Scout Reveals 800 HP for Extended-Range Traveler as South Carolina Plant Nears Completion
Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh confirmed the extended-range Traveler SUV will produce 800 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, offering 500 miles of total range. The company’s $2 billion South Carolina plant is in its final construction phase, with validation vehicles now moving through assembly lines. Scout has secured 212,000 reservations, with 87% favoring the hybrid model, and aims to begin customer deliveries in 2028.
Key points
- The extended-range Traveler SUV will generate 800 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, according to CEO Scott Keogh.
- The vehicle offers 500 miles of total range, with approximately 150 miles of electric-only capability before the gas generator activates.
- Scout’s $2 billion Blythewood, South Carolina, plant is in its final construction phase and has begun producing validation vehicles.
- The company has recorded 212,000 reservations, with 87% choosing the extended-range model and 75% selecting the Traveler SUV.
- Production is scheduled to begin in late 2027, with customer deliveries starting in 2028.
Background
Scout Motors, a Volkswagen Group subsidiary reviving a historic American brand, initially planned to offer only all-electric vehicles. However, slower EV adoption and higher costs led to the introduction of extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). This follows a broader industry trend where manufacturers like BMW and Rivian are adjusting strategies to include hybrid or gas variants to maintain market competitiveness and manage production timelines.
How outlets are covering it
The Drive highlights the newly disclosed 800 horsepower figure as a key technical milestone, noting it was previously omitted from public specs. CNBC emphasizes the commercial momentum, citing 212,000 reservations and the strategic shift toward EREVs to capture market share from brands like Ford and Tesla. Car and Driver focuses on the manufacturing readiness, detailing the use of AI-supported robots for quality control in the body shop. WIS News 10 underscores the local economic impact, noting 900 current hires and a goal of 4,000 jobs, while highlighting the plant’s potential to produce 960 vehicles daily.
Why it matters
The disclosure of specific powertrain metrics validates Scout’s technical claims and addresses skepticism regarding its hybrid strategy. The near-completion of a major $2 billion manufacturing facility signals a significant commitment to domestic production, potentially influencing the competitive landscape for midsize SUVs and pickups in the late 2020s.
What to watch
Scout will continue validation testing through 2027, refining production processes before full-scale manufacturing begins. The company aims to convert its reservation base into actual sales, targeting an order book of 12 to 18 months before production starts. Customer deliveries are expected to commence in 2028, with initial models likely being the mid-level EREVs.
- Scout’s Gas-Backed Traveler SUV Will Make 800 HP, Its CEO Told Us The Drive
- Scout Motors has 212,000 vehicle reservations as $2 billion South Carolina plant nears completion CNBC
- Scout Has Started Building Real Trucks and SUVs at Its New Factory Ahead of Next Year’s Launch Car and Driver
- Scout Motors offers look inside Blythewood plant as construction nears final stage WIS News 10
- Inside the 5 million-square-foot plant where VW is reviving Scout brand The Business Journals
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Drive