Ideas for Scout Engineers

[midwestscout]

Hi Scout engineers,

Below are some ideas for standard or optional features:

-add rear bumper corner built-in steps to allow access to stepping up into the truck bed, similar to the Chevrolet Silverado/Colorado.
-include a digital key option to use a smartphone as a passive key for entering/locking the vehicle.
-pre-heat/pre-cool cabin remotely via smartphone app
-include 360 degree camera options on both Traveler and Terra models.
-include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as available options.
-heated/cooled/massaging seats
-excellent sound system with subwoofer
-flex-fuel capable for harvester electric/gas powertrain models
-include a drain plug in the front trunk for ice/beverages for camping/tailgating
-ensure the load capacity on both tailgate and suv tailgates can handle 2 adults sitting on them, say at least 500lbs.
-include an option for a plain-colored interior headliner fabric, I'm not a fan of the pattern shown on the reveal vehicle.
-allow an option for full-leather seats instead of the leather/fabric combination.
-include an option for at least hands-free driving if not both hands and eyes free driving.
-rain-sensing windshield wipers
-auto high/low headlight beams
-include 7 and 4 pin towing connections
-power sunshade on the glass roof option
-solid roof option for those that don't want either the retractable or glass roofs.
-allow Netflix, Amazon Prime, and others for playing tv shows and movies when parked.
-use Google maps
-have an option to use something like OnX for off-road trail maps
-matte black exterior color option
-matte black front and rear skid plate finish options
-relocate the household power outlets on the suv from the same area where the charge port is located to just inside the rear cargo area so that they are out of the weather in case it's raining.


Thank you for listening!

 

[Chaz26]

• Rain Sensing wipers are awesome in dizzle.

Just make sure it’s proper sensors for the rain sensing wipers and not a camera based system like Tesla that doesn’t work properly.

 

[Gator.man]

Hi Scout engineers,

Below are some ideas for standard or optional features:

-add rear bumper corner built-in steps to allow access to stepping up into the truck bed, similar to the Chevrolet Silverado/Colorado.
-include a digital key option to use a smartphone as a passive key for entering/locking the vehicle.
-pre-heat/pre-cool cabin remotely via smartphone app
-include 360 degree camera options on both Traveler and Terra models.
-include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as available options.
-heated/cooled/massaging seats
-excellent sound system with subwoofer
-flex-fuel capable for harvester electric/gas powertrain models
-include a drain plug in the front trunk for ice/beverages for camping/tailgating
-ensure the load capacity on both tailgate and suv tailgates can handle 2 adults sitting on them, say at least 500lbs.
-include an option for a plain-colored interior headliner fabric, I'm not a fan of the pattern shown on the reveal vehicle.
-allow an option for full-leather seats instead of the leather/fabric combination.
-include an option for at least hands-free driving if not both hands and eyes free driving.
-rain-sensing windshield wipers
-auto high/low headlight beams
-include 7 and 4 pin towing connections
-power sunshade on the glass roof option
-solid roof option for those that don't want either the retractable or glass roofs.
-allow Netflix, Amazon Prime, and others for playing tv shows and movies when parked.
-use Google maps
-have an option to use something like OnX for off-road trail maps
-matte black exterior color option
-matte black front and rear skid plate finish options
-relocate the household power outlets on the suv from the same area where the charge port is located to just inside the rear cargo area so that they are out of the weather in case it's raining.


Thank you for listening!

I’d like to second (or one-hundredth)
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as available options mentioned above. This is not available in my Tesla and I believe it is a huge miss. MANY drivers leverage Waze but can’t use the 17” screen in the Tesla to display it.

 

[mwagner5280]

1) The tailgate on the Terra needs to be flat to act as a table with cup holders. It'd be stellar if it could have a bit of cushion so as not to wreck your knees when climbing in and out. I think trying to make it a cutting board is a bit too far.

2) lots of discussion on the 35" tire spare for the Terra. If it's a swing out bumper, it needs to able to fit in a reasonable garage.

 

[Logan]

I’d like to second (or one-hundredth)
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as available options mentioned above. This is not available in my Tesla and I believe it is a huge miss. MANY drivers leverage Waze but can’t use the 17” screen in the Tesla to display it.

