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  Ford Ranger has been caught out and about cruising. Photo Gallery

Spy photos of the next-generation Ford Ranger ute are popping up all over the globe.

After being nabbed near Melbourne several weeks ago, an eagle-eyed reader in Europe has nabbed a UK-registered ute, sans disguise, somewhere in the sunny northern hemisphere.

The ute, codenamed the T6, has been designed and engineered by Ford Australia, which took a lead role in the car's development.

The next-generation Ranger has grown in size over the current Ranger, which shares much with the Mazda BT50.

Insiders say the ute, which will be available in both four-door cab and two-door cab designs, is closer in size to the Ford F150.

The Ranger, which will be available with both diesel and petrol engines and two and four-wheel drive, will be sold into Ford's global markets and go head-to-head against the domineering Toyota HiLux.

It is expected to be sold in more than 70 countries and a version could even head to the US.

As the photo shows, the utility has grown in width, with a wider track, bigger payload and a more pedestrian friendly front-end.

The existing Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 are based on a 10-year-old design. The ute is the second locally developed Ford for the world.

Ford Australia played a lead role in the development of the Indian-developed Ford Fiesta sedan.