Volkswagen plotting all-electric Jeep Wrangler rival

Volkswagen is considering creating a hard-core pure-electric off-roader to battle it out against the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler.

Tipped to carry the Scout nameplate, the all-new 4x4 wagon will rival a growing number of electric off-roaders, including the forthcoming Rivian R1S.

However, Volkswagen's North American chief Johan De Nysschen told Motor Trend that the car-maker was targeting "a $US40,000 ($A55K) price point instead of $70,000 ($97K)."

Volkswagen Group now owns the Scout nameplate that was made famous in the US by the old International Harvester Scout – and the German brand now hopes to cash in on its heritage.

If successful, it's thought the Scout name could spearhead a new sub-brand that is likely to be sold via existing Volkswagen dealerships.

If approved for production, the new Volkswagen Scout EV will be built on a highly modified version of the car-maker's MEB architecture that will be adapted for long-travel suspension.

The body, meanwhile, will be unashamedly retro and boxy, drawing design cues from original International Harvesters.

It's thought the Scout could also get additional all-wheel drive hardware that might include mechanical locking differentials.

No timeline has been provided for the arrival of the Scout EV but it's thought approval and then development of the 4x4 could push back the reborn brand's arrival to 2030.