This one is a known thing. They are supporting it. They've mentioned it here on the forums, I believe its on their FAQ on their website, and the Apple Carplay icon was in their prototype dashboard in all the CES 2025 videos.

So pretty sure this one is happening at least.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Correct!

 

[mwagner5280]

1. There needs to be a lockbox option for the console. And, if you go with the bench seat option, it'd be cool if the middle seat had a 'trap door' where a few odds and ends could be stored (vs. stretching to open a glove box).

2. Please do whatever is necessary (and presumably industry best practice) to work with Decked, Leer, ARE, etc. to have drawer and cap systems available quickly for the Terra.

3. In bed (as in, below the bed rail) lighting options with a switch on or near the tailgate would be clutch. It doesn't need to light up the sky; just enough to help you find gear and is accessible when you're at the tailgate. Red or green LED light options would be great.

 

[J Alynn]

1. There needs to be a lockbox option for the console. And, if you go with the bench seat option, it'd be cool if the middle seat had a 'trap door' where a few odds and ends could be stored (vs. stretching to open a glove box).

2. Please do whatever is necessary (and presumably industry best practice) to work with Decked, Leer, ARE, etc. to have drawer and cap systems available quickly for the Terra.

3. In bed (as in, below the bed rail) lighting options with a switch on or near the tailgate would be clutch. It doesn't need to light up the sky; just enough to help you find gear and is accessible when you're at the tailgate. Red or green LED light options would be great.

 

[nolen]

Just make sure it’s proper sensors for the rain sensing wipers and not a camera based system like Tesla that doesn’t work properly.

and preferably adjustable sensitivity. My idea of when it needs to swipe might be different than the programmers/engineers and it will drive me crazy if I have to keep poking it when it should be automatic!

 

[nolen]

I just comment on the red X's I want:

• Auto headlights is a MUST for me (have in all 3 cars ATM)

I also want to know when the lights are on (not just when the brights are on). I don't always trust the auto lights to be on when i think they should be. And I want to know if my tail lights are on also - some sort of way to check from inside. I know I've mentioned it before, but I see so many people driving down the road with no tail lights but some minimal headlights on so they have no idea they are invisible from behind. I don't want to be that person

 

[Mousehunter]

solar has it's place, but it is limited in a vehicle. I did have solar on my truck for overlanding. I did not have huge batteries, and I wanted to keep a fridge running. Without looking it up, I guess the fridge used 50 watts of power (google of a similar fridge said 350 watts per day - so will use that). With a 100ah 12v battery, if you do not want to discharge below 50 percent - you might 2 days on that fridge (my batteries were dying, I got overnight). But at 3 days per kwh, and having a >150kwh battery. It looses it's importance. Discounting other parasitic draws of the vehicle - it could run that fridge over a year.

I recall Tesla's in long term storage bricking themselves. I can only assume that the car was near dead when it was parked, and the battery management system did not put the car to sleep to save the battery. But sure, a small solar panel might help then. As for adding range, we are dealing with roughly 2 miles per kwh. Maybe they can get 1kw of solar panels (in perfect conditions) on the roof - and at 5 peak hours a day, you might get 10 miles with a days charge. It really only helps when you get a lot more than 2 miles per kwh.

 

[TaconicBear]

Just make sure it’s proper sensors for the rain sensing wipers and not a camera based system like Tesla that doesn’t work properly.

Agreed, sorta. Yet, I still think I'm capable of assessing the condition of the windshield and flicking the little lever to make the wipers work. I like to drive, and that means controlling most of the parts of my vehicle. Sensors and computers are fine until they meet conditions that the designer-whiz folks never thought of. Ex: Radar that malfunctions as soon as a few snowflakes hit it. I want my EV Scout as close as possible to the KISS-built IH Scouts ('64='65='66) that sit in my garage. I have two Toyotas that will almost let me safely fall asleep at the wheel. That's NOT what Scouts are all about.

This morning's condition that I doubt the sensors would handle well: Light lake-effect squalls, 2-lane highway just wet at 22ºF, no need for wipers as the airstream at 55mph carries the flakes away. But every truck that goes by in the other direction produces a quick dousing of salty spray, and about half the times lots of sand in it. I can see it coming and start the wipers before it hits. And is the sensor going to make the decision to squirt lots of wiper fluid to float away the sand - minimizing scratched glass?

