The Ford Ranger Super Duty is the pickup’s most capable variant

Ford just can’t seem to run out of new variants for its popular Ranger, this time with the reveal of the Ranger Super Duty in Australia.

Fans of the blue oval brand will know that Super Duty is a range of heavy-duty variants of the full-size F-Series line. Now with the Ranger having its own Super Duty version, Ford is giving more capability and a more macho appearance.

Setting it apart in the looks department is its brawnier appearance which shows that hauling need not be utilitarian, basic, nor boring.

It gets a distinct front grille, a bulky front overrider, sculpted hood with the ‘Super Duty’ name stamped on it, paired with wide fender flares, a snorkel, and unique 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in General Grabber all-terrain tires.

The interior on the other hand is largely similar to mid-grade Ranger variants with hard-wearing plastics instead of soft-touch surfaces, fabric seats, and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system. Setting it apart is the ‘Super Duty’ name stamped on the front passenger airbag cover.

And while many buyers will want it because of how it looks, it’s what’s underneath that matters because that’s the whole point of the Ranger Super Duty.

For starters, powering the Ford Ranger Super Duty is the Wildtrak’s 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 turbodiesel engine. Exact output figures have not been announced but we can expect this to be more than what it already makes on the Wildtrak. For reference, that’s already at 250 horsepower and 600 Nm.

Six selectable drive modes are available: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl. It also comes standard with Ford’s advanced four-wheel drive system, coming with a 4A (Automatic 4WD) as the permanent setting.

For longer driving range, the fuel tank capacity has been increased from 80 liters to 130 liters. In addition, the fuel tank gets a thick steel shield for protection. The engine, front differential and transfer case, and transmission are also protected by steel bash plates to prevent damage when off-roading.

But what’s a Ford Super Duty without hauling capability? The Ranger Super Duty has a 4,500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM), along with a larger 4,500kg towing capacity, and 8,000kg gross combined mass (GCM). For those who don’t know, GVM is the maximum allowable weight of any vehicle (including any load) while GCM is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle with a trailer in tow.

There’s also a stronger front and rear driveshaft, along with a new heavy-duty rear axle. Its rear differential is also larger and built stronger.

Ford’s Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales also makes its debut in the Ranger Super Duty. The former helps customers better adjust the load in the trailer to ensure optimum load distribution. The latter help customers estimate their payload as they add items to their vehicle through sensors mounted on the suspension.

Availability of the Ford Ranger Super Duty will begin in Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand in 2026. As for the Philippines, there might be no market for a higher-spec cargo hauler like this but who knows, pickup truck enthusiasts might want it for its capability. Should Ford Philippines bring it in?

Photos from Ford