Jay Leno drives Scout Hybrid Harvester - Towing Capacity, Gas Fuel Tank Capacity, More Specs Revealed

[WD.]

As a previous owner of a Lightning, I am totally on board for electric and the Harvester seems un-necessarily complicated for "peace of mind." It's not surprising at all that hanging a small four cylinder gas engine over the back axle will dramatically decrease towing performance. Couple all of that with the always present sound in the video? It will be interesting to see how many Harvester reservations convert to orders. Meanwhile, if you are realistic about how most of us use a vehicle, the electric does everything better silently. The 150 mile range quoted in the video was for the Harvester in "electric only" mode, not for the BEV.

The awful sound in the video is just whatever electric drive train and gearbox Scout thew together for the prototype just to be able to move it around on it's own without having to push it everywhere for events. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they had a small golf cart motor or something similar in it. It also definitely didn't actually have a harvester engine in that one even though it was the "Harvester" Traveler. I'm sure they have millions into the couple of prototypes they currently have (Scott even made a comment to Jay that it's probably the most expensive vehicle Jay has ever driven. And knowing what Jay's car collection is like and some of the vehicles he's driven Scout must have some serious money into those) so the goal is to keep costs down on them as much as possible. Eventually once the factory starts going online and they get close to being able to start production they will make a couple pre-production models with the actual drive train and E-beam axles in them. If those versions still sound like this one then I would worry, but for the one Jay drove around at 15mph on a tarmac, I wouldn't pay any attention to what it sounded like or even how it appeared to drive or handle. That's why Jay had to comment about a dozen times that it's just a prototype and not at all what the final product will sound like. The Harvester version should be as quiet as the full electric version and as quiet as any other electric vehicle on the market these days. The only real question is going to be what that little 4 cylinder is going to sound like when it kicks on and runs. Like Scott said in the video with it being so small and tucked away in the back the driver shouldn't even notice it running. However what he didn't mention was how it would sound to the rear seat passengers, people driving behind it or next to it with their windows down. That I'm sure will be a different story but will probably won't be any more noticeable than any other little 4 cylinder car out there on the road today.

 

[smboogie]

The drop in towing capacity with Harvester is not shocking, maybe production numbers will be different but just look at the towing range of EV's, spoiler it's bad.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

We don't know what we don't know.
I don't know what I just said.

Numbers will be much better when the vehicles hit the virtual showroom Floor.

 

[bartman]

Did you not read the many comments above ?

I read the first page of comments before I commented. It's awesome that you really cared enough to comment on my comment! You're awesome!

 

[TwoJacks]

The drop in towing capacity with Harvester is not shocking, maybe production numbers will be different but just look at the towing range of EV's, spoiler it's bad.

But towing range is halved for ICE cars as well, and many ICE trucks will struggle to get much more than 200 miles while towing. (Not diesels). A Rivian with 420 miles range can sometimes get close to 200 now. Of course charging times and locations are the main difference even if range between the two is close. 5,000 isn’t enough for my needs so it’s either the BEV or stick with a Rivian max. Even if 5000 is enough, towing range on the 150 battery would be 75 miles, and if the EREV kicks in at 50% while towing, that means a whopping 40 miles or so before you’re just another ICE gas guzzler with a lousy towing capacity. If the Harvester is mainly for those that tow, it’s not looking like a great solution. The harvester honestly is starting to look like something that will die within five years as batteries and charging improve, or at least as those things improve everywhere else but the US.

 

[NukeDukem]

But towing range is halved for ICE cars as well, and many ICE trucks will struggle to get much more than 200 miles while towing. (Not diesels). A Rivian with 420 miles range can sometimes get close to 200 now. Of course charging times and locations are the main difference even if range between the two is close. 5,000 isn’t enough for my needs so it’s either the BEV or stick with a Rivian max. Even if 5000 is enough, towing range on the 150 battery would be 75 miles, and if the EREV kicks in at 50% while towing, that means a whopping 40 miles or so before you’re just another ICE gas guzzler with a lousy towing capacity. If the Harvester is mainly for those that tow, it’s not looking like a great solution. The harvester honestly is starting to look like something that will die within five years as batteries and charging improve, or at least as those things improve everywhere else but the US.

