Ford Ranger Super Duty: The toughest pickup truck for Australia

Ford will launch the 2026 Ranger Super Duty, its toughest Ranger pickup truck yet, in Australia in 2026. The truck was tested using autonomous robots due to the extreme conditions. The Super Duty name, previously exclusive to the F-Series in the US, is now applied to the Ranger for global markets, beginning with Australia.

The Ranger Super Duty will be available in Single, Super, and Double Cab Chassis variants initially, with a Double Cab style-side box following by mid-2026. It will be available in standard Ranger Super Duty and Super Duty XLT trims. Booking for the vehicle in Australia will open by end 2025.

Ford states that the Ranger Super Duty has been put to rigorous testing, including a week-long continuous run at the You Yangs Proving Grounds Silver Creek to simulate a rocky riverbed. Autonomous robots were utilized for this test due to its demanding nature. The truck also underwent a mud pack test simulating mine work, carrying 600 kilograms of mud.


Ford says it aims to cater to tough jobs in mining and remote outback areas with the new model. The company claims it incorporated feedback from fleet operators to enhance productivity and durability.

The rigorous testing was conducted to ensure the Ranger Super Duty lives up to the reputation of the F-Series Super Duty.

The Ranger Super Duty boasts a 4500kg towing capacity, a 4500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM), and an 8000kg gross combined mass. It features a 130-litre long-range fuel tank with steel shielding and additional underbody protection.

The truck is powered by Ford's 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine, engineered to meet future emissions standards. It's equipped with features like on-board scales, a sealed snorkel, front and rear diff locks, heavy-duty axles, and modifications to the suspension and chassis compared to the standard Ranger.

Following the Australian launch, the Ranger Super Duty will be released in other international markets, including Thailand, where it will be manufactured.