Love them or hate them, EVs have led to the resurrection of a couple of off-road brands. A few years ago, Hummer was brought back as a line of GMC vehicles focused on electric all-terrain adventuring. Through its purchase of Navistar, Volkswagen acquired the rights to the Scout name, an International Harvester model that was discontinued in 1980. It subsequently decided to use that as the name of its new off-road SUV company. Starting in the 2027 model year, Scout Motors will offer the Terra pickup and Traveler SUV with all-electric or electric power with a range-extending four-cylinder gas engine that charges the battery pack. To give Jay Leno a taste of what to expect from the brand, Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh brought prototypes of both rigs to his massive Burbank, California garage.
The fact that those two vehicles exist right now is an accomplishment. Scout’s $2 billion plant in Columbia, South Carolina hasn’t even been finished yet. Aside from a high-pitched whine and other occasional unpleasant sounds, the Traveler prototype that Leno ends up driving around the Burbank airport provides a glimpse at how the final product will be. The steel and aluminum bodywork sits on top of a separate frame. A sway bar disconnect feature will be available up front and a four-corner air suspension will be optional. The Scout Traveler is not intended to be a mall-crawler, so it will have short overhangs, usable ground clearance, e-lockers, and a proper solid rear axle.
According to Keogh, the electrical architecture is built for 800-volt charging and torque will hit the quadruple-digit mark of 1,000 lb-ft. The all-electric version of the Terra pickup will get a nickel, magnesium, and cobalt battery and be capable of hauling 2,000 pounds and towing up to 10,000; the Traveler EV will have a towing capacity of about 7,000 pounds. Models equipped with the range extender and the included lithium iron phosphate battery should be able to pull 5,000 pounds. There’s also a difference in 0-60 times: EV Scouts will be able to scoot to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds while those with the range extender will need an extra second to get there.
Speaking of getting somewhere, EV models will have a range of approximately 350 miles. The range extender will push that number up to more than 500.
Like other EVs, the Scout Traveler will have a touchscreen infotainment system interface, but that won’t monopolize control over the vehicle’s systems. There are physical switches for a variety of functions. Three roof options will be available: solid, glass, and a retractable canvas covering known as the “cabana roof.” Why no removable panels? To cut back on vibration and noise. Another surprise is the use of a physical key.
The Scout Motors site shows the Traveler will have a base price of $50,000 (with available incentives); the entry-level price for the Terra will be slightly higher at $51,500. Retail prices for both Scout models should come in under $60,000.