an electric motor incorporated into a solid axle, but until now, they seemed more angled toward the commercial segment. We'll be interested to see how much of a penalty this is to ride quality. This sturdy setup is bolstered by a front anti-roll-bar disconnect as well as front and rear mechanical locking differentials. Although Scout hasn't provided official numbers, the approach and departure angles are described as "competitive."
Scout says the pickup will be able to tow over 10,000 pounds, while the SUV will be rated to tow over 7000 pounds. Both models are claimed to have a nearly 2000-pound payload rating. Both are also designed to accommodate 35-inch tires, providing over one foot of ground clearance and nearly three feet of water-fording capability. The Traveler SUV will be offered with a rear spare-tire carrier that can hold a 35-inch tire, while the Terra pickup will come with either an underbody spare-tire carrier for a 33-inch tire or an in-bed carrier for a 35-inch roller.
More Than Just Electric Motors
Intriguingly, Scout says both models will be offered as a purely electric vehicle or a series plug-in hybrid, with a gas-powered engine serving as a range-extending generator. The range-extender system, called Harvester, will utilize a small internal-combustion engine of unspecified displacement that will recharge the battery but not directly power the wheels, similar to the forthcoming Ram 1500 Ramcharger. Scout claims that the pure-EV versions will be able to travel up to 350 miles per charge, while the range-extender hybrids will have a range of over 500 miles.
The gas generator will live in the rear of the chassis, but Scout didn't provide any other details on the system. Scout also wouldn't confirm whether the gas engine would be sourced from parent company Volkswagen but did admit that some non-customer-facing parts, such as window regulators, will be borrowed from the Volkswagen Group portfolio.
Both the Traveler and Terra will come with all-wheel drive via an electric motor on the front and rear axles. While no horsepower figures were announced, Scout is touting an estimated 1000 pound-feet of torque and acceleration from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds. The brand also says it's aiming for the EVs to be capable of conquering a 100 percent grade, which equates to a slope with a 45-degree angle. An 800-volt electrical architecture will allow for charging speeds of up to 350 kW. No battery sizes were provided, but Scout did say that the battery will be different in the EV versus the plug-in hybrid. The Traveler and Terra will also arrive with North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge ports. Scout is promising bi-directional charging too, allowing owners to use their vehicles to power their homes or send energy back into the grid.
A Classy Cabin
Scout only published a single photo of the cabin, but the design looks luxurious and practical, ready to compete with the likes of Rivian. The dashboard has a series of horizontal panels that frame the digital gauge cluster and central touchscreen. Scout didn't reveal the size of the displays but promised a responsive infotainment system, high-resolution camera views, and over-the-air updates. Luckily, the screens are supplemented by a row of toggle switches for the climate controls bookended by two dials with a shiny metal finish. Scout also confirmed that the Traveler and Terra will have a physical volume knob. Rich-looking brown leather and a light-colored fabric coat most of the interior surfaces.
The Terra and Traveler both have a frunk, which Scout claims can fit golf clubs, a gym bag, and a small cooler. The frunk also features 120-volt and USB-C outlets, while the Terra's 5.5-foot pickup bed will house two 120-volt outlets and one 240-volt outlet. The Traveler has a split tailgate and will be offered with a glass roof with a powered shade or a Cabana Top—an option that appears to be a panel that folds back to create a large opening. A front bench seat will be available on both the Terra and Traveler, increasing seating capacity to six passengers. Scout will also offer an array of accessories, such as auxiliary lighting, off-road bumpers with recovery points, and a heavy-duty winch.
Just A Few Years Away
Scout vehicles will be sold directly to the customer, without a traditional dealership serving as a middleman. The brand says purchasing a Scout vehicle will take mere minutes, with everything from sales to delivery and service to be handled by Scout, with the company claiming there will be "full price transparency." The automaker will build dedicated retail spaces, called Scout Workshops, to allow customers to check out the cars in person, go for a test drive, and get their vehicles serviced.
Both Scout models are designed and engineered in Michigan and will be assembled at a new factory near Columbia, South Carolina, with the company saying it will create over 4000 jobs. Production is set to begin in 2027, and we expect the Traveler and Terra to arrive for the 2028 model year. The company currently has early running development prototypes, and says that the design seen here is 85 percent of the look we will see in production.
Scout cites the Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler as competitors, as well as EVs like the Rivian R1T and R1S. Prices for the Scout vehicles will start under $60,000, Scout says, and reservations are now open for both models.
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