Justo cuando muchos en Argentina pedían que la Maverick tuviera un mayor despeje del suelo, neumáticos con un poco más de dibujo y mayor capacidad off-road (ver opinión), Ford sorprendió a todos en Estados Unidos con la nueva Maverick Lobo: una versión que viene de fábrica "planchada al piso", con despeje reducido y una puesta a punto enfocada sólo para el asfalto.
El nombre Lobo tiene una extensa tradición entre las pick-ups de Ford y siempre identificó a las versiones con puesta a punto más deportiva, pensadas para el uso en ruta y ciudad. Sin embargo, si ese es el camino elegido, la sorpresa es que la Maverick Lobo tiene menos potencia que la actual Maverick 2.0 que se vende en Argentina: el rendimiento del motor turbonaftero cayó de 253 cv y 380 Nm a 238 cv y 372 Nm.
¿Qué pasó? Al parecer, Ford modificó la electrónica del motor de la Maverick para lograr cumplir con normativas de emisiones ambientales en Estados Unidos y reducir el consumo de combustible. Habrá que ver si esa importante merma de rendimiento también se aplica en Argentina.
La intención de la Maverick Lobo es competir contra otras pick-ups compactas de planteo deportivo, como la nueva Rampage R/T (leer crítica). De todos modos, alcanza con mirar la ficha técnica para entender que la Ram corre de entrada con mucha ventaja: su 2.0 turbonaftero entrega 272 cv y 400 Nm.
Lo que no se puede negar es que la nueva Maverick Lobo quedó con un diseño bastante deportivo y agresivo, con un spoiler delantero más agresivo, una parrilla de estética exclusiva, butacas deportivas y llantas con un sistema especial para refrigerar los frenos (como usan los autos de rally cuando corren en asfalto).
Todo este desarrollo se basó en el rediseño de la Ford Maverick (2024), que se presentó hace dos semanas en Estados Unidos (ver nota). La llegada de este restyling debería producirse en la Argentina el año que viene. No se sabe si se ofrecerá la variante Lobo o si -por fin- Ford escuchará el reclamo de los clientes y venderá una versión más orientada al uso off-road.
Hay más información sobre la nueva Maverick Lobo en la ficha técnica para descargar, la galería de fotos, el video y el comunicado de prensa, acá abajo.
Galería: Ford Maverick Lobo
VIDEO: Ford Maverick Lobo
Notas relacionadas
Comunicado de prensa de Ford
The Street Truck Returns with Performance-Tuned Maverick Lobo
Inspired by the lowered truck era that lasted from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s and Maverick customers already personalizing their trucks for performance, the Maverick Lobo is a new canvas for modern street truck builds.
Lobo is the street-performance version of Maverick, giving customers a new, differentiated model with the same Maverick value and versatility. It joins the lineup that includes the off-road capable Maverick Tremor and the efficient Maverick Hybrid.
When Maverick designer Josh Blundo joined Ford in 2019, he saw a clay model of the Maverick and noticed its potential. He began modifying the truck as if it was his own: a widebody, wings, front splitter, and wheels.
His idea inspired a special build by Tucci Hot Rods that drew praise at the 2021 Special Equipment Manufacturers Association trade show. Blundo and the team later got the green light and began designing Lobo.
At the same time, engineers like Keith Daugherty began tweaking the springs and suspension and testing components from other Ford performance-oriented vehicles to help create an authentic on-road performance truck.
Engineered for On-Road Performance
The result of that collaboration is the Maverick Lobo with a lowered ride height and an on-road tuned suspension with tuned shocks and a 2-liter EcoBoost engine tested to Built Ford Tough standards and backed by a factory warranty.
Maverick Lobo ride height is a half-inch lower in the front and 1.12 inches lower in the rear compared to Maverick, and roof height is 0.8 inches lower.
Tuned steering makes Maverick Lobo drive more like a performance car, with torque vectoring through a twin-clutch rear drive unit and bigger, enhanced brakes with dual-piston front brake calipers used on the Focus ST sold in Europe. Inspired by drifting and autocross, there’s also a new Lobo drive mode, which improves cornering performance, grip, and stability, helping to minimize understeer.
Lobo mode is meant only for closed courses because it activates the truck’s torque while reducing stability control intervention. (Think about Lobo mode as the Maverick equivalent to Mustang track mode.)
And to ensure Lobo is ready to handle demanding performance driving, we also upgraded the cooling system. It utilizes the larger radiator and fan from Maverick's 4K towing package and a transmission oil cooler.
Street Truck Design
Maverick Lobo maintains Maverick aesthetics in a slightly different interpretation. Unique front style, painted rear bumper, and rocker moldings contrast with a black-painted roof and 19-inch black wheels.
The interior features inspiration from street art that designer Kristen Keenan observed in her travels and experiences she gained in designing athletic shoes.
There’s Grabber Blue and Electric Lime accent stitching, a graffiti-inspired overprint on the seats as a nod to street culture, and the Lobo name embossed into the black driver and passenger seats.
This color combination is a nod to current streetwear trends, where multiple colors are often used together in a way that brings harmony without matching perfectly.
To keep it easy for customers to select their Maverick Lobo canvas and get started with their own personalization, the truck comes in two configurations: standard and high.
Purposeful Technology
Standard configuration comes with everything described above, while high configuration adds other comforts like heated steering wheel and seats, Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver-assist technologies, a 360-degree camera, spray-in bedliner, moon roof, and, beginning early in 2025, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist helps take the frustration out of hitching a trailer. It works by using the rear camera and corner radars to align the hitch with the trailer coupler while simultaneously controlling the truck’s speed, steering, and braking to stop at just the right place.
Once hitched, Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob to indicate which direction the trailer should go while reversing into position.
Ordering for the 2025 Maverick Lobo begins Aug.1, with deliveries starting in early 2025, and late availability on high configuration models.