Volkswagen’s Scout is back with a new all-electric SUV and truck

Zombies aren’t the only thing rising from the dead this Halloween.

Volkswagen has just unveiled a pair of electric concepts inspired by the long-defunct International Harvester Scout SUV. And if all goes according to plan, the battery-powered Traveler SUV and Terra truck will go into production later this decade.

More from the Robb Report

Built between 1960 and 1980, the Scout was one of the first mainstream SUVs and was developed as International Harvester’s answer to the original Jeep. It may not be as well remembered as the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet K5 Blazer that would debut in its wake, but it has its following among off-road enthusiasts thanks to some quirky features like a removable hardtop roof and a fold-down windshield. Had International Harvester continued to build the Scout, there’s a possibility it could have become a household name, but the automaker stopped building passenger cars in 1980, just years before SUVs really took off.

The scout traveler from the side — Scout travelers

A lot has changed over the last four and a half decades so it’s no wonder the concepts don’t resemble their namesakes. Both concepts are large and elegant and feel in line with other SUV/truck combinations, such as Rivian R1S and R1T. The best features are the ones that call back directly to past scouts. These include a fake grill and tailgate that features the Scout name in retro style updated lighting. Both vehicles can also accommodate up to 35-inch tires, something we imagine will appeal to off-road junkies out there.

Traveler and Terra will both be available with two powertrains. The first is an all-electric option while the second is a hybrid setup that uses a small internal combustion engine as a range extender (similar to what Ram does with the 1500 Ramcharger). The former will have a range of 350 miles, the latter 500 miles. Scout also says the EV will be able to sprint from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds.

A 3/4 front view of the Scout Terra — Scout Terra

We’ll have to wait for all the details, but the early signs are that the new scouts will be very capable. The electric cars will have body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle. They will also be able to carry a 2,000-pound payload, with the Traveler also able to haul an additional 7,000-pound load and the Terra a 10,000-pound load. The 800-volt electrical architecture used by the vehicles will also enable bidirectional charging, something that could come in handy in a pinch.

Unlike most concepts we see, Volkswagen has made it clear that they intend to put the Scout Traveler and Terra into production. Right now, the plan is to launch the resurrected brand in 2027, with both vehicles starting at under $60,000.

Click here to see more pictures of the scout traveler and Terra.