Some time ago, we pondered what things would be like if Ford were to bring about a sportier version of the popular Ford Maverick compact truck. We saw the hot rod build at SEMA 2021, which got many people’s imaginations running, followed by a Shelby sketch and even a simpler sport truck concept. We may yet see a Ford Maverick Sport trim take the stage as recent spy photographers have yet again caught a heavily camouflaged tiny truck that Car and Driver dubbed the “Lobo.”
What Is The Ford Maverick “Lobo”?
The particular Ford Maverick in question features camouflage across the entire front of the vehicle and the back, along with the door handles. However, everything else is fully visible for people to see. The front fascia being covered is fascinating because it could indicate that the grille or lower air intakes have been modified, meaning there could be a more powerful engine under the hood.
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.
What stands out the most is the 19-inch wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT all-season tires wrapped around them. Sure, the tires aren’t exactly race-grade, but the wheel is undoubtedly larger than anything currently available on the production Maverick. As for the “Lobo” name, Ford recently filed to trademark “Maverick Lobo” through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on August 14, 2023, which is where the name speculation comes from.
If you didn’t know, Ford has been selling a Lobo F-150 pickup in Mexico since 1997, using the nameplate to distinguish between its work models and upscale F-150 trucks. Whether this patent means the Ford will keep the sporty ST moniker on the shelf in regards to the Maverick remains to be seen. But if the automaker wants some unity among its truck trim levels, as seen with Tremor, Raptor and others, then “Lobo” seems like the frontrunner in this case.
It wasn’t too long ago that Ford confirmed that it plans to add new variants of the Ford Maverick, including a sportier version. There’s no doubt that the Maverick is a huge success, and what better way to expand upon that success than with more versions of the fantastic truck tailored towards more niche markets, be it an off-road Tremor, a sportier ST, or something else. As competition starts to ramp up within the compact truck segment, it’ll become even more important for the company to keep its customer base with them rather than looking elsewhere.
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.
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