Scout Motors Teases Summer Prototype Reveal
We’ve been hearing about Volkswagen’s Scout brand revival for a while now, and it finally appears we don’t have long to wait for a first look. The automaker recently released a short teaser video, and while details are scarce, the end states that the first model is due this summer.
Scout has shown several teases, giving us small glimpses of an SUV and pickup truck, but there haven’t been any details or actual images of either. The automaker’s YouTube teaser focuses heavily on the attitude of being a “scout,” but it only shows footage of classic off-roaders.
Volkswagen’s ownership of the Scout brand doesn’t mean we’ll see a rebadged Atlas or other crossover. The automaker will have its own off-road-ready platform and get unique powertrain options. VW announced that it would work with Magna Steyr to develop the vehicles, and it’s working on a new factory in South Carolina, which it said would eventually be able to build 200,000 vehicles a year.
The original International Harvester Scouts were built for about two decades before being discontinued in 1980. VW got ahold of the Scout name through an acquisition by its commercial truck division and announced a revival under the Scout Motors name. However, while we’re excited to see the prototype in a few months, production models are not expected until 2026, so there’s almost no chance that we’ll be getting a test drive anytime soon.
[Image: Scout Motors via YouTube]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Unless it can turn 54's and have a 1,000 mile range, not interested ;)
Having Steyr involved is a hopeful sign. They KNOW 4x4 and serious offroad stuff.
When IH went lights out back in the 1980's I always hoped that somehow the Scout (especially the Terra) would make a comeback, even if it was a limited run commissioned by Navistar and built by someone else.
This is NOT what I wanted. The teasers and renderings look cool, but the EV turns me off. This will end up being another 10K pound street queen a la Hummer. I cannot see this thing going off road. Another notable BOF vehicle name sullied by corporate greed.
Meanwhile in a different part of VW...