The Ford Maverick has already been on the market for a few years, which makes adding a new, performance-oriented model a great idea.
This new sporty version of Ford’s compact truck is called the Ford Maverick Lobo. This new model came about from a few different design ideas, some from the Maverick designer and others from Tucci Hot Rods when they showed the possibilities at the 2021 SEMA show. Once the approval was given, it was off to the races for Ford to develop and design this new truck.
Here’s what the new Ford Maverick Lobo brings to the table.
Some serious performance changes
When turning a traditional truck into a street/racing pickup, the first thing that most people will do is lower the ride height. The Maverick is already pretty short and small, and taking the ride height down cuts into this measurement. This new truck also has an on-road suspension with tuned shocks and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that surpasses the testing to be called “Built Ford Tough.”
The ride height for this pickup is one-half inch lower in the front and 1.12 inches lower in the rear compared to the regular Maverick. The roof height has also been lowered by 0.8 inches to make the inside a bit shorter, which also makes this truck feel like a street truck.
A performance car in a truck body
The new Ford Maverick Lobo gained items you want in a performance truck. The steering has been tuned to make the pickup drive like a performance car, which can make it easier to carve up the corners. This incredible new small truck also has torque vectoring with runs through a twin-clutch rear drive unit that was taken from the Bronco Sport and fit to the Maverick.
Ford also added more control with bigger and more substantial braking with dual-piston front brake calipers that were used for the Focus ST that was a staple of the European hot hatch circuit.
The drive mode to match the new model
In today’s vehicles we rely on drive modes to provide the best settings for the driving conditions and desires. In some sports cars these modes would be Sport and Sport+, in the Tesla Model S the mode is called Plaid, but in the Ford Maverick, the mode is the same as the truck’s name. The Lobo drive mode improved cornering performance, grip, and stability to help minimize understeer during the drive.
The Lobo mode is meant only for closed courses because it activates the truck’s torque vectoring and reduces the capability of the stability control system. If you want another Ford equivalent, this mode is similar to the track mode found in the Ford Mustang.
Can this truck handle the demand of the track?
The Ford Maverick Lobo is equipped to handle the demands of high-performance driving. This means it has an upgraded cooling system with a larger radiator and fan that comes from the towing package. This new performance truck also has a transmission oil cooler to help keep things cool and ready to go.
When styling matters
The underneath stuff makes this new compact sports truck go and go fast, but the new Lobo maintains the Maverick’s good looks but with a slightly different interpretation. This truck has a unique front fascia, painted rear bumper, and rocker moldings that contrast with the black-painted roof and 19-inch black wheels.
As you might expect, The interior bring inspiration from street driving and lowered trucks, but it also features some elements that come rom street art. This is thanks to designer Kristen Keenan and what she observed during her travels. The presentation of these elements comes in the form of Grabber Blue and Electric Lime accent stitching to give the truck some offsetting colors.
Go higher or more stuff
The new Ford Maverick Lobo won’t be a one-trick pony. Instead, this new street truck will have at least two configurations for drivers to choose from. The higher trim will add desirable items, including:
- Heated steering wheel and seats
- Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0
- 360-degree camera
- Spray-in bedliner
- Moonroof
- Pro Trailer Hitch
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist
The small performance truck you’re sure to love
The Ford Maverick has been a huge hit since it first arrived. Many drivers quickly learned that they don’t need a big and cumbersome truck to get things done. The new Ford Maverick Lobo takes things to a place where sports trucks should go.
This smaller and more active version could be the most fun you’ve ever had in a truck. Will you drive the new Maverick Lobo?
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