What kind of tech do you expect enabled in the car or interface?

[TaconicBear]

If you are considering "Drowsy Driver Alerts", please, please include a way to adjust the sensitivity or to selectively turn it off! Our Jeep Cherokee has this feature where it alerts via chime and an on-dash error telling the driver to place hands on steering wheel, even though our hands are on the steering wheel and we aren't drowsy. It seems to happen more when it's cold or when you are on a very long stretch of straight road. We figured out that it's tied to lane assist and if we turn off lane assist that annoying place hands on steering wheel alert stops. Jeep did not include any way to change the sensitivity or turn that feature off without also turning off lane assist.

Our '23 Tundra Limited acts the same way; partly because I have a very relaxed grip on the wheel; but on a straight, smooth, and well marked road I have had "lane-centering-assist" go close to a mile in a true hands-off test. I believe I have it figured out; the following is from my own empirical testing. When in "lane-centering" mode the hands-free sensor tests for rotational resistance. In those long straight stretches it is not adjusting the wheel direction nor turning the steering wheel, so the rotational resistance is not tested. On curvy or uneven roads it tests and adjusts almost continuously, so it needs to feel that rotational resistance from your fingers.

I also find "lane-centering-assist" is very sensitive to lighting conditions. Low angle sun in forested areas which makes zebra shadows across the road confuses it completely. In places where long cracks in the road surface are filled with tar, it will sometimes choose to follow them rather than the painted stripe, etc. It will follow lines that are so worn I can barely see them, but add a few pothole patches to clear lines and it gives up. It works absolutely best in the pitch black middle of the night. Now that I have figured it out I call it a useful and friendly assistant, but un-trustworthy. I can live happily with it or without it.

 

[wheelsee]

It's not a "cheap out" issue. The issue is capacitance wheels can easily be fooled into thinking you are touching the wheel when you are not. Torque sensor have a similar problem in that you can use a weight to fool them, but that is something that usually has to be taken on and off, wherease a capacitative film can just be placed on a wheel and left forever.

Re-read the post I replied to...his vehicle has a capacitive touch steering wheel that is NOT registering touch, hence the "Jeep cheaping out"

 

[eightOne]

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Jeep cheaped out on something.

Stellantis across the board, most likely. My Pacifica does the same thing when I have a loose grip or just keeping it steady by holding the wheel at 8 o'clock. The most annoying part is when it whines while I'm actively turning the vehicle.

 

[robothero]

This happened on our old Subaru all the time... on the highway death gripping the wheel and its still giving me warnings about hands on the wheel because I'm not jiggling it.

 

[Rampy]

Stellantis across the board, most likely. My Pacifica does the same thing when I have a loose grip or just keeping it steady by holding the wheel at 8 o'clock. The most annoying part is when it whines while I'm actively turning the vehicle.

Stellantis Owns 14 car brands, almost all of them are European & their HQ is in Amsterdam

Stellantis Is a perfect example of you will take what we give you and enjoy it

We had problems with our Charger SRT almost constantly & it got harder and harder dealing with Dodge on warranty issues as the dealer had to get authorization & that went from overnight to a month & was told nope….even when it was in dodge’s own sale brochures & a selling point

 

[JoeG]

If there is to be lane keeping, I’m hoping it would be hands free with eye tracking but if not, I’d definitely prefer a capacitive touch wheel rather than a torque based one that you have to keep moving periodically.

This! Steering wheel nag is the most annoying thing I've ever experienced. It would take so much motion and jiggling to get our old Tesla to register our touch. As far as I know no company has done a capacitive touch based nag, but that would be so much preferable.

 

[LastDayScout]

This! Steering wheel nag is the most annoying thing I've ever experienced. It would take so much motion and jiggling to get our old Tesla to register our touch. As far as I know no company has done a capacitive touch based nag, but that would be so much preferable.

BMW iX has capacitive steering wheel. It is so much better than the Tesla system.

 

[Mihenry]

For me, it’s nothing short of a fully integrated CarPlay and phone as a key capabilities.

Naturally a Scout Mobile app with on demand data.

 

[eightOne]

Here’s one, don’t pay wall my truck. It’s a one time payment for features. Subscriptions are limited to services

 

[pleasant tree]

I agree with most of these suggestions, but I would say that most important of all the tech added would be a solid state battery that would significantly increase the range from 400 miles stated to 600 to 800, battery life from 200,000 miles to over 500,000 with little degradation. Towing ability that does not significantly affect range, battery that does not burn, ability to charge to 80% in less than 15 minutes, and is not as heavy.

 

[Mihenry]

Here’s one, don’t pay wall my truck. It’s a one time payment for features. Subscriptions are limited to services

This Right Here… BMW doing that with heated seats is a joke.

However, hearing the Scout CEO say “we aren’t their product” though related to capturing user data *cough* Google *cough*. I hope the pay wall and micro transactions aren’t part of the plans.

 

[Moates442]

Please keep it simple. I think Hyundai/Kia do a really good job at this. I just rented a 4 series convertible, and it was seamless, intuitive, and so easy to use. I hope you guys are driving other vehicles (including those within the VW group) to see what works best. Please don't overthink it or put something in there "just because". Not to irk people, but are they asking for wants or needs? Remember, all this stuff is great, until it breaks. Under warranty ok, but out of warranty is where is gets expensive.

