Ford is pushing the boundaries of durability with its new Ranger Super Duty, a midsize truck designed for overseas markets. This rugged model sacrifices comfort for capability, making it ideal for tough jobs that would retire most vehicles early. The Ranger Super Duty is set to be the toughest in the Ranger lineup, excelling in towing and payload capacity.
Recently, Ford showcased the intense development testing of the Ranger Super Duty at the You Yangs Proving Ground in Australia. The truck underwent a grueling series of trials on a punishing test track, preparing it for real-world challenges. To ensure the truck’s resilience, Ford employed a specialized robot to drive the prototypes, subjecting them to extreme conditions without human intervention.
The robot-driven Ranger Super Duty navigated the Silver Creek durability track, loaded to its maximum capacity of 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs). This track is peppered with 300 randomly placed bumps of various shapes and sizes, testing the truck’s structural integrity under relentless stress. The robot tirelessly pounded through the course, simulating years of wear and tear in a fraction of the time.
Justin Capicchiano, program manager for the Ranger Super Duty, emphasized the significance of the testing, stating that the Silver Creek track is designed to push the truck to its limits, replicating a decade’s worth of punishment in harsh driving conditions.
Aside from its durability, the Ranger Super Duty boasts a distinct visual identity, featuring wider fender flares, chunky all-terrain tires, and a set of exclusive exterior elements. Under the hood, the truck sports a reinforced chassis, higher ground clearance, and enhanced off-road capabilities, including differential locks for improved performance on rugged terrains.
Powered by a revised 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, the Ranger Super Duty can now tow up to 4,500 kg (9,921 pounds), surpassing the standard model by 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds). Despite its impressive features, Ford has confirmed that the Ranger Super Duty will not be available in North America, targeting select markets like Australia instead.
With its robust design and enhanced capabilities, the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty represents a new benchmark in the midsize truck segment. By pushing the boundaries of durability and performance, Ford is setting a new standard for rugged workhorses tailored for demanding environments.
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