When the 2022 Ford Maverick was revealed earlier this week, it raised a lot of eyebrows thanks to its impressive fuel economy figures, standard hybrid drivetrain, and bargain-basement price tag. But for now, at least, Ford isn’t offering much in the way of performance, with its range-topping 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 delivering a targeted 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Thus, that had us wondering – what if the automaker decided to build a more performance-oriented Ford Maverick ST?
A high-performance Ford Maverick ST makes sense for a number of reasons. For starters, the Maverick is built on the Ford C2 platform, which is a front-wheel-drive, unibody base, meaning that it straddles the line between a car and a truck. The base Maverick’s rear twist-beam suspension even shares its Force Vectoring Springs with the Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch, as Ford Authority recently reported.
Ford has already shown a willingness to build high-performance variants of some of its crossovers as well, including the Ford Edge ST and Ford Explorer ST. Thus, it would make perfect sense to expand those offerings with a Maverick ST, especially since Ford CEO Jim Farley recently expressed his desire to see the Maverick grow into a family of its own one day, just as the Ford Bronco and Ford Mustang already have.
Thus, we created these Ford Maverick ST renderings using the same formula applied to existing ST models. That means a suspension tuned for street performance, bigger wheels and stickier tires, blacked-out trim for a more sinister appearance, and of course, red ST badges. It’s similar to the Ford F-150 ST we rendered some time ago, in many regards.
The big question left to be answered, then, is what sort of engine might power our imaginary Maverick ST? The natural choice would be Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, which is already used in another FoMoCo vehicle underpinned by the C2 platform – the Lincoln Corsair. In that guise, it produces 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a nice increase from the 2.0L EcoBoost-powered Maverick’s output. Standard all-wheel-drive would be the optimal choice to put that power to the pavement, too.
A performance-oriented Maverick ST certainly makes a lot of sense, and we imagine that it would prove quite popular among younger automotive enthusiasts that crave an affordable and fun vehicle that’s also practical. Now the only question is, will Ford build it?
We’ll have more cool renderings like this to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Maverick news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
If they stuff the 2.7 twin turbo in this, I’m confident an ST variant could sell.
Yes, Yes, and Yes. Am all in A Pocket Rocket Pickup would make a great daily driver. 2.3 AWD Auto and Standard some fun for everyone and start a new Truck Trend
Somehow I believe that the Bronco sport’s off road chops on a Maverick along with a 2.3 making the power figures from the Mustang would be a hit. Couldn’t call it a Raptor, Tremor maybe? Yes, Maverick Tremor. And of course an ST model as well.
This honestly makes a lot of sense. An ST model could channel the spirit of the Australian Utes and would definitely appeal to a lot of people, and a Tremor or possibly even Raptor is a no-brainer as well. Ford has already engineered the platform for serious off-roading with the Bronco Sport, and it shouldn’t be too hard to transfer some of that over to the Mav.
The Maverick makes MUCH more sense than the Ranger IMO. It’s much better looking.
Thought the Maverick was going to be my next purchase but no. Wanted all Wheel drive and a bit more power. Maybe if they have an ST version with all wheel drive would it.
Some of you guys are so hilarious it is not even funny. Keep window shopping buddy. You and I know fully well you had no intention of purchasing the Maverick.
I just wonder about why there aren’t any gas mileage specs on the fx4 platform. This is the platform that is I am interested in. A small truck is needed that gets a decent mpg with 4 wheel drive. My 2001 Dodge 3500 dually diesel gets 16 mpg on the highway while not towing anything. Why can they not figure out how to get good mileage on a small 4 wd?
They alway post the highest mpg as a selling point am sure the FX4 is 30-35
If I’m not mistaken, doesn’t “ST” means Sport Touring? Do SUV’s and pickups really fall into that category of vehicle? Sorry, the Focus, the Fiesta…yes…loosely throwing around this label does not infer similar attributes…
Ford used the Maverick name which use to be a car, but to answer your question a truck can fit in that category
I have the 2.0 maverick and I average 25 mpg ..I have gotten 28 hwy and 22 city and I go about 65mph hwy so it’s fairly accurate of course its the AWD model but I have like 2 recalls on it already and the start stop works when ever it feels like it..it also has a 2 inch lift on it with bigger tires and performance shocks and struts…very happy with the gas mileage compared to my f150…only time will tell if other things stop working…