Ford F-150 Lobo: A Street-Ready Performance Beast

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Ford is reportedly working on a street-oriented performance truck called the F-150 Lobo, which will be a standalone trim level with a lowered suspension system and a sinister and aggressive exterior design. The engine is not confirmed yet but could potentially be a powerful V8 or a twin-turbo V6. Ford will unveil the updated 2024 F-150 at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show and if the rumor is accurate, we can expect to learn more about the F-150 Lobo at that time.

FutureCar Staff Aug 31, 2023 4:44 PM PT

Ford F-150 Lobo: A Street-Ready Performance Beast

High-performance pickups designed for the road rather than off-roading have become scarce, but Ford is reportedly planning to revive the segment. According to a new report, the company is working on a version of the F-150 called Lobo, which is said to have the characteristics of a hot rod with a cargo box.

This is not the first time Ford has used the Lobo name. The automaker previously sold two generations of the F-150 Lightning, from 1993 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2004. However, in 2023, the Lightning name will be used for the electric variant of the F-150, so the upcoming high-performance model will allegedly be called Lobo, a name historically used for the F-150 sold in Mexico.

According to inside sources cited by Ford Authority, the Lobo will be offered as a standalone trim level, similar to the Raptor, rather than just an appearance package. It will feature a lowered suspension system and a "sinister and aggressive" exterior design, setting it apart from other models in the lineup. Specific details such as available cab configurations have not been revealed.

While it is too early to confirm the engine options for the F-150 Lobo, it is expected to have a powerful engine to match its muscular appearance. The base 3.3-liter V6 with 290 horsepower is unlikely to be the choice for this high-performance model. Potential options include the 5.0-liter V8 with 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, or the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, which is currently used in the entry-level F-150 Raptor.

It remains to be seen whether the Lobo will be rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The previous generations of the F-150 Lightning were rear-wheel-drive, as were many high-performance pickups from the 1990s.

Ford has confirmed that the updated 2024 F-150 will be unveiled at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show in September. However, the company has not commented on the report or officially announced plans for a Lobo model. If the rumors are true, more information about the 2024 F-150 Lobo may be revealed at the auto show, with sales expected to begin shortly after.