It does seem that way doesn’t it? But, hybrids of any kind are all the rage now. I think it’s just a fad. I also reserved the battery-only version once I found out about the disappointing range for the batteries in the Harvester model. I also feel the range of the BEV model will be shorter than the competition once deliveries start.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

It does seem that way doesn’t it? But, hybrids of any kind are all the rage now. I think it’s just a fad. I also reserved the battery-only version once I found out about the disappointing range for the batteries in the Harvester model. I also feel the range of the BEV model will be shorter than the competition once deliveries start.

Yeah, so true.
As the blush of the Harvester wears off, prices get announced, we realize what will sensibly fit our needs and wants,,

 

[Mousehunter]

Jamie has responded in another forum on this - the towing capacity for the Harvester is not set in stone yet.

Several limitations may be coming into play giving it the 5k limit. Towing is a lot more load on the system. One one side, the smaller battery and different chemistry might not be able to handle the increased load - period. In which case the Harvester is not the limiting factor, it is the combination of compromises to keep the Harvester option priced competitively.

The other factor is the size of the Harvester. Driving at a "Steady State" at 70mph is a design goal. It allows cruising at 70mph with no net discharge on the batteries (essentially it almost allows for driving on only gas - it will probably eat a little electricity accelerating, and charge a little on regen braking). The Harvester will not provide this towing a heavy load - it would most certainly require a combination of depleting the battery charge and the gas tank. Perhaps, as we get further down the development road, they will give us separate tow ratings for EV only (with the Harvester package), hybrid, and gas. That said, I understand that people who tow want to tow gas only - and without a major design change (larger Harvester), this simply will not be possible with heavier loads (and honestly, not even sure it is possible with a trailer and any load - depending on the load they calculate the "Steady State" at).
---
I have a reservation for a BEV. It is a rough decision for me. It is not entirely uncommon for me to have to give my wife my F250 for a day, or a week for her to tow her toys (horses). During those periods - My other tow options (IMHO) suck. I can do short, light tows - but even longer light tows are absolutely no fun. I want an SUV EV - but still hate the weeks I don't have access to my F250. When I thought the Harvester could tow 10k, and get a reasonable range while doing it - well, I could still tow 90% of my stuff if my wife had to borrow my truck - or she could tow the horses with the Scout. At 5k - it's not towing even our light horse trailer. That trailer, while aluminum, is still about 3500lbs dry. Add a horse - and she would be hitting 5k. Now maybe (just), at the end of the day she could stretch it for short tows - but if it is short tows, the EV would work just fine anyway. So honestly, while numbers are subject to change - the 5k tow limit on the Harvester just reconfirms my first decision. Get a second real truck to do truck work IF I have to, and not ask the Scout to do stuff it is not designed to do. Of course, numbers are still subject to change - I still hope the BEV Scout will have the necessary range to do light towing for me (say 200+ miles towing a lawn mower (abet a damn heavy lawn mower), or light boat (I understand the boat would require a recharge - as that trip is an extra 70 miles).

I guess some of my decision will also be based on the state of charger infrastructure in 3 years. Right now - my most common tow path has -0-, zip, nada, Tesla superchargers (and I really don't know the level of the few other chargers - the Telsa are V2's so will not be compatible anyway). That said, still have my truck (if my wife is not borrowing it). Lost 2 weeks of truck use this month so far - that really sucked... Sick horse.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Is the Tesla Semi still powered by the same motors found in the Tesla Model S?

