Volkswagen Group is bringing back a legendary name from automotive history with the announcement of the New International Scout brand. This exciting revival will see the introduction of all-electric vehicles, starting with a rugged SUV, referred to as an RUV (Rugged Utility Vehicle), and a robust pickup truck. Both of these off-road focused EVs are slated to be produced in a brand-new, dedicated Scout factory located in the United States, with production beginning in 2025 and vehicles expected to hit the market shortly after.
While still in the early stages of development, the anticipation for the reborn Scout brand is already building. Teaser images have provided glimpses into the design direction of these first two models, hinting at vehicles that will be genuinely trail-ready. Volkswagen has emphasized that both the Scout SUV and pickup will deliver performance and pricing that aligns with established off-road SUVs currently available.
There are still many details to be unveiled regarding the new Scout SUV and its pickup counterpart before they reach production. However, here’s a comprehensive overview of what we know so far about these highly anticipated electric off-roaders.
What Will the New Scout Look Like?
The initial teasers of the Scout SUV suggest a boxy and robust design language, characterized by minimal overhangs, practical four-door configurations, and a shorter wheelbase that’s ideal for off-road maneuverability. Visually, the new international Scout aims to draw inspiration from iconic off-roaders like the Ford Bronco, effectively reimagining the spirit of the original International Harvester Scout with a modern, electric twist. Early sketches that surfaced in June further reinforce this direction, revealing a high beltline and an overall boxy aesthetic for both the SUV and pickup models, drawing parallels to vehicles such as the Rivian R1T and the aforementioned Bronco.
Earlier this year, insights into the design philosophy were shared by Chris Benjamin, the newly appointed Chief Design Officer for Scout. Benjamin highlighted a nuanced approach to off-road capability, stating, “You know, a lot of what you see off-road vehicles doing is, it’s like: ‘Let’s go out, let’s conquer the off-road world, let’s conquer the rocks,’ and Scout isn’t about that,”. He further elaborated, “Scout is having the ability to go off-roading and do those things, but it’s more about community and bringing people together. And so, that will factor into the design language as well, not trying to feel too overly aggressive.” This suggests the new international Scout will embody a more approachable and community-oriented off-road ethos, reflected in its design.
Based on these teasers and the described design ideology, renderings have emerged depicting a rugged yet stylish electric off-roader with a distinct retro flair. The hope is that the final production models will closely resemble these promising visualizations.
While the interior design of the Scout SUV remains under wraps, it’s anticipated that it will incorporate traditional elements commonly found in capable off-road vehicles. Durable rubberized floor mats, practical vinyl seating, and extensive waterproofing are highly likely to be part of the interior formula, combined with seamlessly integrated modern technology.
What About The Interior Tech and Controls?
In a refreshing departure from current trends, particularly within Volkswagen’s own vehicle lineup, the new international Scout models are expected to prioritize user-friendliness and tactile controls. Instead of relying heavily on touch-capacitive controls or burying essential functions within complex touchscreen interfaces, the Scout aims to incorporate real, physical buttons for key operations.
Chris Benjamin emphasized the importance of manual controls in an interview with InsideEVs, stating, “Manual is important. We want to make sure that things you use every day are not buried somewhere in the screen. Easy, functional, tactile, all super important. Scout was a machine that always worked. We want to make sure the new one always works, too.” This commitment to physical controls underscores a focus on reliability, ease of use, and a direct connection between the driver and the vehicle’s functions, aligning with the brand’s heritage of dependable machines.
What Will the New Scout Be Called?
In a significant move towards establishing its brand identity, Scout engaged in an extensive trademarking effort in December 2023, filing for an impressive 50 trademarks. Each of these trademarked names could potentially offer clues about the naming strategy for the new international Scout vehicles. The extensive list includes:
- Aristocrat
- Baler
- Cultivator
- Forma
- Grade
- Harrow
- Harvester
- Rallye
- Scout 80
- Scout 800
- Scout Hauler
- Scout II
- Scout Reaper
- Scout Spirit
- Scout Terra
- Scythe
- Sno-Star
- Sportstar
- SR-2
- SSII
- Super Scout
- Swather
- Tellus
- Terra
- Terrastar
- Thresher
- Trailstar
- Travelstar
- Travelstar XL
- Traveltop
Notably, several of these trademarks are direct throwbacks to the original International Harvester Scout models, such as Scout 80 and Scout 800. The iconic Scout II, also included in the trademarks, featured popular trims like the Terra, Traveler, and Super Scout. Furthermore, names like Sportstar, Terrastar, Trailstar, and Travelstar hold historical significance, having been special models customized by Custom Vehicles Incorporated, which was located adjacent to the original Scout headquarters.
