Terra

Just a few years after announcing its ambitious intention to revive the Scout brand—once owned by the International Harvester Company—VW has issued proof of concept in the form of the 2028 Scout Terra EV pickup. Debuting alongside its Scout Traveler SUV sibling, which we review separately, the Terra is poised to be an amalgam of modern and traditional styling and engineering themes. For instance, it’s built on a classic truck-style body-on-frame blueprint with a crew cab and 5.5-foot bed, but it uses a modern battery-electric powertrain that’s good for an estimated 350 miles of range. An available gasoline-powered range extender dubbed “Harvester”—in a not-so-subtle reference to the brand’s heyday—can extend that range to 500 miles. A pair of modern screens handle driver info and infotainment, yet physical knobs and switches are prioritized to keep things feeling rugged and tactile. A conventional solid axle resides in the rear, and mechanical front and rear locking differentials are part of the package. The styling pays a respectable homage to the original Scout SUV, particularly the way the front hood and fenders gently curve at the leading edge to meet up with the soft-edged rectangular grille. We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the tasteful reuse of the vintage “Scout” logo and its placement on the grille. To no one’s surprise, Scout will offer a complete line of accessories to let buyers personalize their vehicles.