2026 Scout: Volkswagen teases electrical off-roader

Volkswagen’s new electrical off-roader model, Scout Motors, has teased its first mannequin.

The shadowy picture, printed on Scout’s new web site, exhibits the blocky styling of the unnamed mannequin that has beforehand been teased in sketch kind.

Just like the sketches, the teaser picture exhibits the light slope of the entrance finish’s forefront, which flows into an in any other case bluff, rectilinear form.

Scout will supply each an SUV and a pickup truck.

The sketches revealed the Scout fashions will characteristic blocky styling, whereas an upturned belt line pays homage to outdated Worldwide Harvester Scouts.

Along with launching its web site, the brand new model has additionally created a web-based message board. It’s supposed to be used not simply by customers who wish to keep up-to-date concerning the model, but in addition by followers of the outdated Scout.

The primary idea variations of the ute and SUV will probably be revealed in 2023, with manufacturing to kick off in 2026. It’s unlikely they’ll share something with the internal-combustion Amarok.

The brand new off-roaders received’t be rebadged variations of different Volkswagen Group merchandise. VW says the corporate is being fashioned to “design, engineer, and manufacture pick-up and rugged” fashions for the US market.

As an alternative of the MEB platform getting used for autos just like the ID.3 and ID.4, the R-SUV vary (as VW has dubbed it) will probably be constructed on a “new technical platform idea”.

“After Volkswagen’s profitable turnaround within the US, we are actually taking the chance to additional strengthen our place in one of the crucial important development markets for EVs,” stated Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess.

“Electrification supplies a historic alternative to enter the extremely enticing pick-up and R-SUV phase as a Group, underscoring our ambition to turn into a related participant within the U.S. market.”

The corporate is forecasting annual gross sales of 250,000 autos, although it hasn’t spoken of a presence for the model exterior of North America.

Volkswagen isn’t the one firm growing a boxy, electrical off-roader.

Rivian already has the R1S SUV and R1T pickup, Jeep has previewed its upcoming Recon due mid-decade, and Mercedes-Benz has an electrical G-Class in improvement.

Over in China, BYD is establishing a premium model known as Yangwang, with a boxy SUV spied testing. Chery can be introducing the Jetour T-1, which bears a resemblance to the Land Rover Defender.

Wanting extra broadly at electrical pickup vans, there’ll quickly be an unlimited variety of choices within the North American market. The Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning will probably be joined by the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ram 1500 BEV, GMC Sierra EV and Tesla Cybertruck within the coming years.

Volkswagen gained the rights to the Scout badge when it bought heavy truck producer Navistar, based in 1986 because the successor to Worldwide Harvester.

The Scout title was utilized to a Jeep rival from the Worldwide Harvester firm between 1961 and 1980.

Produced within the US state of Indiana, it was out there with a variety of hard- and soft-top physique types, and featured a pickup possibility.

MORE: Forgotten nameplates: Scout