Volkswagen’s Electric Pickup Is Set to Take On the U.S. Market in 2025—400 Miles of Range

Volkswagen’s Scout brand is set to make its debut this month
What will the pickup truck look like?

The American pickup truck market has long been dominated by brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram, with Toyota and Nissan also making significant inroads. However, more diverse options are on the horizon. Kia is preparing to launch its Tasman pickup truck, and GM is working on the electric O100. Now, a German automaker that has previously been quiet in the pickup truck segment is making a bold move—Volkswagen, through its revival of the Scout brand, is ready to enter the electric pickup and SUV market.

Though the Scout name hails from the U.S., this new iteration will be developed under Volkswagen’s leadership thanks to its roots with International Harvester. The Scout lineup is set to reflect an American design sensibility, and recently released virtual renderings of the Scout pickup truck have already started generating buzz.

Virtual Rendering Reveals the Future of Scout

On October 4, automotive virtual rendering specialist creator Q CARS revealed a rendering of the Volkswagen Scout pickup truck on its YouTube channel. Volkswagen had previously unveiled teaser images of the Scout SUV and pickup truck, but no prototypes had been captured. This rendering adds the Scout’s colors to the Amarok pickup truck that Volkswagen has been selling since 2010.

The original Scout, produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980, was a rugged vehicle known for its unique styling. The rendering of the new Scout pickup pays homage to the Scout 2, which debuted in 1971, with its bold rectangular grille and headlamp boxes. The new design features a modern twist with a ㄷ-shaped DRL and circular headlights, although the Volkswagen logo seen in the render may not appear on the production model.

Distinctive details enhance differentiation
Circular wheel arches are likely to be featured

The rendering echoes the Scout 2’s design language at the rear, with vertical taillights and a squared-off look that complements the front’s bold detailing. In the case of the tailgate, the Scout lettering is applied in large letters to emphasize its presence. In addition, the large all-terrain tires and high ground clearance also reveal the Scout’s characteristics that are optimized for off-road environments.

The diagonal detail on the corners of the second-row door windows appears to be an homage to the original Scout wagon specification. It adds a sense of speed to the pickup truck design that may seem somewhat stiff and matches well with the futuristic image unique to electric vehicles. However, the trapezoidal wheel arches are a trace of the Volkswagen Amarok, and the actual vehicle is expected to have circular wheel arches.

Challenging the American EV market
Scheduled to be first revealed on October 24

Volkswagen has been laying the groundwork for Scout’s return, filing multiple trademarks since establishing the brand in May 2022. The upcoming Scout lineup is expected to feature a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system with an 800V electric architecture. While official specs haven’t been confirmed, the base model is rumored to deliver around 300 horsepower, with a target range of 400 miles on a single charge.

The Scout pickup truck and SUV are set to debut on October 24, with sales expected to begin in 2025. As these vehicles are designed specifically for the U.S. market, production, and development will take place in the U.S., positioning the Scout for direct competition with iconic American models like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.