Time to give up the frunk (if you want the Harvester engine)...

[drwing]

Assuming the tire is a 35" (for reference to scale). An engine AND generator is going to fit here...?

There isn't going to be a spare under the bed. Could be something like an optional and removable spare on a swing like the Traveler.

I've used a spare one time in thirty years of driving. Don't need it. Total waste of space and added weight.

 

[drwing]

They should supercharge it rather than turbo. Supercharging would do better in a generator application. But again, the Harvester was an afterthought. Scout was going to be BEV only until someone figured out going into the woods or desert needs gasoline. I doubt they have the engineering budget to do a cleansheet design.

Supercharger is an interesting idea. I don't think it will be necessary though. Without a turbo a transverse mounted 2.0L TSI is around 215 HP. When tuned for EREV applications 10-20% higher output is very possible. That's 240-260 HP

VW has the budget. This is bigger than just Scout. VW needs to compete for growing EREV market share in China and elsewhere. EA888 is a "global engine" that was designed for modularity and tunability.

 

[cvollers]

I'm a retired engineer - all the best engineers I saw through my career were the ones that could consider a new idea that conflicted with their current design, pivot, and redesign to make a better product (especially prior to production!)

That being said, Scout needs to embrace change once more. They started with an all-electric design and added a range extender to satisfy customer demand. They need to pivot again and place the range extender under the hood and reduce the two complex electric drive systems (BEV and EREV) to one. Use one battery pack for either system, increasing quantity and hopefully quality.

It solves so many issues/questions (don't you think?) Heat; access; engine choice; towing capability...

Fire away if you'd prefer to stick with the current proposed design...

There is only one drive system now for both. The EREV engine is not part of the drive system, it’s a generator to charge the battery.

 

[cvollers]

I still say the engine/generator will end up in the front. I do not see how a 4-cylinder engine that needs to make at least 250 HP, with a generator attached to it, will fit in the small space between the rear axle and bumper. So, I agree with you, putting the engine/generator up front avoids serious engineering challenges that will be very expensive to solve.

Let’s not assume Scout is making public statements without first doing the necessary engineering due diligence. If we go down that rabbit hole, we need to question everything about Scout.

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

Maybe I'm an old knuckle-dragger, but I really don't understand the "ride or die" attitude with frunks... It's something that didn't exist 10 years ago, but has somehow become a necessity (on a truck of all things). It's a truck, with this thing called a "bed."

A series hybrid with the engine up front seems to fix a lot of the issues like cooling, access, protection from debris, and towing capacity. I would 100% give up one (perceived) gimmicky feature for a different (perceived) gimmicky feature. For me, the extended range and/or ability to fill up on a jerry can from anywhere is waaay more important than an extra storage compartment for...?

Maybe I'm a rare breed that wants to start embracing the future of energy technologies, but still wants a truck to do "truck things" rather than a glorified golf cart.

Have to agree here. Plus, if the motor goes up front, the hood should hinge at the front… just sayin’

 

[joewilk45]

Why cannot the Erev engine be anchored on rails / Unistrut like old Porsche air cooled engines were when serviced put car on lift and disconnect wiring etc. and unbolted rails and drop whole engine assembly for maintenance ???

 

[joewilk45]

Anyone who has had children or owned a company are engineers

 

[drwing]

Why cannot the Erev engine be anchored on rails / Unistrut like old Porsche air cooled engines were when serviced put car on lift and disconnect wiring etc. and unbolted rails and drop whole engine assembly for maintenance ???

This is likely going to be the case just from the standpoint of where the engine mounts and frame are in relation to each other. User serviceability is also a priority. Scout Motors Strategy Director Ryan Decker discussed this in an interview with The Drive in January. The engine shouldn't require much maintenance if the vehicle is used as intended (mostly EV mode). It will run infrequently and won't experience high RPMs or temps.

 

[endlessambition]

My firm opinion is Scout isn’t going to change the location of the engine. Sorry ya’ll.
Here is my opinions of why they won’t do that.

1. The Harvester was already an afterthought as they adjusted to market demand & changing political winds. Going back on something that was such a big part of the launch (saving the frunk space) makes them look silly….like everything is an afterthought & they have no identity.

2. Many enthusiasts believe that towing is the end-all-be all here. It just isn’t for most people. The gain of net customers by having 500 miles of range, being able to fill up with gas instead of finding a charger, all while adding 11-14 cubic feet of additional frunk space will bring in waaay more customers than being able to tow 10,000 lbs with the Harvester model. Having it all would be amazing. But just isn’t so.

