I would guess no. I'm sure there's a picture or video out there somewhere that shows it but my assumption is the tire carrier latches closed to the hatch, so without the hatch down the tire carrier would just be flopping around. Not to say you couldn't figure out a way to use a strap to keep it "closed" with the hatch open if you really wanted to drive around like that. I know there was also talk about the tire carrier possibly being removable so that could be an option as well.
It would be nice but doubtful. I did this in my Jeep so the German Shephard and Great Dane dog slobber would fly onto the tailgaters windshields.
Same for my prior-gen XC90 - one reason why I've not replaced it.
A simplier solution would be that the with the button the tire carrier pops open and is pushed out of the way by the rear hatch. Some simple factory installed protection could be used for any touch points, however button closure could be complicated.I would think the plan would be for the tire carrier to be removable or at least option it without one and just put the spare up where the Harvester would go on the full electric models. But that's just my best guess based on the picture of the key fob. Granted it's just a mock fob and can easily be changed between now and production so I could just be reading too much into it.
Another thought I just had, although probably too mechanically complicated for Scout to try and implement, is what if the tire carrier was power open like the hatch? Hit the button on the fob and the tire carrier swings open and then lets the hatch pop open. It would just need force detection like most modern power hatches have so that if you hit it in an area where you don't have the space to fully swing open the carrier it would sense the obstruction and stop.
Yeah, don't want the tire carrier at all, Won't be able to access the rear cargo area in my garage without opening the garage door every time.
I don't personally have this but a lot of people tend to gravitate towards this as an option.
