VW to resurrect Scout, Highlander drops V-6, Hyundai and Rimac still on
VW revives Scout name for EV after Navistar purchase
Intake: Following in the footsteps of the Chrysler Airflow and Ford Lightning, the Volkswagen Group is dusting off the Scout name for a forthcoming electrified pickup and SUV. Posted in a tweet from their official Twitter account, Scout production is claimed to start in 2026. VW used the word “rugged” in their announcement to suggest this Scout won’t disappoint purists, those who’ve been previously let down by vehicles like the Chevy Blazer and Ford Bronco Sport.
Exhaust: The first thing most folks ask after this tweet is how VW obtained rights to the Scout name. Turns out that the VW Group acquired the trademarked name when its commercial truck business acquired Navistar (formerly International Harvester, the Scout’s original maker) last July. While nothing else can be gleaned from VW Group’s tweet, perhaps the attached rendering gives some insight into the Scout’s off-road prowess, as it sports shorter overhangs, upswept bumpers, and angular lines reminiscent of the original. Color us impressed, and we can’t wait to learn more.
The world’s cutest car race is ten years old
Intake: 2022 marks a decade since the splendid Settrington Cup was first held at the Goodwood Revival. The race for drivers aged 4-11 years old is a sprint down the Pit Lane Straight at the famous Sussex circuit where racers provide their own power. After a Le Mans style running start the junior James Hunts and wannabe Formula W pilots leap into identical Austin J40 pedal cars for a 240-yard dash to the checkered flag. To celebrate the tenth running of this remarkable race the Duke of Richmond is offering a seat in his very own J40 to the winner of a race flag design competition. The Settrington Cup will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, and there’ll be a test day held during Goodwood’s Classic Car Sunday Breakfast Club meeting on July 24.
Exhaust: The only sounds you’ll hear are the oohs and aahs of the crowd as the smallest racers pedal furiously down the straight, but that doesn’t stop the Settrington Cup from being one of the highlights of the Revival Weekend. Bravo to Goodwood for starting them so young.
2023 Toyota Highlander drops V-6, adds more screens
Intake: Toyota is bringing a host of updates to its best-selling midsize SUV, the Highlander. The biggest news is under the hood, where a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will replace Toyota’s stalwart 3.5-liter free-breathing V-6. The new mill produces 265 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque—it’s down 30 hp but gains 46 additional twists relative to the six. Fuel economy remains the same, at a Toyota-estimated 24 mpg combined. A Hybrid drivetrain is still offered, pairing a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with two electric motor-generators. Total system output rings in at 243 hp, and hybrid Highlanders return a remarkable 36 mpg combined.
Exhaust: When we drove a 2021 Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD, we found that while a minivan is still a better family car, the Highlander’s generous space, fuel efficiency, and handsome styling qualify it for the top spot in the American three-row SUV market. These updates aren’t particularly ground-breaking, but in true Toyota fashion, that’s kind of the point—smart companies don’t mess with a good thing too much.
McLaren doffs cap to Queen with new paint hue
Intake: British supercar marque McLaren has developed a unique Platinum Jubilee paint to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. McLaren Special Operations worked with AkzoNobel to devise the majestic metallic hue, which took eight days to apply to an Artura demonstrator. The paint will be available to customers but the car’s Elizabeth II badging is a one-off.
Exhaust: Well-known as a car lover, Her Majesty learned to drive army ambulances as a teenager and has a lifelong love of British cars from Land Rovers to Bentleys. Expect more automotive tributes to follow as Britains celebrates her diamond jubilee.
Hyundai says things are still on with Rimac
Intake: We’ve heard directly from Hyundai regarding the status of its technical partnership with the Rimac Group, a three-year collaboration bearing fruit in two projects: A fuel-cell coupe and an electric sports car. Contrary to this May 2 report from Automotive News, all is well between the Korean and Croatian firms. “Hyundai and Kia remain invested in the Rimac Group, and can confirm there are currently several high-level partnership projects ongoing,” reads an official statement forwarded by Derek Joyce of Hyundai Motor North America. “Both parties recognize the value in this strategic partnership, and will continue to cooperate together in the future.” As of May of 2019, Hyundai invested $90M in the venture, purchasing a 12 percent stake in The Rimac Group together with sister firm Kia. We’ve also reached out to Rimac, but, as of this writing, have not heard back.
Exhaust: Sometimes rumors are just that. However, given Porsche’s increasing of its stake in Rimac from 10 to 24 percent in 2021, skeptics had reason to wonder whether Hyundai felt that Rimac’s attention was straying elsewhere. On top of Stuttgart’s additional investment, The Rimac Group purchased Bugatti from The VW Group last September, suggesting that its priorities were shifting away from its partnerships, which also include Aston Martin. Rimac can’t be all things to all companies … or can it? We’re just encouraged that Hyundai is pursuing the tire-smoking side of alternative powertrains, as the all-electric RM20e (above) and mysterious fuel-cell coupe (below) indicate. Good on N.
