Another very optimistic take on Slate from auto expert Sandy Munro

[cvollers]

That was kinda my thinking too. I’m keeping my spot in line but it seems like a very complex vehicle with a lot of unrealistic expectations. My guess is it will roll out in more complicated fashion than my Lightning. There are so many variations that it will either take forever to produce or cost a fortune- but something has to give. The retro-nostalgia heritage play for a tech forward mall crawler is kinda gross. Scout is using the same strategy as Stellantis trying to make one platform do too many things. Ask Dodge how that is going!

The original Scout was super simple and a bulletproof overlanding machine. The new Scout might be good at going off road, but it is fancy and not super simple. And that's the BEV version. The EREV version adds even more complexity. All of this complexity during production adds cost and that, on top of the massive marketing and new factory spend, will drive up the price. So that old guy in the commercial who bought the last one off the line in 1985 is going to be shocked when he sees what a well-equipped Scout is going to cost.

The Slate is completely opposite. It is cheap. It is simple. It will be easy to maintain and work on. It will be fun to own and drive. Will it go off road as well as the Scout? Most likely no, but it will do better than most people think. For me, I already own an off road machine (FJ Cruiser). What I need is a reliable, low cost commuter that I can wrap for my business and that I can move stuff with when I need to. I already have a dog bed for it.

 

[Luxrage]

I've been reading about the drum brake thing before, with the improvements in regenerative braking and 'one pedal' driving, some EV fleet testers were finding the front calipers starting to prematurely warp from rust and lack of use.

There's been some research into returning to four drum brakes, if they waterproof them better (and with better heat dissipation for fade) they'll probably start making a comeback on non-sporting oriented EVs:

Continental has been doing some research on fully-sealed front drums in EVs:
https://www.continental.com/en/press/studies-publications/technology-dossiers/drum-brake/

 

[SichuanHot]

I am also losing interest in Scout. I’m sure they will produce a fine vehicle but it’s more of a Rivian alternative for slightly less money than something completely new and affordable.

I share the same sentiments. When I first heard about the Scout with its gas extended range extender, I thought it was the EV to finally strike the balance for when you're traveling across the vast open stretches of the Great Plains. Needless to say, I was disappointed to hear that the trim with the Harvester gas generator will come with a smaller battery, totally negating the whole point of creating a super extended range version powered by readily available fuel. If Mazda gets their head out of the sand, now's the time to actually make their rotary generator EV.

 

[5ohbrad]

Every vehicle is a series of compromises. My opinion- the Scout was conceived as a pure EV, people whined about the range and the engineering team decided to whip up a range extender that sort of compromises any elegance or simplicity that existed within the design. The addition of the range extender pushed cost higher necessitating a cheaper less capable battery. Not to mention the lowered payload capacity to offset the weight added to the rear by the range extender. The general expectation of the Scout forum is that the Harvester is magic- increases range for a negligible cost with no adverse effect on towing or production cost. The EV has always and continues to be the better of two options for cost, capability, efficiency and limited towing.

 

[cvollers]

Every vehicle is a series of compromises. My opinion- the Scout was conceived as a pure EV, people whined about the range and the engineering team decided to whip up a range extender that sort of compromises any elegance or simplicity that existed within the design. The addition of the range extender pushed cost higher necessitating a cheaper less capable battery. Not to mention the lowered payload capacity to offset the weight added to the rear by the range extender. The general expectation of the Scout forum is that the Harvester is magic- increases range for a negligible cost with no adverse effect on towing or production cost. The EV has always and continues to be the better of two options for cost, capability, efficiency and limited towing.

Agreed. Also no price yet for the Harvester. I guarantee it’s going to be very close to $70K, perhaps more.

 

[cvollers]

Agreed. Also no price yet for the Harvester. I guarantee it’s going to be very close to $70K, perhaps more.

Just canceled my Scout reservation.

 

[null98115]

That was an interesting watch, particularly the discussion about drum brakes. As an EV newb, are disc brakes necessary? I occasionally drive our Maverick hybrid, and I find myself very light on the brake pedal as opposed to our other vehicles.

I've always found my 2023 Maverick Hybrid's brakes to be super sensitive.

 

[SichuanHot]

I've always found my 2023 Maverick Hybrid's brakes to be super sensitive.

That's just typical commuter car brake tuning. The hybrid system exacerbates that immediate sensitivity because of the modicum amount of regen that it attempts to recapture. I drove a gen 8 Civic hybrid for a while and its immediate braking response was the same deal. A proper sports car like a E46 M3 has a much more linear brake feel.

 

[cvollers]

Just canceled my Scout reservation.

I just read about how the Rivian R2 will be the [software] platform for future VW EVs which makes me think that Rivian, like Scout, is becoming another division of VW. So why did VW do the Scout deal? 1) more U.S. manufacturing with the new plant in S.C., 2) adding a body on frame vehicle to their unibody lineup, and 3) another luxury brand that is clearly more upscale than VW’s core brand. What do I have to say to all of this? Count me out.

 

[Dorbiman]

I just read about how the Rivian R2 will be the platform for future VW EVs which makes me think that Rivian, like Scout, is becoming another division of VW. So why did VW do the Scout deal? 1) more U.S. manufacturing with the new plant in S.C., 2) adding a body on frame vehicle to their unibody lineup, and 3) another luxury brand that is clearly more upscale than VW’s core brand. What do I have to say to all of this? Count me out.

Rivian is doing the software for VW. Their hardware is distinct as far as I know

 

[cvollers]

Rivian is doing the software for VW. Their hardware is distinct as far as I know

I see a clarifying article stating same. The Rivian engineer was quoted out of context. Doesn’t change my position on Scout.

 

[5ohbrad]

I see a clarifying article stating same. The Rivian engineer was quoted out of context. Doesn’t change my position on Scout.

I’m keeping mine to replace our Expedition family vehicle that my wife drives. The Rivian software is encouraging- they were able to cut a lot of cost and complexity recently with their new architecture. Hopefully some of that will convert. But I’m way more excited for my bare bones commuter Slate than the Scout, just because of the purity of the vision.