3. Towing just isn’t Scouts shtick. That’s Ram Charger. If you want incredible towing capability, then look to the ram charger. The scout Terra and traveler are not going after that market.

 

[Chuckles]

My firm opinion is Scout isn’t going to change the location of the engine. Sorry ya’ll.
Here is my opinions of why they won’t do that.

1. The Harvester was already an afterthought as they adjusted to market demand & changing political winds. Going back on something that was such a big part of the launch (saving the frunk space) makes them look silly….like everything is an afterthought & they have no identity.

2. Many enthusiasts believe that towing is the end-all-be all here. It just isn’t for most people. The gain of net customers by having 500 miles of range, being able to fill up with gas instead of finding a charger, all while adding 11-14 cubic feet of additional frunk space will bring in waaay more customers than being able to tow 10,000 lbs with the Harvester model. Having it all would be amazing. But just isn’t so.

3. Towing just isn’t Scouts shtick. That’s Ram Charger. If you want incredible towing capability, then look to the ram charger. The scout Terra and traveler are not going after that market.

Good points, especially #2. Ramcharger has now been delayed to Q1 2026 too.

 

[lunterhow]

My firm opinion is Scout isn’t going to change the location of the engine. Sorry ya’ll.
Here is my opinions of why they won’t do that.

1. The Harvester was already an afterthought as they adjusted to market demand & changing political winds. Going back on something that was such a big part of the launch (saving the frunk space) makes them look silly….like everything is an afterthought & they have no identity.

2. Many enthusiasts believe that towing is the end-all-be all here. It just isn’t for most people. The gain of net customers by having 500 miles of range, being able to fill up with gas instead of finding a charger, all while adding 11-14 cubic feet of additional frunk space will bring in waaay more customers than being able to tow 10,000 lbs with the Harvester model. Having it all would be amazing. But just isn’t so.

3. Towing just isn’t Scouts shtick. That’s Ram Charger. If you want incredible towing capability, then look to the ram charger. The scout Terra and traveler are not going after that market.

Completely agree with all of this!

 

[joewilk45]

Well look at it this way we all ponied up 100 bucks to get a seat at the table. Once the dealer deals us our cards and we see what we're dealt we can fold or stay in. Till that time us old guys will take our pills walk our dogs and hope for Scout to deliver.. The blueprints are done now let's bring the dream to life and see the iconic Scout back on the roads not in the windows.

 

[GulfBlue911]

I genuinely love how passionate everyone is here about a vehicle that hasn’t been released yet. Good thing Scout didn’t ask us to cough up $200.

OP should change the title of this thread to: 5+ pages of damn good reasons you should not get a Harvester.

 

[Pogeegitz]

My firm opinion is Scout isn’t going to change the location of the engine. Sorry ya’ll.
Here is my opinions of why they won’t do that.

1. The Harvester was already an afterthought as they adjusted to market demand & changing political winds. Going back on something that was such a big part of the launch (saving the frunk space) makes them look silly….like everything is an afterthought & they have no identity.

2. Many enthusiasts believe that towing is the end-all-be all here. It just isn’t for most people. The gain of net customers by having 500 miles of range, being able to fill up with gas instead of finding a charger, all while adding 11-14 cubic feet of additional frunk space will bring in waaay more customers than being able to tow 10,000 lbs with the Harvester model. Having it all would be amazing. But just isn’t so.

3. Towing just isn’t Scouts shtick. That’s Ram Charger. If you want incredible towing capability, then look to the ram charger. The scout Terra and traveler are not going after that market.

1. Stubbornness in the face of customer feedback also isn't a good look.

2. The point of this original thread was giving up the frunk if you want the Harvester. No one is asking for everything without compromise. Pick two: Harvester, Frunk, towing capacity. Scout decided to give up towing capacity to preserve the frunk. Some of us disagree with that and would gladly give up a frunk for being able to tow a medium-sized camper or boat.

3. We're not asking for "incredible" towing capacity, but reasonable for a full size truck. As-is the Harvester would only beat my Maverick's towing capacity by 1000 lbs, which sounds ridiculous for a truck expected to be ~2000 lbs heavier.

 

[GulfBlue911]

1. Stubbornness in the face of customer feedback also isn't a good look.

So you’re implying the mass consumers decided towing is the priority for an EV truck? And Scout delivering anything short of that makes them stubborn?

if you want to tow, get a diesel truck. I could personally care less if this thing will tow my kid’s tricycle. Give me a frunk that I’ll use 99.9999999999% more than I’ll ever need to tow.