Scout Motors Reveals Two Traveler SUV Concepts

• The Mountainside is a more luxurious SUV that evokes the feeling of getting home after a long day out.

• The Trail Ready showcases the Traveler’s all-terrain capabilities.

• Scout Motors is now set to launch its Terra pickup and Traveler SUV in mid 2028 at the earliest.

Despite having pushed back the launch of its first two models to at least mid-2028, Scout Motors is still coming up with concepts that show what will be possible with the finalized production version.

Part of the Volkswagen Group, Scout Motors will aim to capitalize both on the truck and adventure SUV electric markets currently cornered by Rivian and the nostalgia off-roader market, currently inhabited by the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

Indeed, the first two models of the new Scout brand will be the Terra, a large electric pickup truck, and the Traveler, a boxy and rugged SUV based on the same platform.

The nostalgia element comes from the branding, as Scout, Terra, and Traveller were all names used on trucks and utilitarian SUVs manufactured by International Harvester back in the 1960s and 1970s.

The new Terra and Traveler also feature a decidedly retro-inspired design language, with straight lines, rectangular headlamps, and various elements taken directly from the old International models, like the angled rear quarter windows, and the logo scripts.

In addition, the available range extender gasoline engine, which is expected to be a non-turbocharged Volkswagen four-cylinder, is called Harvester.

Of course, vehicles that play to the outdoorsy and nostalgia markets are very conducive to special editions, and even if production isn’t set to start for about two years still, Scout Motors is already teasing special editions of the Terra and Traveler.

Still considered concepts since they might never actually be produced, the two most recent of these special editions are based on the upcoming SUV.

Indeed, the Traveler was treated to two new special variants, the Mountainside concept and the Trail-Ready concept, which were unveiled yesterday.

As its name implies, the Trail-Ready concept is a more rugged version of the Traveler that aims to showcase the off-roading abilities of the electric SUV.

To do so, it features aggressive 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires wrapped around black 18-inch beadlock wheels, full metal bumpers front and rear, an integrated front winch and rear tow hooks, rock rails, a rear mounted spare tire with integrated fuel caddy, and a roof rack with integrated trail lamps.

This concept also benefits from a canvas convertible roof that can open up the interior, a hallmark of the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

Speaking of the interior, the Traveler Trail-Ready concept features Brick Red leather accents on the dashboard, seats, and armrests, while most of the seats are covered in denim-inspired fabric, which is said to recall International Harvester’s agricultural roots.

Outside, this concept’s silver finish is intended to inspire solidity and ruggedness thanks to its similarity to raw metal.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Traveler Mountainside concept represents the more luxurious end of the spectrum for this electric SUV.

Scout Motors says this model is meant to recall the feeling of getting home at the end of a long day outdoors, being welcoming and refined.

To achieve that, this version of the Traveler eschews most of the Trail-Ready’s all-terrain equipment in favour of a cleaner design, which is highlighted by the dark grey Morning Dusk paint job.

This colour shifts from charcoal grey to deep brown and gold depending on the sunlight, making it evoke the last moments of the golden hour.

This paint finish is paired with anodized black 22-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof. The tires are also 35-inch units, but they are focused on pavement use rather than all-out off-road capabilities.

Inside, this model features light brown semi-aniline leather on the seat bolsters, the armrests, and the dashboard along with dark grey woven fabric covering most of the seats.

The metal speaker grilles show a unique grid pattern, the door panels and dashboard feature recycled walnut appliqués, while the ceiling and roof pillars are covered in a houndstooth patterned fabric.

Both of these concepts will be fully unveiled at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience held in Aspen, Colorado, from September 4^th to 6^th 2026.