A Ford Maverick ST Is Allegedly in the Works
While nothing is confirmed yet, it appears that Ford has been testing out a Maverick pickup truck with dual exhaust. And that usually means one thing, added performance. While the 2022 Ford Maverick pickup truck already offers a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, a performance truck is not out of the realm of possibility. Especially when one considers the performance that Ford has already offered to its other vehicles. While the Ford Focus ST is long gone, a Maverick ST is an exciting prospect, and maybe it is in the works.
Spy shots of a Ford Maverick ST have been seen
Nothing is confirmed yet, or even if the Maverick would be given the ST badge. But, Ford has not been shy of giving less traditional vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Ford Escape the performance treatment. Certainly, a compact pickup truck with added power would be popular. Especially considering the fact that the current Ford Maverick has already sold out.
The Ford Maverick marked a major first for pickup trucks coming standard with a hybrid powertrain. But, for added power buyers can opt for a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 250 horsepower and 277 pound-foot of torque. This is enough power for most, but some may be looking for something more.
What kind of power would a Maverick ST have?
Ford has a variety of engines that could go into the Maverick, including a 2.3-liter engine that makes 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in some Ford models. While this may seem like a small power boost, keep in mind that the Ford Maverick is a compact truck. Every little bit of power counts, and a Maverick ST would certainly add some handling improvements too.
The Maverick pickup truck does already benefit from some ST underpinnings from Ford’s European market. According to MotorTrend, it does borrow some tech from the Fiesta ST that is being sold in non-US regions. Maybe, Ford is planning to borrow even more from its performance models.
The time is now for a small, performance truck
It has been some time since a compact truck has been sold in the United States, let alone a sports truck. As a unibody vehicle, the Maverick already rides like a car or SUV, which means a performance model would likely be extremely competent on the road.
In the past, manufacturers have made small trucks with serious power, such as the GMC Syclone with 280 hp. Adding performance to the Maverick would undoubtedly be a popular move. Even if it raises the price of this cheap, compact pickup truck.
Dual exhaust may not mean that Ford is definitely planning to give this small truck more power. But, it is always fun to speculate, as any auto enthusiast knows. This is even more true with the Ford Maverick, as orders are likely paused until later in 2022. Ford surely needs to do something to make the wait for this truck worth it for buyers. More power could do just that.