 

[Mihenry]

Please keep it simple. I think Hyundai/Kia do a really good job at this. I just rented a 4 series convertible, and it was seamless, intuitive, and so easy to use. I hope you guys are driving other vehicles (including those within the VW group) to see what works best. Please don't overthink it or put something in there "just because". Not to irk people, but are they asking for wants or needs? Remember, all this stuff is great, until it breaks. Under warranty ok, but out of warranty is where is gets expensive.

I get what you’re saying, but that’s where options come into play. Those who want the basic, I’m sure that’s a starting point. But in 2027, I personally am expecting more.

I made that mistake on my first Jeep GC, it took purchase two more models to get those features I skipped out on initially.

IMO an EV should be tech forward and from the announcement, Scout’s approach appears to be the best of both worlds.

 

[TaconicBear]

BMW iX has capacitive steering wheel. It is so much better than the Tesla system.

How does the capacitive steering wheel sensor react to non-skin touch -- like fuzzy mittens, leather gloves, synthetic knits, etc. Do you need the kind of "cell phone friendly" gloves with special finger tips to make it work (and the touch screen too)?

 

[TaconicBear]

For 5 years I was the custodian of one highly task-modified Scout 80 (click on picture). It was one of several built by IH and sent to fire equipment outfitters to be converted into fire engines. I'm aware of about six 80s & 800s fire engines/trucks that have survived, but IH had strong advertizing campaign aimed at the rural communities and the US and State Forest Services. (IH built a bunch but none have survived to my knowledge.) In addition to the obvious ladders, this one had three spotlights, a siren, a beacon, a 100 gallon water tank, fire hose on an electric powered reel and a PTO operated pump. All but two of those items had extra wiring, switches, motors, and remote mechanical controls. With the simplicity of the Scout 80s & 800s it was a relatively easy task to locate controls and run wires. The same is true of the more minor modifications I have made to my other Scouts. More recently I ran a high amp line the full length of a '23 pickup to power a winch and found it not such an easy task.

Now, I don't expect this first generation of EV Scout to be turned into Fire Engines, or have dump bodies added either; but we have been treated to a hint of a snow plow and some farm equipment. Plus there is the pregnant hope that in the next generation the EV Scouts will include some more utilitarian models that can support bigger modifications. So what I do ask is that the fuse panel(s) offer extra spaces and easy access to a bus providing power to handle whatever accessory we may install, clear id of which bus is switched and which is live, that the circuit/amperage monitoring software be adaptable to recognize a new device, that passages through the firewall and elsewhere be open enough that we can snake another wire through. And how about some blank spots in the tactile knob and switch areas where we can mount the switches. I'm thinking too about Western/Meyers when they get to design a plow package for us; in addition to easy plug in access to power, maybe the headlight circuits could be prepared for the additional set of front-end lights.

Yes, I understand some of my thoughts on modifications might conflict with a 1m fording depth, I'll have nothing that specific in mind until I take delivery. I'm just illustrating the point of "don't button it up so tight that adding any mod or accessory will be a nightmare" and "give some thought to making the obvious mods reasonably easy".

 

[LastDayScout]

How does the capacitive steering wheel sensor react to non-skin touch -- like fuzzy mittens, leather gloves, synthetic knits, etc. Do you need the kind of "cell phone friendly" gloves with special finger tips to make it work (and the touch screen too)?

Frankly, I don’t know. I’ve never worn gloves while driving this vehicle. The wheel is heated and it rarely gets that cold here. But, I will give it a shot and report back.

 

[LastDayScout]

Frankly, I don’t know. I’ve never worn gloves while driving this vehicle. The wheel is heated and it rarely gets that cold here. But, I will give it a shot and report back.

Ok, I checked the BMW wheel this morning. It still works even with gloves on.

 

[ToadB]

The options to what you want would be nice. For the low tech people is a basic if you want more options check the options box you want equipped. It would be nice to have it A la carte as manufacturers did in the 60's instead of packages, but I know I am dreaming.

I prefer a raw experience in my vehicles.

 

[vmikee]

CB because of the lack of licensing requirements for the user?

Honestly any space for any kind of radio would be an unexpectedly neat feature, even if it's just having a specific and easy spot to place a mobile antenna and a radio. CB, GMRS, ham, whatever. I know that the older folks I've talked to who are familiar with Scout all seem to be similarly familiar with ham radio in particular.

Actually, just last week I got my ham radio license and I was surprised at how easy it was. I ended up sitting for all three tests at once to get to the Amateur Extra license in one go.

And easily accessible switched and always on power for something like a CB or GMRS.

On my Jeep I use a pigtail adapter for the 12V power socket to power my radios. In the Jeep the 12V socket on the dash is switched with the ignition switch so it turns off when my Jeep is off, which is something I prefer. Other people I have off-roaded with prefer to have the ability to have their radios on all the time regardless of whether the Jeep is on or off and Jeep supplies another 12V socket in the center console that is always on, so regardless of power preference there is an easy way to connect radio power in a Jeep with a simple pigtail that directly plugs inline and negates the need to cut any wires.. In my Ford E-350 based RV the 12V adapters are always on, not my personal preference. I had to tie the GMRS radio into the vehicle's radio power connection to get switched power which wasn't very convenient and required cutting / splicing into a wire.

 

[AjzRide]

I had to tie the GMRS radio into the vehicle's radio power connection to get switched power which wasn't very convenient and required cutting / splicing into a wire.

Amazon.com

No splicing; just run the power wire for your new device to the fuse box and pick a fuse that is powered how you like (all the time/acc/run)