The Artificial Noises in Scout’s Electric Vehicles Are Derived Directly from Authentic American Engines | Carscoops

      From the clattering of doors to the reverberations of grain silos, Scout has deployed its sound engineers to craft a distinct soundscape.

      

      7 hours ago

      

      by Stephen Rivers

      

      Scout is developing over 40 distinct sounds drawn from genuine environments.

      Engineers have recorded a classic Scout and a grain silo to capture authentic audio.

      Production of the Terra truck and Traveler SUV will commence in South Carolina in 2027.

      Scout Motors is making daily strides toward production, aiming to introduce a thoughtfully constructed soundscape. Ditching bland beeps, the revived American off-road brand has dispatched sound engineers across the nation, engaging in what resembles an audio archaeology road trip.

      

      If everything goes as planned, the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup will not only be manufactured in the U.S. but will also encapsulate its essence audibly.

      What Does America Sound Like?

      

      Scout's Chief Design Officer, Chris Benjamin, indicated that the brand’s UX team has been gathering authentic mechanical sounds and atmospheric tones to produce over 40 custom sounds for locks, turn signals, warning chimes, and startup sequences.

      “We want all the sounds inside the vehicle to feel true to us and distinct,” Benjamin told Autonews at the L.A. Auto Show, mentioning that Scout is not aiming for a completely silent, library-like atmosphere.

      While recorded sounds differ significantly from the real experience, the Scout team clearly strives to maximize the potential of contemporary technology available.

      

      The team even transported a classic International Harvester Scout, featuring a V8 engine, into an anechoic chamber to capture sounds in isolation.

      

      The authentic mechanical sounds from that model—ranging from the door latches to the locks and the V8 engine itself—will be integrated into Scout's new offerings.

      In homage to the brand’s agricultural roots, the team traveled to Adairville, Kentucky, where they recorded industrial farming machinery inside a grain silo. Additional audio elements will come from an acoustic guitar.

      “You have a bit of industry, a touch of agriculture, and a hint of the original Scout in each of the sounds,” Benjamin stated.

      

      Scout emphasizes that its electric vehicles will not conform to sterile, ultra-minimalist, sci-fi EV interior styles. There will be a digital gauge cluster and a large center screen, but the design will also include real knobs, switches, and buttons.

      This tactile cabin experience aligns with the brand’s rugged heritage, and the thoughtfully selected sounds will enhance it.

      “We’re not making spaceships,” Benjamin affirmed. “We’re crafting sturdy, relatable vehicles that people will cherish, and we want the sounds to reflect that.”

      Production of the Terra and Traveler will begin in South Carolina in late 2027, following a series of pilot builds in 2026.