Volkswagen is dusting off a heritage nameplate for a new electric off-roader brand, and it’ll reveal a pair of concepts on October 24.
The Scout nameplate is being used for the first time in 44 years. It was last used on an off-roader built by International Harvester, which later became Navistar and was later acquired by Volkswagen.
Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh said there won’t be a lot of teasers between now and the reveal date, but has promised the new electric SUV and ute will be authentic.
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“Built for work and play, our new Scout SUV and truck will be rugged, capable, and versatile,” he said in a LinkedIn post.
“They have to be in order to credibly don the Scout badge. And with real tactile controls and real feel, they’ll meet the needs of Americans on the road and way off.”
The company has released a single teaser image ahead of the reveal, showing a built-in compass.
Scout had previously announced it would reveal a vehicle during the northern summer (June-August inclusive).
Production of Scout vehicles is set to begin in 2026 at a new plant in the US state of South Carolina.
The SUV will be the first model to roll down the line, with the pickup set to follow around six months later.
A number of teaser images previously published by the company reveal the Scout models have a blocky design that’s reminiscent of the original Jeep-style Scout utes and SUVs produced from 1961 to 1980.
The Scout electric pickup and SUV will be built on a “newly designed all-electric platform” that’s claimed to offer credible off-road prowess.
Mr Keogh told Automotive News last year the brand will use a “100 per cent capable, American, robust, full platform”, but didn’t confirm whether it would use a body-on-frame architecture.
He did, however, refute the idea Scout would use a derivative of the MEB architecture, which underpins everything from the Cupra Born to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
Given they will be electric, off-road capable, and likely large, it seems like the Scout ute and SUV will directly battle the Rivian R1T and R1S, respectively.
Subsequent to Volkswagen’s announcement of the Scout brand in 2022, the German giant confirmed it was forming a joint venture with Rivian which would see the firms work together on next-generation EV technology.
The tie-up will also see the German giant get access to Rivian’s current software and electrical architecture.
Volkswagen Australia has previously put its hand up for Scout models, but right-hand drive production has yet to be confirmed.
MORE: VW’s new electric Scout off-roaders to get their own platform
