Scout Will Use a Naturally Aspirated VW Engine Made in Mexico

As technology advances, range anxiety is becoming less of a concern for large trucks and SUVs. Weight affects efficiency and range, leading some automakers to introduce range-extending gas engines as an interim solution. Scout’s new models will mainly be electric vehicles, but with an option for a range extender called “Harvester,” manufactured in Mexico. This engine will not have turbocharging.

The four-cylinder engine will come from VW Group’s plant in Silao, Mexico, and be placed behind the rear axle. It is designed to be quiet and unnoticeable while driving. The Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV are expected to cover 350 miles in their standard electric form, but with the Harvester range extender, they could reach 500 miles with 150 miles of pure electric range.

Scout predicts the Terra and Traveler will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in three and a half seconds, increasing by a second with the range extender. The engine’s role is to act as a generator to recharge the battery while driving. Other EVs, like the Chevrolet Volt and BMW i3, have used similar range extender setups previously.

Scout plans to start production of their new models in late 2027 in South Carolina, creating thousands of jobs and aiming to produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually. The Harvester version is expected to contribute to this ambitious production goal. These Scout models will not compete with existing VW products, as VW does not offer similar off-road, body-on-frame SUVs in the United States.