Beyond the heritage-inspired names, the list also contains a selection of fresh, potentially evocative names that could be applied to the new SUV or pickup. These include names like Cultivator, Reaper, Spirit, Harrow, and Rallye, among others, offering a blend of tradition and modernity in the naming possibilities for the new international Scout lineup.
What’s Under The “Hood?”
Both the Scout SUV and pickup are confirmed to be all-electric vehicles, marking a significant shift towards sustainable off-roading. While Volkswagen already possesses a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version of its MEB platform, which underpins several of its current EVs, the new international Scout will differentiate itself by utilizing a completely unique platform. This bespoke platform is being specifically engineered and developed to excel in off-road environments, as confirmed in an interview with TechCrunch featuring CEO Scott Keogh.
A dual-motor setup with standard all-wheel drive is almost certain for the Scout EV models. However, the possibility of even more potent three- and four-motor configurations isn’t entirely ruled out, depending on Scout’s ability to maintain competitive pricing. This dedicated off-road platform could also potentially be leveraged for other vehicles within the broader VW Group portfolio. Notably, Audi is reportedly considering developing an electric off-roader to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, potentially utilizing a Scout-based SUV platform. This indicates a degree of component and platform sharing within the VW Group ecosystem.
To effectively compete with established off-road benchmarks like the Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, the Scout SUV will need to incorporate hardcore off-road equipment. This likely includes features such as locking rear differentials and long-travel suspension systems. Furthermore, the Scout EVs will need to offer robust towing and hauling capabilities, along with sufficient driving range to confidently reach off-road trails, navigate them, and return.
Current EVs built on VW’s MEB architecture offer ranges exceeding 310 miles. However, the new international Scout SUV is expected to aim for a range closer to 400 miles, or even greater, by the time it debuts. In terms of power output, a figure around 300 horsepower would position the Scout competitively against the base Ford Bronco (275 hp) and Jeep Wrangler (285 hp).
Scout CEO Scott Keogh emphasized the brand’s commitment to ruggedness and capability in an interview with InsideEVs, stating, “We want to build something that’s highly robust and highly capable. And I think Scouts came from that, so we thought it was smart to say, let’s keep that integrity.”
Jan Spies, Scout Motors’ head of production and a veteran VW Group manufacturing executive, further highlighted the platform’s uniqueness, adding, “This is not a twin, or a brother, or daughter to any of the other platforms that we’ve ever had.”
How Much Will the New Scout Cost?
Volkswagen aims to position the new international Scout electric off-roaders competitively within the existing market segment, targeting price parity with current off-road vehicles like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. Scout CEO Scott Keogh confirmed in the TechCrunch interview that the starting price for the SUV is anticipated to be around $40,000, or “just north of there.”
Currently, the base two-door Ford Bronco starts at just over $36,000, while the two-door Jeep Wrangler is priced approximately three thousand dollars lower. The four-door Bronco configuration approaches the $40,000 mark, and the four-door Wrangler is slightly under $37,000. While it remains unclear if Scout will offer both two-door and four-door configurations, the teaser images predominantly showcase a four-door model, suggesting a price point that will likely align more closely with the four-door versions of the Bronco and Wrangler.
Where Will the New Scout Be Built?
VW Group is making a substantial investment in the new international Scout brand by constructing a dedicated manufacturing facility in Columbia, South Carolina. This $2 billion factory will serve as the production hub for both the Scout SUV and pickup, with potential for future models to be added to its production line. The automaker projects an annual production capacity of up to 250,000 vehicles at this facility, which is expected to create approximately 4,000 permanent jobs in the region.
The development of the Scout’s dedicated EV platform is being undertaken in Austria in collaboration with Magna Steyr. Magna Steyr is a renowned automotive manufacturer responsible for producing vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota Supra, among others. Volkswagen is allocating $492 million towards the development of both the SUV and pickup models, with all vehicle assembly operations taking place at the new US-based factory.
When Will We See the New Scout?
Enthusiasts may get their first glimpse of a prototype for the new international Scout SUV as early as next year. The initial prototypes are anticipated to be unveiled in late 2024, preceding the start of production in 2025 and a projected on-sale date in late 2026. CEO Keogh has also confirmed that the SUV model will be launched first, with a larger electric pickup truck following “in quick succession.”
The retail strategy for the new Scout electric off-roaders is still under development. The National Automobile Dealers Association and various state dealer associations have reportedly engaged with VW to seek clarity on how the Scout brand will be retailed in the US. While no definitive decisions have been announced, the growing trend of online EV sales suggests that Scout might explore a similar direct-to-consumer sales model.
Gallery: Scout Electric SUV Rendering
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