2023 Ford Maverick ST - The ST That Begs to be Made
What replaced the Focus and Fiesta ST? Is it the Explorer and Edge? Nope. Nothing replaced them. It’s almost as if Ford thought that ST owners grew up and wanted big SUVs with automatic transmissions.. It’s like they thought that we would all rush out to our local dealerships and trade in our boy-racer hatchbacks for even bigger SUV’s posing as giant hatchbacks with ST badges on them. Well Ford, You’re wrong. While the Explorer ST is seen often out on the roads, it’s really just a re-badged Explorer Sport, which is used by suburban soccer moms. The Edge ST is a hatchback that someone sneezed in and two things exploded; the size, and the price.
For the owners of the FiST and FoST, we have nothing to looking forward to. Many are holding on tight to our aging hatches, but some of us made the mistake of selling ours. I sold my ST with the intention of getting a newer RS, but by the time I was ready, the RS (and the focus overall) was out of production.
In comes the Ford Maverick. There’s plenty of information on the specs of the hybrid model, but I want to focus in on the 2L Ecoboost. On paper, this sounds like a cross between a Focus RS and ST. 2.0L Ecoboost, All-Wheel-Drive, and a low price point. The only thing that’s missing is a manual transmission option. The 8-speed automatic is a solid transmission that hasn’t been plagued with problems like the Focus and Fusions ATX’s, and having 8 gears is great for keeping you smack-dab in the middle of your power band on the tach. But what would it take to make this a real ST and not just another ST badge slapped on a sport model.
1. Manual Transmission
I know that’ there’s fewer and fewer people that can row through the gears with ease and handle more than two pedals, but for a true enthusiast, having the control of a manual is a must-have. Go ahead and make an automatic option, but it should come standard with a 6-speed manual. If Ford was to do nothing else, and only put a manual transmission in it and an ST badge, It would work.
2. 2.3L Ecoboost AWD
The current European Focus ST has ditched the 2.0L Ecoboost for the more robust 2.3L Ecoboost. This would give the ST a leg-up on the standard 2.0L Ecoboost Mavericks, but would keep costs down since it’s essentially the same motor when it comes to fitting one in. It would be nice to have, but it' wouldn’t be a deal breaker. The AWD system shares much of it’s design with the Focus RS, so having it bolt up to the 2.3L shouldn’t be an issue. All of this should be VERY easy to do.
4. Style
Color match all of the textured plastic, put a new color matched front and rear bumper on with ST DNA in it, add some ST logos on the seats with the option for Reccaros, black housing headlights, ST Honecomb grill, and boom, ya got yourself an ST.
5. Brakes
ST Brakes. If stock Focus ST brakes are larger than stock Maverick brakes, then it most likely will be a direct bolt-on. With the 4k towing package, I have a feeling that the brakes are already the same or larger than the FoST. In that case, use the RS Brembo brakes.
6. Suspension
Lower the truck… bigger sway bars…. stiffer springs…. The ford performance team knows what they’re doing.
This new truck is already a focus underneath. If it takes off as an enthusiest vehicle, the mini-truck is back, and many will be swapping parts intended for a Focus ST onto their Mavericks. It’s not as if the nameplate of Maverick is a stranger to performance.
Take a look at the original Maverick. It wasn’t as big as the Mustang, Torino, Mustang, Mustang II, or any other more performance oriented Ford of the time, but it still has its niche. Restomods including this one in the photo add new technology to these classic frames and can keep up with any muscle car of the time. This Wicked Twin-Turbo 1971 Ford Maverick Was Built To Top 200 MPH!
With that in mind, am I saying that this new Maverick should do 200mph with a massive v8? Nope. not at all. Just make it the replacement for our lost hot-hatch.
Dear Ford, Make the Maverick ST a reality!
