New competition

[CrazyOldMan]

Did anyone post this already? Bloviate and opine, please - especially for the Germans.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69457849/audi-luxury-off-roader-scout-platform/

 

[dreamalaska]

Audi robbing Scout before they’re even off the ground

 

[INEOS OG]

“The as-yet unconfirmed Audi will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to the optional setup in Scout's debut models. The system relies on electric motors for propulsion and uses a combustion engine as a range extender.”

 

[ADVAW8S]

That such a VW move

“The as-yet unconfirmed Audi will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to the optional setup in Scout's debut models. The system relies on electric motors for propulsion and uses a combustion engine as a range extender.”

It's what Ineos wanted to do l but if I remember correctly, the UK/EU wanted to treat it as a hybrid versus a electric vehicle.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

That such a VW move

It's what Ineos wanted to do l but if I remember correctly, the UK/EU wanted to treat it as a hybrid versus an electric vehicle.

Yes - the Scout SUV with the range extender (the Harvester) is basically like the Ineos Fusilier REx concept - but built in the US (SC) so they don’t have the same headwinds. I’m just stunned (and skeptical) that Audi would pick that platform (which doesn’t yet exist) and was curious if it was just groundless rumor

 

[skinny_tom]

Interesting. My wife's Audi is really nice. So long as you don't want the Infotainment system to do anything that it doesn't do on it's own.

From what I've seen of the prototype scouts, I'm not sure Audi will be much of a step up. Probably just add a bunch of useless stuff.

 

[AWo]

BMW and Audi have clearly stated now that they will offer some kind of 4x4 in the US. They see a growing niche market, mainly served by Jeep, Ford, Mercedes and Land Rover, were the Wrangler and the Bronco dominate.

The Automotive News Research & Data Center sees nine cars in that segment:

• Ford Bronco
• GMC Hummer
• Ineos Grenadier
• Jeep Wrangler
• Land Rover Defender
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Mercedes-Benz G Wagon
• Rivian R1S
• Toyota Land Cruiser

The cars saw a sale of 371,495 YTD 2025. There seems to be a strong growth: 415,007 in 2024 and 349,517 in 2023, 336,387 in 20222. Wrangler owns 128,054 units and Bronco 109,921 units YTD. The Land Cruiser was sold 35,146 times (Ineos Grenadier 4,481).

AWo

 

[chrsbe]

Interesting Numbers. My assumptions is that Ineos doesn't have the reputation yet. If there’s one thing Ineos isn’t famous for, it’s brand building.

 

[Dokatd]

Yes - the Scout SUV with the range extender (the Harvester) is basically like the Ineos Fusilier REx concept - but built in the US (SC) so they don’t have the same headwinds. I’m just stunned (and skeptical) that Audi would pick that platform (which doesn’t yet exist) and was curious if it was just groundless rumor

Keep in mind the electrical and software side of the scout is effectively Rivian. The mechanics and motors are going to be unique to Scout, but that's somewhat the easy part. So VW is already light years ahead since they don't have to develop all the software and computers.

That said, I have no clue what Audi is doing but it makes sense that they would piggy back off VW like they normally do anyways. I doubt they will take a ton of direction from the Scout though as it's solid rear axle. I would expect Audi to go full independent suspension. It would make more sense for them to borrow from Rivian more directly.

 

[chrsbe]

Maybe it falls under below-the-line rumor marketing. That would help Scout gain more credibility, wouldn’t it?

 

[CrazyOldMan]

BMW and Audi have clearly stated now that they will offer some kind of 4x4 in the US. They see a growing niche market, mainly served by Jeep, Ford, Mercedes and Land Rover, were the Wrangler and the Bronco dominate.

The Automotive News Research & Data Center sees nine cars in that segment:

• Ford Bronco
• GMC Hummer
• Ineos Grenadier
• Jeep Wrangler
• Land Rover Defender
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Mercedes-Benz G Wagon
• Rivian R1S
• Toyota Land Cruiser

The cars saw a sale of 371,495 YTD 2025. There seems to be a strong growth: 415,007 in 2024 and 349,517 in 2023, 336,387 in 20222. Wrangler owns 128,054 units and Bronco 109,921 units YTD. The Land Cruiser was sold 35,146 times (Ineos Grenadier 4,481).

AWo

Hmmm - interesting segment, and yes, more and more you see this list on the road. BMW and Audi would have to be fools to ignore it, even if it’s just a trim level (like BMW did with the X5 Silver Anniversary edition). So you don’t think it’s implausible that VW is sharing R&D across Scout and Audi? No reason they wouldn’t- and it would make sense if Audi built it in South Carolina (as BMW does with all of the X series, as far as I’m aware). I’m not even sure if it’s one segment - how much overlap is there between Range Rover and Bronco? But if we just say “boxy, mid-to-large 5 door that may or may not ever see dirt,” then yeah, I see that. Seems like everyone would prefer either that or a truck over a sedan. In any case - more competition for Ineos.