Terra - 10 Pleas and Desired Options

[DCH]

I have had well over 50 vehicles in the last 50+ years from classics to supercars and I have built, rebuilt, or restored most of them with maybe ¼ being factory new. I have also owned a start-up automobile company that almost made it through the prototype stage with an AMG powered supercar before folding. We had intentions to race a homologated class at Le Mans and even started development of an EV version around 2010. I understand much of what it takes to get a vehicle through the gamut of development including NHTSA, FMVSS, and the EPA and it can break many start-ups. Airbag development alone is insanely expensive and time consuming. Then there is crash testing; virtual and physical models. It never seems to end. So, it is wonderful to see a group of enthusiasts with the backing necessary to succeed. I am really looking forward to the Scout brand and the vision they have.

That said, I have a few suggestions that I hope make it into production.

• The vision, innovations, and styling are on point. Please do not change the prototype so much that it is not recognizable. Ram did this with their EV and it turned into a massive disappointment. The Terra and Traveler are nearly perfect in their current form. The overwhelming positive comments and reviews should be enough feedback to prove these will be winners. In my opinion, refinement rather than change will be the key to success for these models.
• Please find a way to increase the Terra Harvester towing capacity to that of a normal full-sized truck. I canceled my RamCharger and reserved the Scout last November because it had so much more. The Scout originally boasted a 10,000 lb towing capability, but today I saw that towing for the Harvester option reduced it by ½ to only 5,000 lbs. The mid-sized Canyon and Ranger even have more capacity. Extremely sad news for many of us needing towing capacity. This will most likely push me back to the RamCharger. I can only hope this changes for production.
• Since Scout is pulling from VW technologies, an option for electrochromic smart glass to replace the visors for the top of the windshield and top of the side door glass would be a great innovation; 4 controlled areas from the driver's side (driver/passenger windshield/door glass) and passenger areas controlled by the passenger (and rear passenger controls would be a nice option). Additionally, having the ability to make all windows opaque when the vehicle is parked and locked would be a nice anti-theft feature. It would also help protect the interior from UV and keep it a bit cooler when parked in direct sunlight.
• If smart glass is not possible, optional infrared-reflective laminated glass on all windows would be great to reduce heat gain, UV degradation, and help with noise reduction. Corning’s Gorilla Glass for windshield and side glass would be fantastic.
• Please allow the optional 35" wheel to fit in the underbody spare location. Carrying it in the bed is not a desirable option due to UV degradation, theft, and loss of cargo capacity. That said, bed tie-downs for dual spares would be a great feature or option (as well as for fuel canisters).
• An optional digital rearview mirror that would adjust with the seat memory presets would be a nice feature (additionally, the head-up display should adjust with seat presets).
• I like the upper track seen in the Terra bed but, on many occasions, I have required lower tie-down points. Continuing the track near the bed floor would be ideal and making it a strong mount would be appreciated. My F150 tie points are nearly worthless for anything but light loads.
• It would be great to have a pass-through from the bed into the front trunk if it is possible with a body-on-frame design and if the drop rear window does not interfere. The ability to carry some pieces of longer lumber (or other material) without having to worry about legal overhang limits or needing a trailer for small runs would be appreciated.
• I use my current truck to travel. I am 6’-3 and it would be a wonderful feature to be able to sleep comfortably in the cab. In-cab Meraki-style hammock mounting points at 4 corners would also be a great option.
• An option to cool the front trunk would be great when carrying groceries or other items that need to remain cool on a hot day.

Thank you for reading.

 

[vrgruver]

I really like #3, #5, and #10. 5 and 10 shouldn't cost much. 3 will push the price. Scout is targeted for rugged more than comfort like an expensive Rivian. They may have different trims as time goes on to appeal to the option hungry orders.
Thanks for sharing your ideas DCH.

