Although it has yet to be confirmed for the South African market, it appears that Ford’s upcoming compact bakkie is already a hit with local bakkie fans, with our previous news updates having consistently shot to the top of our ‘most read’ table.
Last week we reported that the newcomer is expected to have a rugged design that takes inspiration from the Ranger and upcoming Bronco Sport, and now it appears that the vehicle has a name: Maverick.
This is according to what is said to be a leaked image that recently appeared on the
website. It shows a 3D rendering of a bakkie tailgate with ‘Maverick’ lettering along the lower section (see video below).
Ford previously used the Maverick name on a US market sedan in the 1970s and then on a badge-engineered Nissan Terrano SUV in Europe in the '90s.
If the Maverick name is used for the new bakkie, it’s certainly a better designation than Courier, which had been previously touted.
The newcomer will slot beneath the Ranger when it hits the scene around 2022.
While it will take some design inspiration from the Ranger, the new compact pick-up will not resemble its big brother beneath the skin. Instead of the latter’s rugged ladder-frame construction, the new compact will use Ford’s compact front-wheel-drive platform that underpins the new Focus and Kuga models.
Being a unibody bakkie, there won’t be a traditional 4x4 system with low-range, although range-toppers will almost certainly offer the option of permanent all-wheel-drive.
According to
, the most likely engine options are a pair of turbopetrol units in the form of a 134kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 186kW 2-litre four-cylinder.
While it is expected to be offered in double cab guise, there’s currently no word on whether any single or extended cab variants will be offered.
Although it will inevitably be sold in a variety of global markets, it appears that the new compact will be primarily aimed at South American markets, where it will go up against Volkswagen’s upcoming Tarok.