Our corporate siblings have stumbled across a patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that seems to suggest Ford will be bringing back the “Splash” name.
It could be set for use with either the Ranger and/or the all-new Maverick.
The application says it’s for: “Motor vehicles, namely, automobiles, pick-up trucks, electric vehicles, sport utility vehicles, off-road vehicles, and their structural parts; vehicle equipment package consisting of wheels, exterior body parts and seats”.
That latter part suggests to us that the Splash will be a street-performance truck like it was as part of the Ranger line back in the ’90s. It could also be electrified in some way. Then again, the application also lists off-road and SUV use.
Maybe Splash will become a package or trim offered across the Ford lineup, perhaps as a street-performer (maybe hybrid or EV) in some cases and more off-road oriented in others?
We shall see. But with the return of Maverick and now the report of the use of the name Splash, everything old is really starting to feel new. Trends really are cyclical, eh?
[Image: Ford]
I will be impressed if they do a sport / street truck. My first pickup was a V6 Ranger Splash back in the day and love the idea of a compact and sporty truck. Its one of the reasons I am passing on the current Ranger and looking at the Santa Cruz. The Maverick doesn’t have the look or power I want. I just don’t understand these high riding, off road focused trucks. Especially since they spend 99% of their time on-road. I assume most buy them just for the cool factor and bragging rights.
Amphibious.
Dear Ford,
Do it, you cowards.
Sincerely,
F.L.F.Face, Esq.
Daryl Hannah could do the ads (with soundtrack by Neil Young?).
So we are getting a stepside Maverick? Because that and some awesomely 90s colors and graphics were the defining trait as I recall.
It also had a different grille and was lowered from the factory with chrome wheels. Mine was black with day-glow orange “SPLASH” graphics… it was totally rad dude.
IMO, a factory-lowered Ranger could be more compelling than the Maverick.
If the current Ranger was lower I might have already bought one. Standing next to one I was immediately put off by its bed height. During my wait for an aftermarket lowering kit Hyundai released what I actual want (the Santa Cruz). According to the Ranger5g forum Bell Techs kit was due to be released today.
Umm, it’s a trademark, not a patent. You can’t patent a name…
Wondering where the trademark for “Splash” in Europe wound up. Suzuki sold a Splash until 2014 in Europe, but that vehicle was also sold as a Vauxhall and Opel (at the time GM). With the 1.2 it was actually a great little car; it didn’t sell as well as it should have given it drove well, handled well, sipped fuel and was relatively well designed inside at a bargain price.
[At the freight train station, somewhere near Detroit:]
“Hey, look at this, Leo! How come all the Splash pickups are comin’ from the factory with those flashy “Salpicadura” stickers on ’em?!”
Vauxhall and Opel’s version of the Splash was called the Aglia.
It used different petrol engines than the Splash, a 1.0 3-cyl and 1.2 4-cyl borrowed from the Corsa, whereas the Splash used engines shared with the Suzuki Swift. I believe both were also offered with Fiat’s 1.3 turbo diesel.
Industry-first factory in-bed Jacuzzi?
One of those “fun” names by which manufacturers try to make people feel nicer feelings about low-end trims, usually by adding interesting colors and a flashy appearance option or two.
So what’s it going to be? A base Maverick with flashy wheels and wetsuit-material upholstery? A base Ranger with body-color bumpers and a small factory lift? Those are the sort of products you’d expect. It sure won’t be a $60k trim of the F-150.
It’s not just for fun. Base/work trucks stick out like a sore thumb, in nicer neighborhoods. The STX package appears upper-trim, but can be had with crank window if that’s what you’re into.
Not sure you want to be splashing around an EV.
This Ford generates 13,800 volts and spends much of its time in contact with undistilled water:
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/what-makes-americas-new-ford-class-aircraft-carrier-truly-19648