 

[SteveG]

The suggested options and improvements are really getting out of hand. Personally I'd like a simple tactile, analog, rugged Scout focused on performance over luxury that I can actually afford. If I recall, the original price target was in the $40K range. We're now up into the $60K range. I have to think that when experienced auto folks proposed the $40K range they had to believe it was attainable, especially as other makers have built credible EVs in that range. Maybe the plan is to bring in more capital selling high profit high content luxo Scouts to start and eventually build one more like I suggest. Of course, inflation will raise the price of those as well. I'm not getting any younger....or richer.

 

[Pickles85]

the towing numbers on the harvester is really disappointing and might as well get a Ford Maverick because its the same. We all know that towing drastically reduces range and that was the whole point of getting the harvester option but its has the towing capacity of a minivan. That leaves the Ram Charger as the only option because it can actually tow and is rated for 14,000 lbs.

 

[DCH]

The beauty is that they are options. Choose them or don't. Some companies launch with a base model and some launch with the top of the line all options on board. Options are what keep many companies profitable. A typical base model may make ~10% profit for a manufacturer, but options can bring well over 50%. And when you add 2/3 more cost for those wanting a fully optioned vehicle, those sales help keep the cost of the base models lower. Besides, options help spawn innovation and many times options are so popular that manufacturers include them in following model years at no additional charge.

 

[Nice Dawg]

I like alot of the suggestions, however, the electrochromatic items have killed the range on the ID Buzz, like in half, so for that reason, I am out on that as an option. I DO like the infrared reflective glass is a big YES for me. Improved towing would be great. Thanks much

 

[AJ Lee]

the towing numbers on the harvester is really disappointing and might as well get a Ford Maverick because its the same. We all know that towing drastically reduces range and that was the whole point of getting the harvester option but its has the towing capacity of a minivan. That leaves the Ram Charger as the only option because it can actually tow and is rated for 14,000 lbs.

I agree . I have had two powerboost f150. The Harvester would have been my next truck if it would have a 10k tow rating and a decent combo range. My powerboost can haul a 11k toy hauler and go almost 200miles between fuel stops. VW you need to get close… a turbo 4 should be able to do that Under the bed

 

[Pickles85]

I agree . I have had two powerboost f150. The Harvester would have been my next truck if it would have a 10k tow rating and a decent combo range. My powerboost can haul a 11k toy hauler and go almost 200miles between fuel stops. VW you need to get close… a turbo 4 should be able to do that Under the bed

Its most likely due to the poor placement of the gas engine they its looks like they are placing it behind the axle. I fully expected to lose the frunk on the harvester models and was ok with that. Good news is they still have time to course correct from what I feel like is a fatal mistake. It is really boggling that they would offer a range extender that cant tow considering that towing really decreases the range.

 

[tragicmonkey049]

If the Terra Harvester cannot tow 10K I won't buy it. I can tow 8K with my Rivian R1S. Range isn't great, but most of the places I go have DCFC where I need it. I'm just going to sit here with my reservation and see what happens.

I am torn about all these options people are proposing, because I believe Scout will build and sell the top trims first, like Tesla and Rivian did, then the lower trims will come later. So for me to get a simple, no-frills Terra Harvester in the $60K or less range, I'll be waiting even longer...

The trouble is that the first time I see someone else in my town driving a Scout Terra, I'll crack and switch to the higher-priced one with the electrochromic air freshener, digital coat hangars, motorized bavit snaps, and other stuff I don't need.

But if it will tow 10K for 250 miles nonstop, I'll act like it was the smartest investment in history and I'll expect my family to treat me as if I invented a machine that turns farts into gold.

 

[colinnwn]

We are still getting conflicting info on EREV towing capacity. I saw the quick blurb from Scott on Jay's garage that it might be reduced to 5k, but people who have asked Scout PR they have declined to confirm that and just say details aren't final but towing was expected to be 7/10k. Has there been any other primary source info that has changed?

I suspect that if it is reduced that it's still capable of towing the original 7/10k but if the battery is getting low the generator wouldn't be able to keep up on the uphill run required by SAE J2807 without the derating.