Following Ford’s decision to trademark “Ranger Super Duty” with the Intellectual Property Office Of The Philippines (IPOPHL) back in March, it became quite clear that the automaker intended to create a more capable version of its mid-size pickup for select markets. That notion was confirmed by The Blue Oval itself this week when it teased the new Ford Ranger Super Duty, which is slated to arrive in 2026 bearing more towing and hauling capability than any pickup in its class, as well as enhanced off-road chops. Now, Ford Authority has spotted a Ford Ranger Super Duty prototype testing for the very first time – in Michigan, of all places.
Though Ford hasn’t yet announced where the Ranger Super Duty will be sold, it did reveal that this heavier-duty model will be built in Thailand, seemingly meaning that it won’t be offered in the U.S. – where the Ranger is built at the Michigan Assembly plant for the domestic market. Regardless, this prototype was spotted testing in Michigan, though this isn’t the first time we’ve seen that happen with an international model not offered in the U.S. In any event, the front end of this prototype does look very similar to the single teaser image that Ford provided this week, with its unique grille flanked by familiar C-clamp shaped headlights. Beneath those features lies an equally beefy-looking high-clearance front bumper and skid plate, too.
Moving down the side, we get a good look at the wider front wheel arches with rear-facing lights present on this Ford Ranger Super Duty prototype, as well as its larger wheels and tires – the former of which sport caps covering the lug nuts, possibly concealing the fact that it will come equipped with more lug nuts than the standard pickup. Interestingly, this prototype is fitted with a snorkel as well, which is an aftermarket piece not currently sold by Ford.
Altogether, these features perfectly mesh with what The Blue Oval has said about the Ford Ranger Super Duty thus far – noting that it’s designed with direct input from fleet customers that need enhanced capability from a mid-size pickup. The Ford Ranger Super Duty is designed to “do things that no other mid-size truck can do,” FoMoCo stated, and the stats it released seem to back up those claims. In fact, the Ranger Super Duty will reportedly offer up 4,500 kilograms (9,920 pounds) of max towing capacity, 4,500 kilograms (9,920 pounds) of gross vehicle mass, and 8,000 kilograms (17,636 pounds) of gross combined mass, which is significantly more than the regular Ranger.
Comments
As well as the increased towing capacity, it would be a mistake not to offer the model in the USA, as it will attract audiences where the competition does not offer such an alternative or offers it for a higher price… if Ford gets the pricing right it could have a accurate product and without cannibalize and lose profit on the F150, which will be left for those who need cargo capacity in addition to the towing offered on the Ranger!
I think the chance of this appearing in the US is near zero. The slice of customers who would prefer this over an F-150 is just too small to make a profit on, and any move that might decrease F-Series sales is probably a hard “No” in Dearborn.
In other markets, there is no upper limit to bump into. The competition is Toyota, Nissan, Great Wall, etc. so it’s wide open. I hope it’s a big success.
It’s either intended for markets where the F-150 and larger are too big (apparently excluding Australia) or an admission that full-sized pickups have gotten too large.