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From its debut, the Ford Maverick has captivated the attention of automotive enthusiasts. Although it wasn’t renowned for sporty performance in its standard form, customization enthusiasts quickly recognized its potential and began modifying it for increased speed, keeping with the tradition of street trucks. Popular upgrades included lowering the suspension, enhancing tire grip, and boosting power. Ford has now rolled out a factory performance version of the Maverick, called the Lobo, which includes many of these enhancements in a factory-built package. This resurgence of factory-modified vehicles offers a nostalgic glimpse into the creative spirit of truck owners.
Let’s delve into the specifics of the Lobo. It features the all-wheel drive, 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine from the standard Maverick but comes with an upgraded radiator and a transmission oil cooler. The power output remains at 238 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, but, as demonstrated by various owners, modifications like tuning, new exhaust systems, and larger turbos can significantly increase performance. Additionally, Ford has incorporated the dual-clutch, torque-vectoring rear differential borrowed from the Bronco Sport Badlands and Maverick Tremor, along with brake calipers from the European Focus ST, rotors from the Lincoln Corsair PHEV, a faster steering rack from the Kuga sold overseas, and front strut mounts from the Mustang Mach-E.
In essence, the Lobo is a compilation of various parts from Ford’s lineup, reflecting the influence of owner creativity. From the beginning, Maverick owners have engaged in this practice, swapping in digital gauge clusters from the Escape and even entire engines from other models, such as a 2.3-liter EcoBoost sourced from a Lincoln Corsair. This embodies the ethos of making the most with what’s available.
Vorshlag Motorsports quickly began modifying the Maverick by developing performance coilovers in 2022, while 5 Star Tuning assisted these trucks in achieving impressive 12-second quarter-mile times shortly after their market launch. Livernois also released an ethanol tune that increased the power output to 325 hp for a mere $600. The aftermarket support has remained robust, and owners have eagerly capitalized on these opportunities, as showcased by various builds featured on this site.
The inspiration behind both the Lobo and many owner modifications can be traced back to the Tucci Hot Rods creation showcased at the 2022 SEMA show—a project that Ford actively participated in. Its striking design, characterized by a lowered profile, wide wheels, and custom body components, inspired many. In fact, Ford referenced this project during the Lobo announcement, highlighting the company’s responsiveness to owner feedback and creativity.
Ultimately, the key takeaway from this initiative is that the input of car enthusiasts truly matters. It’s not guaranteed that automotive manufacturers will heed our feedback or even consider our suggestions, but if we don’t express our desires and make efforts to realize them ourselves, they may resort to uninspired decision-making. Ford’s approach with the Maverick has rekindled excitement, as it’s been years since a dedicated factory street truck has graced the market, making this moment special. This revival owes much to the following individuals:
- Ivan Rodriguez with his 2.3L-swapped Maverick
- David Buschur of Buschur’s in Ohio
- Terry Fair from Vorshlag Motorsports
- Antonio Diaz and his VIR slayer (Story by The Autopian)
Perhaps in the future, we may see a factory mini truck inspired by Adam Edwards’ lowered Maverick and Kenneth McCay’s tribal-adorned silver bullet.
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