Volkswagen Is Mulling Its Own Model Based On Scout's New Platform

2028 Scout Terra And Traveler

Published Mar 19, 2025

Since picking up his first set of MicroMachine toy cars as a toddler, Chris knew he had a passion for automobiles embedded in his soul. It wasn't until he started flipping through car magazines a little later—even before he could read—just to look at photos of all the cool cars.

After writing a couple of buyer's guides for his high-school newspaper about the best way to find a great used first car, he learned he wanted to be an automotive journalist. Chris then graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a Bachelor's Degree in journalism & media studies with a minor in digital communications and cultural studies in 2014. Taking the wise proverb to heart, "you'll never work one day when you do what you love doing most," he's since devoted his career to becoming a professional photographer and emerging voice in the car industry.

With over 14 years of experience, Chris has written for many A-List automotive outlets including Automobile Magazine, MotorTrend, Forbes, Hagerty, Hemmings, DigitalTrends.com/Cars, GearPatrol, TheDrive, AutoBlog, Motor1, CARandDRIVER, Roundel Magazine, TheTruthAboutCars, and beyond.

While Chris may not have any kids and is single and ready to mingle, he can be found either tending to his daily-driven 1987 Mercedes-Benz "W126" 560SEL, wrenching on his 1974 Mercedes-Benz "W116" 450SEL, playing videogames, photographing weddings—if he's not already adventuring somewhere randomly to indulge in his passion for photography—spending quality time with his younger niece and nephews, or hanging out with his big, fluffy Siberian cat.

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Volkswagen is apparently looking to maximize its recent collaboration with Scout by building its own off-road-biased model on the revival's new platform. According to Britain'sAutocar, the Wolfsburg-based automaker may spin off its own version of an electrified off-roader or SUV based on the new platform destined to underpin the incoming Terra pickup and Traveler SUV.

Back in 2022, Volkswagen AG relaunched theScout Motors brand after acquiring rights to the name and the company. Just last year in 2024, Scout Motors revealed the fruits of its labor by debuting theTerra pickup and Traveler SUV, or two rugged body-on-frame all-electric trucks geared towards adventuring into the wilderness. In addition to theall-electric powertrains, Scout also debuted range-extended versions named after the original Harvester model from the 1960s and 1970s,

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EVs with gas-powered range extenders might sound ironic, but they do aid with the overall range very well, and here's how Scout will do it.

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By Craig Cole

Feb 17, 2025

VW's Plans To Build A Rugged Off-Roader Seem Plausible With Scout In The Picture

According toAutoCar, Volkswagen had aspirations to build a new off-road-inspired model to take advantage of the growing demand for overlanding and four-by-four vehicles. It's the same booming demand that's led to some other newcomers, such as the Ineos Grenadier, and even more off-road-biased versions of some preexisting vehicles.

Volkswagen hinted at these aspirations with hints of a model internally dubbed the ID Ruggdzz back in 2020. It was to utilize the company's latest MEB modular electric architecture. However, due to a change in VW Group's management, the company scrapped those plans. Today,Scout Motors is entirely owned and funded by Volkswagen AG. But it still operates completely on its own as a subsidiary and individual automaker.

Scout Is Taking The Fight To Legacy Automakers With Its EV Prowess

The plan for the Terra and the Traveler is to go after the same customers who buy Jeep Wranglers, Ford Broncos, and Land Rover Defenders, all for their rugged and tough off-road capabilities. However, the biggest distinguishing characteristic of the Scouts is their all-electric powertrains with optional range-extending capabilities.

With Scout being a joint-venture with Volkswagen, withRivian also playing a role, Volkswagen could use this opportunity to build an off-roader of its own.

2028 Scout Terra Exterior (1) — 2028 Scout Terra

Previously, Volkswagen faced major challenges with its aspirations to build an off-roader, simply because it didn't have a body-on-frame platform it could feasibly use. The German automaker does produce the Amarok pickup for certain African, Asian, and the Australian/New Zealand markets. But the current, second-generation model utilizes a Ford Ranger platform and is built in South Africa,

With Scout developing its own ladder frame from the ground up, Volkswagen could benefit from its use and development. Especially, as the automaker continues pushing for electrification.

With Scout being a start-up, it could help open these doors altogether, by giving the German carmaker an opportunity "to observe how a start-up would take on these challenges," Scout's technical chief, Burkhard Huhnke, said in an interview.

“There is no body-on-frame platform in the entire group, so someone has to start. There is no body like that, EV like that, chassis like that, so we have to start from scratch," Huhnke continued.

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Scout's EVs got a gasoline range extender late in the game, and now they're more popular than solely electric models.

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By Chase Bierenkoven

Jan 11, 2025

Although largely speculative,AutoCar says undisclosed sources familiar with the matter expressed interest in Scout's new platform. But, should anything come to fruition from these plans, something wouldn't happen until as far out as 2028. Additionally, Audi also reportedly expressed similar interest in building a dedicated off-roader, since the company's also a major part of the Volkswagen Group. However, nothing's advanced in terms of the Ingoldstadt automaker's desires.