Tremor Time: Ford Adds Another Trim to Maverick

It’s not unusual for an automaker to begin mining a successful sub-brand for every shred of credibility it has managed to accrue. Witness the rapid expansion of the Denali line at GMC, for example. Across town, Ford has seen the Tremor trim on its pickup trucks secure a decent take rate in this wonky market, so they’ve decided to hurl it at the little Maverick as well.

For those of you with the memory of a goldfish, we’ll remind you the F-150 Tremor has just over an inch of extra ground clearance and a dash more wheel travel than a standard F-150 4x4. A wider stance helps with stability off-road and cred in the parking lot. It would be a bridge too far to call it a Raptor Lite but toss in some all-terrain tires plus a few orange-hued styling accents and it’ll serve the needs of most shoppers in this market.

As does the Maverick. Ford’s pint-sized pickup is, truth be told, enough truck for a wide swath of people looking for something with four doors and an open bed. This new Tremor package takes a hint of that off-road concept and applies it to the Mav, kind of like when you toss a dash of your favorite wing spice on the mac & cheese. Like the other trucks, Tremor is a package that can be layered on top of XLT and Lariat trims.

It includes a 1-inch lift for better ground clearance, a fettling of drive modes to include Trail Control which is Ford’s take on what is essentially off-road cruise control, and what’s being described as an “off-road-tailored” suspension comprised of Tremor-specific front and rear springs and shocks. Tires are shown as 235/65R17 all-terrains, a size already available as an option prior to Tremor appearing.

Underneath is an all-wheel-drive system new to the Maverick. It packs a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock feature which should permit a dose of off-road fun. Ford says it can divert virtually all rear axle torque to either wheel, though stop short of saying it can divert all its power aft for tail-out shenanigans. Powering the Maverick Tremor is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost lashed to an eight-speed automatic.

Payload checks in at 1,200 pounds which is 300lbs less than other Mavericks; curb weight jumps to 3,800lbs which is up about 100 compared to every other all-wheel drive trim. And for anyone keeping track, Tremor’s approach angle is 30.7 degrees, a good 9 degrees more than a stock all-wheel-drive Mav. Total ground clearance is 9.4 inches, and the release expressly states those skid plates are made of steel. We’ll find out when we drive it.

The now-familiar Tremor Orange accents pop up on this truck in the usual places – grille, tow hooks, and interior trim to name a few. A further Appearance Package adds exterior addenda painted Carbonized Gray plus a smear of graphics on the hood and lower body. 

Ford says the Tremor Off-Road Package will cost $2,995 while the Tremor Appearance Package – which you don’t need – costs $1,495. Both packages are available for ordering in September and production begins this fall.

[Images: Ford]

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