In a billion dollar bid to make the road into US market for pickups and off roading SUVs, Volkswagen announced a couple of striking electric vehicles under old Scout brand on Tennessee hillside Thursday.
VW designed and engineered the Terra and Traveler in Michigan where brand has its headquarters.
It will build them in assembly plant near South Carolina, Columbia.
Targeted for production in 2027 the midsize Scout Terra pickup and Traveler SUV were designed to recall the Scout vehicles U.S. farm instrument and heavy truck maker International Harvester built in 1961-80.
“Going with Scout brand as opposed to VW gives it an advantage” said S&P Global Mobility principal analyst Stephanie Brinley
“WW has no heritage in US for pickups and off roaders”
The new Scouts will show components for serious off roading an airy attractive interior.
Scout is positioning the vehicles to be little bit premium said S&P Global Mobility principal analyst Stephanie Brinley
“They have got a couple of years to start building buzz and get people thinking about brand.Just being electric is not enough. ”
VW has covered the US pickup market for decades but balked at mega cost of developing vehicles tailored to it.
The new couple are exactly tailored to market and showpieces for VW EV technology to boot.
Out the door for $50K with 350 mile range?
Prices for production versions of both vehicles will begin under $60,000 VW expects them to qualify fro full federal tax credits.
Those credits may change by 2027 Scout predicts Traveler prices will begin as low as $50,000 after incentives the Terra as low as $51,500.
Scout predicts range up to 350 miles on charge. All electric model a version with range extending gasoline engine should deliver providing 500 miles range.
Scout calls the range feature Harvester another nod to vehicles heritage.
The German automaker got the rights to Scout name in 2020 when it bought Navistar International.
Scout not adding how big batteries will be or how long it will take to charge them but vehicles will have Tesla style charging ports and able to accept power up to 350kW when DC rapid charging.
They will capable of bi directional electric flow to provide household power during blackouts.
Scout Terra pickup view
- 10,000 pound + towing capacity
- 2,000 pound payload
- Predicted battery range up to 350 miles
- Available gasoline powered range extender
- Four door crew cab
- On sale in 2027
- Prices under $60,000
- Assemble near Columbia South Carolina
- Four wheel drive
- Body on frame platform
- Eligible for full federal EV and battery tax credits
3.5 seconds o-60 plus real switches and dials
Scout not adding how much horsepower they will develop but it almost 1000 pound feet for torque and 0-60 mph times as rapid as 3.5 seconds.
Scout will sell vehicles direct to consumers without dealer network.
VW dealers bitterly but automaker promises a single app login and password for most of purchase service and repair.
The brand will have service centers and showrooms Scout says 80% of repairs can be done on off site.
The terra pickup have 5.5 foot bed with one 240v and two 120v power outlets.
The Traveler SUV comes with split tailgate to keep cargo from rolling out and provide shelter from weather.
There will be available glass roof with power sunshade and power folding fabric Cabana Roof.
“There are challenges for new brand but this scratches an itch fo a lot of people” Waatti said.
The Scouts will come with zonal electrical architecture which reduces vehicle weight and complexity.
The interior features conventional physical switches and dials for feature plus mega touch screen.