Remember the International Scout? Neither do we, but this precursor to the SUV does have a bit of a following in the US, released a full five years earlier than the Ford Bronco in 1961. Now, 44 years after the last one was made, the Scout brand has been resurrected by Volkswagen as an electric SUV and pick-up truck brand, very much in the vein of Rivian.
The first two models are the Scout Traveler SUV and Terra pick-up, looking all the world like the Rivian R1T and R1S with some retro styling. There’s nothing retro about the size of these things, however – they are huge, with the Traveler measuring 5,280 mm long and the Terra a whopping 5,822 mm long. To put the latter into perspective, the Terra is nearly 140 mm longer than the already massive Tesla Cybertruck and over 500 mm longer than a Toyota Hilux.
Let’s delve into some of the specs. Not many details have been divulged so far, only that the trucks will be fitted with dual electric motors that provide all-wheel drive and a combined torque of nearly 1,000 lb ft (1,356 Nm) – dragging the behemoths from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in as little as 3.5 seconds estimated.
Scout is promising a range of up to 350 miles (560 km) for the electric versions, as well as support for up to 350 kW of DC fast charging and bi-directional charging thanks to an 800-volt architecture. Unlike the Rivians, the Traveler and Terra will also be offered with a range extender – a small petrol engine that charges the battery. So equipped, the Traveler and Terra will boast a range of over 500 miles (800 km).
Further setting itself apart from Rivian, Scout is doubling down on its hardy off-road ready image by building the Traveler and Terra on a ladder frame chassis and equipping them with a solid rear axle. Towing capacity is estimated at over 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) for the Terra and 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg) for the Traveler; both are projected to offer nearly 2,000 pounds (907 kg) in payload capacity.
The body-on-frame platform is also built to accommodate up to 35-inch tyres, over a foot (305 mm) of ground clearance, nearly three feet (914 mm) of water wading capability and “competitive” approach and departure angles. The trucks will come with a front anti-roll bar disconnect function, front and rear mechanical locking differentials, and “robust” suspension options.
On the outside, the Traveler and Terra follow the usual modern truck design tropes, with clean surfacing, a wraparound windscreen, upswept rear window line kink and an in-vogue contrast-colour roof. The upright front and rear ends are a nod to the original Scout, coming with black oblong front and rear masks (with perimeter lighting and horizontal light blades) and chunky bumpers that are separated from the main body.
Just like other electric trucks, both models are fitted with a large front boot with space to fit golf clubs, a gym bag and a small cooler, plus 120-volt power outlets and USB-C charging ports. At the rear, the Terra gets a 5.5-foot (1,676 mm) bed with two 120-volt and one 240-volt outlets, while the Traveler receives a split tailgate and an external spare tyre.
The minimalist design language continues on the inside with a simple horizontal dashboard, featuring a scalloped section that houses the digital instrument display and infotainment touchscreen. In stark contrast to modern VWs, you get lots of chunky physical switchgear, including the steering wheel controls and, most notably, the climate control dials and buttons.
As for infotainment, the two models utilise a Scout Community UX that mixes a “highly-responsive” digital interface with the aforementioned physical controls, as well as a “zonal” software architecture that enables over-the-air updates and remote diagnostics.
Buyers can choose between a large centre console with plenty of storage or a front bench, the latter essentially turning the Traveler and Terra into six-seaters thanks to the inclusion of a centre seat belt. A variety of roof options will also be offered, including a panoramic glass panel and a Cabana Top that opens to provide an open-air experience and one of the largest roof openings of any SUV.
While the Traveler and Terra are designed to be very capable out of the box, Scout will offer various accessories to augment the trucks’ off-road prowess, including auxiliary lighting, side steps, power off-boarding solutions, off-road bumpers with tow hooks and a heavy-duty winch.
Built in Columbia, South Carolina, the Scout Traveler and Terra are available to order in the US now, with prices starting at US$50,000 (RM217,500) with incentives, or US$60,000 (RM261,000) retail. Production is set to kick off in 2027.
GALLERY: Scout Traveler 
GALLERY: Scout Terra 
The post Scout Traveler, Terra – new VW-owned EV SUV, pick-up; up to 560 km range, over 800 km w/ range extender appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.
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