 

[Pogeegitz]

Alright, so here's the deal: under 10,000 pounds of towing? Seriously? That's, like, ancient history. 7,500? Okay, maybe we can work with that. But 5,000? Come on! That's basically Explorer, 4Runner, Telluride numbers. I'm totally scratching my head because I reserved the Terra Harvester, and I figured it'd tow like a truck, not some SUV/crossover thing. Now I'm thinking, forget the range, I'm going full electric just to get some decent towing power.

Right?! My 4 cylinder Maverick can tow 5000 lbs. This is super disappointing news.

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

Right?! My 4 cylinder Maverick can tow 5000 lbs. This is super disappointing news.

That’ll change. We are still 2 years away.

 

[ygrignon]

RAM Charger will show Scout how it’s done

 

[NukeDukem]

RAM Charger will show Scout how it’s done

I sure hope not. I don’t want a low-quality vehicle at a high price thank you.

 

[maynard]

Summary of Performance Figures, Performance Metrics, and Technical Specs:

• **? Acceleration:
  • 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds (all-electric mode)
  • 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds (with range extender)
• **? Electric Range:
  • Pure EV range: 150 miles
  • Combined range with gas extender: 500+ miles
• **? Torque:
  • Up to 1,000 lb-ft of torque, providing significant power and towing capability
• ** Gasoline Range Extender:
  • High-output four-cylinder engine located on the rear axle
  • 15-gallon fuel tank capacity
  • Operates automatically or manually (EV, hybrid, heavy-duty towing modes)
• **? Towing and Payload Capacity:
  • Pure EV truck: 10,000 lbs towing, 2,000 lbs payload
  • SUV version: 7,000 lbs towing
  • Hybrid mode: Up to 5,000 lbs towing for both models
• **? Technical and Structural Features:
  • Body-on-frame construction (blend of steel and aluminum)
  • Solid rear axle for durability and torque delivery
  • 800-volt architecture (supports fast charging)
  • Dual electric motors (front and rear) for AWD capability
• **? Battery Types:
  • Main EV battery: Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC)
  • Range extender battery: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) for durability and cost-efficiency
• **? Off-Road and Utility:
  • Disconnectable sway bars and electronic lockers for enhanced off-road performance
  • Adjustable air suspension (optional) for ground clearance optimization
  • Gradeability: 100% (suitable for steep terrain)
• ** Charging and Power Supply:
  • Fast charging capability: Up to 350 kW
  • Vehicle serves as a power generator with 120V and 240V outlets (ideal for worksites and campsites)
• **? Additional Driving Modes:
  • EV-only mode for short commutes
  • Hybrid mode for optimized efficiency
  • Heavy-duty mode for towing and demanding tasks
• **? Braking System:
  • Four-wheel disc brakes for reliable stopping power
• **? Production and Release:
  • Manufacturing plant in Columbia, South Carolina
  • Production start date: 2027 model year
  • Plant capacity: 4,000 employees and scalable assembly lines

___________________________




Description:

Join Jay Leno for an exclusive first look at a revolutionary new prototype that blends classic American muscle with cutting-edge electric technology. In this episode, Jay dives deep into the all-new Hybrid Scout—a vehicle that revives the iconic International Scout with a futuristic twist. Discover how its innovative range extender, 800-volt architecture, and off-road capabilities deliver blistering performance (0-60 in under 4 seconds!) while still honoring its nostalgic roots.

Highlights include:
• Dual power modes: Pure EV, Hybrid, and Heavy-Duty for towing
• Smart engineering built right here in the USA
• A behind‑the‑scenes look at how classic design meets modern tech

This video builds even more excitement for me (didn't think that was possible)...

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

Whats interesting is all the shiny stats are for the BEV. Towing, 0-60 etc.

Harvester might be slower and less able, but can limp along for a more miles. Its a bad compromise IMO.

I sincerely hope they rethink this approach. Just make the harvester more expensive, Even a 20K increase would justify 10K payload and a 0-60 more in line with what is expected (around 3 seconds is getting typical in the EV industry at this price point).