Toyota, BYD and Kia's new nightmare! 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty breaks cover in world-first Australian off-road towing-workhorse/weekender-wonder ute

Ford has announced its strongest and most capable Ranger yet in the shape of the new Super Duty line-up.

Little has been revealed for now, since sales won’t commence until 2026, but Ford has confirmed a breakthrough 4500kg towing capacity, as well as 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and 8000kg Gross Combined Mass (GCM) ratings.

Today’s Ranger XLT model’s corresponding figures are 3500kg, 3280kg and 6400kg respectively – and numbers-wise that’s one of the better choices for vehicles this size.

The Ranger Super Duty is a world-first for any product outside of the full-sized F-Series truck to bear the badge – though certain Australians may remember the F-250 Super Duty available here from 2001 to 2006.

Aimed at big industry, government departments, emergency services, farmers and private buyers alike, created for “big jobs” straight off the showroom floor and backed by a full Ford warranty, the factory-built Ranger Super Duty has been designed and engineered in Australia by a team of about 1500 people.

This highlights an expected, elevated level of change as well as capability compared to the regular Ranger that’s been out since 2022.

“Ford Ranger Super Duty will deliver next-level, work-ready capability to serve the toughest customers when it arrives in 2026,” Ford revealed.

“Born from direct collaboration with fleet customers, Ranger Super Duty is a new mid-size truck that can do things no other mid-size truck can do.

“It has been engineered and designed to deliver the higher levels of GVM, GCM, towing and enhanced off-road capability required by those who need it, including emergency service operators, farmers, utilities and forestry workers, miners, infrastructure technicians, and many more.”

Described as a “work-ready vehicle” first and foremost, Ford adds the Ranger Super Duty will not scrimp on key safety and convenience features in its quest to go and do what no midsized ute has been able to do before straight out of the factory.

“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,” according to the Ford Motor Company General Manager of Global Truck, Sondra Sutton Phung.

“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.”

To be manufactured at the same Thai facility as most Australian-bound Ranger models (the coming PHEV will be sourced from South Africa), the Super Duty appears to be a work-in-progress, which may explain why it is still up to two years away from launch.

“Ranger Super Duty further strengthens our commercial vehicle portfolio, with an offering for all kinds of work,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO, Andrew Birkic.

“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.”

Obviously, then, there is a far bigger and greater story to tell here, so stay tuned to CarsGuide.com.au to find out more in the coming weeks and months.

The Ranger Super Duty sounds like it might be worth the wait.