Ford Ranger Super Duty confirmed

A ‘Super Duty’ version of the Ranger is set to take on the likes of RAM, the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra.

Ford is set to expand its line-up with a heavy-duty Ranger aimed at Toyota’s LandCruiser ute and the RAM 1500.

The upcoming Ford Ranger Super Duty shapes up as a heavily-upgraded version of the best-selling Ranger ute, modified to take on a tougher class of cars.

Capable of towing up to 4.5 tonnes, the Ranger Super Duty hauls 1000kg more than regular Ranger models, and two tonnes more than the high-performance Raptor.

Ford is working on an even tougher version of the Ranger. Photo: Supplied

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Revised suspension helps carry a significantly upgraded gross vehicle mass of 4500kg, up from 3350kg in the Ranger Wildtrak.

An impressive gross combined mass when towing of 8000kg is 1600kg more than most Ranger variants.

Ford pitches the Super Duty as a mobile powerhouse capable of carrying substantial payloads while also towing maximum loads, without compromising its off-road capabilities.

The Ranger Super Duty is intended to take on cars above its usual competitive set. Photo: Mark Bean.

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Full technical details for the model are not available.

Of the engines currently available in the Ranger line-up, the 3.0-litre, 180kW and 600Nm turbo diesel V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission could be the best fit.

It will sit alongside the new Ford Ranger Stormtrak plug-in hybrid in a revamped range.

The model represents a breakthrough for Ford Australia, and the first time the “Super Duty” badge has been applied to a car developed outside North America.

Ford's US arm has a range of ‘Super Duty’ models. Picture: Supplied

The car will be shaped by the blue oval’s local product development team, which includes 1500 engineers, designers and specialists in Australia.

As with the regular Ranger, it will be manufactured in Thailand for sale around the world.

Ford insiders expect the beefed-up Ranger to be a hit with several industries including the forestry, mining and emergency services.

Andrew Birkic, president and chief executive for Ford Australia and New Zealand, said the Super Duty is ready for “all kinds of work”.

Expect the Ford Ranger Super Duty to deliver for commercial customers. Photo: Supplied

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“As we move closer to launch, we will continue to work closely with fleets and vehicle modifiers across Australia to be sure that Ranger Super Duty does everything they expect it to, and so much more,” he said.

Sondra Sutton Phung, general manager of global trucks for Ford, said the Ranger Super Duty “blends the smart features and advanced safety of our award-winning Ranger with heavy-duty capability and delivers what our buyers told us they needed but couldn’t get anywhere else”.

“This work-ready vehicle will give owners the flexibility they need to get the big jobs done, with the confidence of a factory-backed warranty,” she said.

The Ranger Super Duty could benefit from clever features found in the Ranger line-up, including overhead accessory switches, easily accessed side steps, and the Ford Pass smartphone app.

Four-wheel-drive and high-riding suspension should offer impressive ground clearance, water wading and off-road traction.

The model looks set to complement the US-sourced Ford F-150 rather the replacing it.

The F-150 is positioned as a pseudo-luxury machine priced from $117,000 drive-away, while the Ranger Super Duty looks set to be a work-focused truck at a lower price point.

– with David McCowen