Ford Ranger Super Duty Debuts Down Under
You’ll have to travel to the other end of the Earth to get your hands on the toughest Ford Ranger ever built.
The first Ford Ranger Super Duty has been revealed in Australia, where it was developed. It’s based on the Global Ranger that’s sold outside of the U.S.. The two trucks are similar, but not the same.
“We listened to what the hardest working fleet operators told us they needed to be more productive, and we’ve developed a Ranger with heavy-duty hardware and enhanced capability to stay on the job longer and help get it done sooner,” Jim Baumbick, Ford vice president, advanced product development, cycle planning and programs said in a news release. “We are taking global midsize truck capability to a whole new level, straight from the factory.”
Ford says it has a “thinker, stronger chassis” than the regular Ranger. It comes powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel that drives heavy duty axles with locking front and rear differentials through a 10-speed automatic transmission and two-speed transfer case It rides on 33-inch tires and has upsized brakes and eight-lug wheels.
The exact power rating hasn’t been released, but the same engine makes 247 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque in other Ranger models. A snorkel air intake is standard and the front bumper is a frame-mounted steel unit for extra protection in work environments and off-road, while a bash plate and additional coverage protect the underbody.
Unlike the U.S. market Ranger, which is only offered as a crew cab pickup, the Ranger Super Duty is available in double cab pickup, double cab chassis and single cab chassis configurations. The latter two were designed to be upfitted with tray beds and other service bodies to match their intended use.
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If that happens to be towing, the Ranger Super Duty is rated for 4,500 kg, or 9921 pounds compared to the standard Global Ranger’s 7,500-pound max, which is the same as the U.S. model.
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Pricing and a release date have not yet been confirmed. Unfortunately for Americans looking for a little truck that can haul like a big one, Ford has not announced any plans for a U.S. version of the Ranger Super Duty … yet.