 

[Tyler88]

Someone mentioned before a camera rear view mirror, that is a great idea especially for the Traveller with the rear spare tire. Since driving a wrangler now with a rear mounted spare and the rear-view mirror I barely use since the tire blocks almost the whole view, but if it was a camera video it would be actually usable.

 

[TaconicBear]

Someone mentioned before a camera rear view mirror, that is a great idea especially for the Traveller with the rear spare tire. Since driving a wrangler now with a rear mounted spare and the rear-view mirror I barely use since the tire blocks almost the whole view, but if it was a camera video it would be actually usable.

Yes, these rear-view TVs are good. My Tundra has two rear view cameras, one on the tailgate and one just above the rear window. The latter functions as the regular rear view TV, plus it has a tab controlled alternative view to check on the contents of the pickup's cargo area. I really like the rear-view function because the camera's video amplifiers make the scene visible in very low light. And after dark, it does some magic to dim the bright spots of following headlights so that hi-beams on don't burn out your eyes, and you can still see the cars. Airflow in that one's location fortunately keeps it quite clean.

The rear view on the tailgate has several overlay guidelines for precision backing or parking, or positioning to a door, etc.

As much as I wish to keep the EV Scouts as simple as possible, unladen with the every suburban and off-road convenience listed in these threads, I put these two in the essential safety and precision driving category.

As mentioned before, I recall some Scout II models had a hinged license plate holder that dropped down when the tailgate was open. I wish that feature was applied to the tailgate camera. It would make precision positioning lots nicer than my current view of the ground and license plate when backing up with the tailgate down.

 

[Cchervenak]

Please consider a heated windshield and adding night vision, these are MUST-have features in the north/northeast. No other EV offers a heated windshield and it would make one hell of a stand out feature night vision also, that is a phenomenal safety feature for large animals, such as moose, whose eyes do not reflect from headlights.

 

[J Alynn]

Respectfully I’m part of the northeast and don’t have either .-just kidding but as long as it is an option and not in base price it would be good from your point of view.
Does anyone make a heated windshield? Having just spent nearly 2 hours driving in white out conditions in northern DE/southern PA I’m intrigued by heated windshield. The only tough part I see ifs the most vital spot of glass we look through is in the center of glass and I don’t want wiring in my primary view. Perimeter and down the center under mirror would work but how to heat center? Would be a cool part of a winter package for sure

 

[Cchervenak]

Respectfully I’m part of the northeast and don’t have either .-just kidding but as long as it is an option and not in base price it would be good from your point of view.
Does anyone make a heated windshield? Having just spent nearly 2 hours driving in white out conditions in northern DE/southern PA I’m intrigued by heated windshield. The only tough part I see ifs the most vital spot of glass we look through is in the center of glass and I don’t want wiring in my primary view. Perimeter and down the center under mirror would work but how to heat center? Would be a cool part of a winter package for sure

Currently they offer heated windshields on certain Porsche models, and it is an option on most Land Rover/Jaguar vehicles. It’s not the same heating elements that are found on the rear glass that have the huge black lines. It is a almost invisible strip that runs all throughout the windshield. Mercedes has been running it in their rear glass since about 2014.

 

[J Alynn]

Currently they offer heated windshields on certain Porsche models, and it is an option on most Land Rover/Jaguar vehicles. It’s not the same heating elements that are found on the rear glass that have the huge black lines. It is an almost invisible strip that runs all throughout the windshield. Mercedes has been running it in their rear glass since about 2014.

Again per my other thread response. The cars you are listing are all luxury vehicles. This is not intended to be luxury. Can one option it out to an upper level-sure. But will the majority-likely not. Mercedes also offers the nicest massage seats in a readily available U.S. vehicles along with Aroma therapy but I don’t see SM as that demographic.
This is a glorified “Jeep” like vehicle. Not a 4wd luxury vehicle.
Again-great idea but I don’t think this vehicle is the proper venue as a high or even moderate take rate.
I’ll leave it alone. Maybe other have opinions on one of the other threads I missed