We show that the measurement at high resolution of the kinetic-energy gain spectrum of a highly charged ion (HCI) scattered and partly neutralised by a molecule, a nanocluster or a surface can reveal the excitation spectrum of the target. As a first application of the analysis, we demonstrate that the periodic oscillations in the measured energy gain spectra of energetic Arq+ ions flying by C-60 molecules arise from the coherent multiple excitations of C-60 plasmons. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.