VW’s Scout unveils electric pickup and SUV with up to 800 km of range

Scout Motors, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, has unveiled two new flagship electric off-roaders for the US market. The SUV Traveler and its pickup counterpart, the Terra, sit on the same electric body-on-frame platform, providing up to 350 miles (563 km) of range. A range-extender option brings that range to up to 800 km.

Both SUVs and pickup trucks will be available in a four-motor configuration. They will have impressive performance (0-60 mph in 3.5 sec.) and nearly 1,300 Nm of torque. They also feature solid rear axles and front and rear lockers for the best off-road performance.

Long-awaited toy for US customers

Scout Motors has been taunting the media with news of its future models, but the wait is finally over. Two years ago, the Volkswagen Group shared plans to revive the name for rugged and off-road vehicles.

In Europe and China, carmakers focus on luxurious and efficient EVs, but an SUV or pickup truck is necessary for the US market. Scout Motors plays on those two fronts with the new Traveler and Terra.

Workhorses

Both electric vehicles are built on a shared body-on-frame platform, with a solid rear axle and front and rear lockers available for the best off-road performance possible. Scout keeps technical data under tight seal for the moment, but we know already that a four-motor variant with 1,300 Nm of torque will be capable of going from 0 to 60 mph (96 kph) in only 3.5 seconds.

Scout Motors also announces projected towing capabilities, which seem paramount to US truck and SUV owners. The Terra pick-up should be able to tow over 4.5 tons, while the SUV’s shorter wheelbase should limit it to 3.1 tons.

EV or range-extender

In addition to mentioning the prowess of the four-motor variant, Scout Motors announces a range of 350 miles (563 km) for the fully electric variant. There will be different variants, as Scout plans to offer a built-in, gas-powered range extender. There is no more information on the specs, but we know the range is expected to grow to over 500 miles (800 km).

This technology could help Scout Motors find new customers, especially in the more rural parts of the USA. RAM thinks the same way, as it has equipped its 1500 REV electric pickup truck with a Pentastar V6 range extender only for charging the large battery.

Luxurious, functional, and under $60,000

Inside, both Scout Motors flagship vehicles share the same dashboard. The American company talks of the “fit for purpose” philosophy. There are screens and touchscreens, but there are also a good number of buttons, large and easy-to-use buttons at that!

The horizontal layout offers plenty of cubby spaces, and the seats are covered in sustainable materials. Even better, there seems to be a bench seat option that seats three in the front row, meaning that the pickup truck could seat up to six passengers.

According to Scout Motors, the entry-level Traveler will be marketed as low as $50,000, and the Terra will start at $51,000. However, these prices include the available incentives. Without any purchase bonuses, the two electric off-roaders should be sold through Scout Motors’ website at around $60,000. In any case, potential buyers will have to wait until 2027.