Scout Motors Unveils 2027 Terra Pickup and Traveler SUV
International Harvester found a niche in the automotive market and created the SUV as we know it when it introduced the 1961 Scout 80. Production of the Scout lineup ended almost 44 years to the day that Scout Motors pulled the covers off the first two vehicles that will reintroduce the Scout brand beginning in 2027. Former Scout designers, current Scout owners, and media attended the launch event where the Scout Terra pickup and Scout Traveler SUV were unveiled to an enthusiastic reception.
Let’s get the big stuff out of the way first. Keeping with Scout’s reputation for off-road capability, the Terra and Traveler will use body-on-frame construction with a solid rear axle and mechanical locking differentials front and rear. Additional off-road performance will come from available 35-inch tires and a front sway bar disconnect, giving both models more than 12 inches of ground clearance and the suspension flexibility to put the rubber to the trail. Power numbers weren’t mentioned, although Scout did claim a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds. Towing will be in the neighborhood of 10,000 pounds for Terra, 7,000 pounds for Traveler. The payload will be about a ton each. EV models will aim to deliver 350 miles of range, but there will also be an optional extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) system, called Harvester, that will pair a smaller battery pack with a gas-powered generator to extend the range to 500 miles. Aside from the initial reveal of the designs, which seemed to win over the crowd immediately, the EREV announcement elicited the most excitement and buzz. We don’t have details on the generator, but it won’t be mounted under the hood, so the sizeable frunk is not in jeopardy.
Inside, Scout delivers a modern interior that was inspired by the Scout II. Parallel horizontal elements frame the gauges and center screen with a brow up top and a lower bar that doubles as a passenger grab handle below. Scout was adamant that the vehicles have buttons for all HVAC functions and there are also volume knobs for the stereo. The driver gets a volume knob on the steering wheel and the passenger gets one on the top right of the center screen.
Both models will be assembled at the Scout Motors facility that’s under construction in Blythewood, South Carolina, and half of the parts (by cost) required to build the Terran and Traveler will come within 200 miles of the facility. An additional 30 percent of its parts will come from within North America.
“Two years in the making, the day has finally come to share the next generation of Scout vehicles with the world,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Scout Motors. “The original core idea — rugged, versatile vehicles capable of off-road adventure and family duty — is more relevant than ever. We couldn’t be prouder to revitalize this iconic American brand, create thousands of American jobs, and put American ingenuity back to work.”
Both vehicles reflect the design language present in many of the original Scouts without being unnecessarily derivative. Designers referred to the “mask” at the front as the headlights frame blacked-out elements that echo the 1980 Scout grille. Of course, the profile of the Traveler is a nod to the Scout II and the instantly recognizable shape of the rear side window. There’s a lot to love in the design of both vehicles, and it seemed to win over current Scout owners and former International Harvester employees who were on hand. Dick Hatch retired from IH in 2007, having spent 40 years as a designer with the company. He created some of the Scout 800’s graphics packages and also penned the grille design of the final Scout models built in 1980. When asked how he felt about the modern interpretation of Scout, he noted that there was, “not a line I would change.”
The names of these new models should sound familiar, as they come from 1976-1980 Scouts that used a longer wheelbase than the contemporary Scout II. The new models, while nearly identical from the B-pillar forward, have unique hoods, bumpers, and ride on different wheelbases. Take a look at the dimensions below.
Both models are targeting a 2027 on-sale date and similar price tags, with entry prices under $60,000. Scout Motors won’t be done with these two models, as the company hopes to eventually offer a two-door pickup and a three-row version of the Traveler. Scout Motors is already taking reservations, and we overheard several current Scout owners who have already dropped a deposit to secure their place in line.
I like ’em. Sounds like the company has been listening to what potential owners really want in a vehicle. I hope this effort is rewarded with sales and eventual success! 👍👍
Agree.
Looks good in pictures. I like analog buttons on the dash/wheel. Might even have some fun colors too.
VW makes enough sales dent with this maybe we see some of the other companies pull out some better styling to the image. I would love to see the 67-72 C10 modern interpreted into a gen 1 Colorado size truck for example.
