Volkswagen confirms Scout electric off-road SUV and pick-up

Iconic American nameplate Scout is set to be relaunched for a new line of electric off-road vehicles, the Volkswagen Group has confirmed.

Teaser images released overnight suggest a large SUV and a paired pickup will be launched as early models (below).

Prototypes are reportedly on track to be revealed in 2023, with customer deliveries expected to follow in 2026.

The vehicles will be backed by “a new engineering platform concept”, according to the automaker – indicating they will not run on the MEB platform that underpins the company’s current electric cars.

Although wholly owned by the Volkswagen Group, Scout will become a separate US-based entity and brand.

The line will be designed and manufactured in the United States and, at least initially, sold exclusively in North America.

Now-defunct manufacturer International Harvester offered the original Scout off-roader between 1961 and 1980.

The high-rider was introduced as a competitor to the Ford Bronco and offered with a range of four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines, with pick-up or SUV bodies.

Following bankruptcy in 1985, the brand changed hands several times before being acquired by Volkswagen in 2020.