And the Ford Maverick plot is getting thicker.
Just in the last few weeks, we have seen the upcoming Ford Maverick in 2022 on public roads in much greater detail. It usually sends one loud and clear signal: the official debut is coming. Now a TFLtruck reader has sent these photos from San Diego to illustrate an interesting scene. You’ve probably seen a lot of manufacturer ads – especially Ford, as it’s been very familiar with their revelations lately – and it’s possibly what’s happening in these photos.
So if you see an ad with a blue Ford Maverick wandering the streets of California, just remember: you first saw it here.
Apart from the scene in which it is, there is unfortunately not too much more we can get in terms of useful information about the truck. Spy surveys we posted last week show Ford’s small truck from the front, in profile and from behind, as well as bigger tips on what’s underneath. These shots lose the camouflage, so we can get a better idea of the truck’s styling, at least from the side.
The wheel arches of the body color and the front bumper (instead of black upholstery throughout the truck) show that it could be a First Edition Maverick or at least a Lariat model at the top. This is just a guess, mainly based on how Ford treats the rest of its trucks. It seems that Ford will use a similar decoration kit as the Ranger and F-Series, but the photos we received do not show enough details to make out what is on the mudguard. Update: We’ve received one more photo (above), and although it’s still a bit vague, it shows more details than the others.
As it looks like a top model – and carmakers tend to display their best-equipped models in ads – this Maverick has to pack a 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with about 245 horsepower. As far as we know, in 2022 the Ford Maverick will share identical platforms and drivetrains with the Ford Escape crossover and, most importantly, the new Bronco Sport. However, since the application here is a bit different, I would not be surprised if Ford tuned the engine a bit differently, perhaps for a better low-power torque. A 1.5 liter three-cylinder EcoBoost can also be placed on the tap for the entry-level models (XL or XLT equivalent).
Fortunately, we will not have too much time to wait for the proof that Ford is likely to shoot ads for the truck. The company’s new mini truck is expected to arrive sometime in the next few months.