I put in a reservation, and then I saw the dimensions!! WAY TOO BIG! I thought they were going to be near the original Scout sizes, but no. I want my money back. It’s a heartache that there are almost no sensible sized vehicles left on the market today.
Yes, these are large vehicles. The SUV is about a foot and a-half longer than a comparable Bronco, and wider, too. (Though the the width most people are freaking out about is with mirrors extended, not the body width.) This is, surprisingly, sized like an Expedition (only two inches shorter) than a Bronco, even though “back in the day,” this would have been a Bronco competitor. It’ll probably make a great family hauler for camping and overlanding, but might be a little unwieldy on the narrower trails.
That said, it was never going to be sized like a Gen1 Scout. Those were 8 inches shorter than the current Bronco **2-door**. It would be completely Jeep Wrangler cramped as a 2-door and completely unusable as a 4-door. But, like you, I did think it would be a similar size to the Gen6 Bronco. Some have compared it’s size to the reborn Hummer EV, which seems accurate.
A bench seat in the pickup! This sold me right away. I miss them
Been eagerly waiting for this unveil and man they absolutely knocked it out of the park
Made one of the best balances of old school and modernity love how Scout is taking the sustainability approach for their brand and community this looks legit!
A bit expensive however it’s just right for the market and with incentives it’s not a bad deal hopefully they have a successful enough launch so that they can introduce cheaper, more affordable models for the masses wishing them the best!
I still think a large, extremely heavy and ostensibly off-road capable SUV with high clearance and the drag coefficient of a brick is the worst possible application for an EV – a vehicle who’s “gas tank” weighs well over 1000 lbs and holds a relatively small amount of “fuel” that trickles into the “tank” like molasses in winter. And I think $60,000 is unrealistically low for so much vehicle compared to other vehicles currently on the market. Nor can they rely on miracle, yet to be discovered break throughs to make this plausible. I doubt they could turn a profit at this price point even if they installed a 258 straight 6 with a 20 second 0-60 time just like the original.
If they had a combustion engine version, I’d be all in………
I think both look great and at a starting price of under $60,000, I think they will be very successful.
It looks like a nicer looking Rivian. The details they mention are better than I expected. I would be curious to more about the generator in this case.
Did I miss what the internal combustion engine would be… and HP? Texans still prefer ICE propulsion!
DOA.
Just what the market needs, another over-sized, over-weight, just like all the rest of the 4-door Suburban sized SUVs. Nothing special to stand out from the very big, very competitive, crowd. And to top it off, it’s a hybrid EV. I think they are trying to please too many segments of the market with one vehicle. It will sell ok the first year to IH fans, but after that………….. I was hoping for a Scout.
On Saturday, I spent 6 hours crawling the Mogollon rim in AZ. 6 hours of driving around 5 mph, in 4Lo about 50% of the time. I used over 12 gallons of fuel, not counting the fuel used driving to the trail head.
This is what I need in an off road capable vehicle. An EV isn’t going to do this. Rivian are intended for graded forest service roads, not crawling around all day setting up for a hunt. Scout is no different.
BTW I have 35s and locked solid axles too.
So the new Scout is not the right tool for *your* usage. Could still fit another person’s needs perfectly. Not everyone is as hardcore as you.
Please above all MAKE THEM MORE RUST RESISTANT! Yes they do seem a little big Size was one thing I really liked about the Scout II
Rust resistance will require a dramatic “environmentally favorable” change: Stop using SALT on the roads. Along with corroding steel, it also poisons the soils it runs off into. The “rust belt” should be called the “salt belt”.
Pretty smart bringing back a retro vehicle that no one other than those in their 50’s and above remembers. If it’s anything we have seen for instance the Dodge Challenger. A car that originally had a short four-year life span. Reincarnated to live on for over 20 years with zero updates in the design.
Sorry guys. Although cool. It isn’t feasible and will die a painful death like all of the other Tesla startups. No auto manufacturer is not sound enough to take on the electric giant.