Skid plates / shield (underbody protection) on 2027 Scout concept

[Macallan 18]

Went searching for info on skid plate / underbody protection and here's the skids that were seen on the Scouts at the reveal event and this was posted by The Autopian --

"As for skid plating, a lot of what I saw under the vehicle looked like plastic aero covers. I could be wrong, of course, and it’s possible this isn’t production intent:"

But up front there is what looks like an aluminum bash plate:

And there’s also one at the rear:

 

[cmiller]

I would assume it would be heavy duty wherever the battery is

 

[broadicustomworks]

I'm sure the plastic is the standard fare, more HD aluminum option available either as an option later to be revealed or the aftermarket will fill that void soon enough with some flush-fit options.
Some flush-fit underbelly pans lined with UHMW would be killer.
I'm a huge fan of that stuff.

 

[killaz05]

I mean, if they expect these vehicles to be going off-roading in places where you need a front and rear locker. They should include some beefy skid plates. The plastic looking ones in the pictures seem like just concept mock-ups right now.

 

[Macallan 18]

I mean, if they expect these vehicles to be going off-roading in places where you need a front and rear locker. They should include some beefy skid plates. The plastic looking ones in the pictures seem like just concept mock-ups right now.

Aftermarket always comes through on tough underbody skids anyway, so there'll be options for the most hardcore off-roader owners.

 

[killaz05]

Aftermarket always comes through on tough underbody skids anyway, so there'll be options for the most hardcore off-roader owners.

I don't know of any aftermarket skid plates for Rivian but I may be mistaken. I know there are aftermarket rock sliders. Hopefully there will be more aftermarket products for the Scouts than Rivian

 

[Macallan 18]

I don't know of any aftermarket skid plates for Rivian but I may be mistaken. I know there are aftermarket rock sliders. Hopefully there will be more aftermarket products for the Scouts than Rivian

Yea there's not as many options for the Rivian as we have for our Jeeps and Broncos thats for sure.

Rival 4x4 has skids for the Rivian:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...skid-plates-rivian-r1t-r1s-development.27769/

 

[thespacecadet]

There's a good chance the primary concern of these underbody panels is not protection, but aerodynamics to try and limit the overall drag of the vehicles by shaping the underbody airflow.

It's possible these panels will get beefier as we approach production, but that's not a guarantee.

 

[Trailguide79]

There's a good chance the primary concern of these underbody panels is not protection, but aerodynamics to try and limit the overall drag of the vehicles by shaping the underbody airflow.

It's possible these panels will get beefier as we approach production, but that's not a guarantee.

Great point, and the aftermarket could go even further depending on how fringe someone is.
I remember installing bulletproof kevlar floors onto helicopters in Iraq circa 2005, the small amout of weight it added likely proved valuable, and I am sure 20 years later......kevlar is still expensive, but could be a good surrogate to aluminum in the aftermarket.

 

[JesseS]

I would think they would replace the plastic with something much stronger if for nothing else than battery protection, last thing you need is battery damage leading to an impromptu bonfire.