It was only a couple of weeks when Ford unveiled the F-150 Lightning and now we’re hearing the Blue Oval is on the verge of introducing another electrified truck. Much smaller and still equipped with a combustion engine, the compact Maverick pickup is reportedly going to debut in the first half of June. Ford Authority has heard from sources close to the matter the wraps will come off within the next two weeks and that there will be a hybrid powertrain in the mix.
Going up against another small pickup, the recently unveiled Hyundai Santa Cruz, the all-new Maverick will slot below the midsize Ranger in Ford’s truck lineup. It is believed the hybrid setup will be available right from the start and is going to offer an unspecified amount of pure electric range. It makes perfect sense to electrify the compact truck seeing as how the workhorse will be riding on the same platform that has underpinned the Escape crossover, which offers both hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
The Escape Hybrid comes with a choice of either front- or all-wheel drive, with the latter making the most sense for the Maverick. Should the truck inherit the same electrified setup, expect a 2.5-liter gasoline engine to work with an electric motor and deliver a combined output of 198 horsepower. All versions of the pickup are going to be offered only in the more practical SuperCrew body style, much like Ford’s fullsize electric truck.
The partially electrified powertrain will be available alongside a 1.5-liter three-cylinder or a larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder, with both turbocharged engines belonging to the EcoBoost family and being hooked up to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The entry-level model might feature a naturally aspirated four-pot engine, but nothing is official at this point. Going for a front-wheel-drive model means you’ll be stuck with a more basic twist-beam rear suspension whereas the AWD model will be equipped with a rear independent suspension.
Following its possible world premiere next month, the 2022 Maverick will enter production at the same Ford Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico where the Bronco Sport and Escape are assembled. It should go on sale before the end of the year and carry a starting price of under $20,000, although we’ll have to wait and see about that since it sounds too good to be true.
Source: Ford Authority
