As GM Authority reported previously, General Motors’ crosstown rival, Ford Motor Company, has announced a new Ranger Super Duty model for international markets, including Australia and New Zealand, with vehicle production slated to take place in Thailand. The upcoming pickup will deliver higher towing and payload than the standard midsize Ranger, and presently, GM has no equivalent in any market. Now, a new Ranger Super Duty prototype has been spotted wearing a set of F-250 wheels.
As reported by our sister publication, Ford Authority, the Ranger Super Duty prototype was recently spotted in Dearborn, Michigan, and was equipped with several intriguing details that underline its enhanced capabilities.
The truck’s uncovered front end shows design similarities to the current Ranger, but with a few key upgrades. The wheel arches, for example, are reminiscent of the Ranger Raptor, while a skid plate is seen under the nose.
Most notably, however, the prototype was fitted with eight-lug wheels borrowed from the Ford F-250 Super Duty. These wheels, combined with 33-inch General Grabber tires, suggest that the Ranger Super Duty will incorporate genuine heavy-duty components, rather than simply borrow the Super Duty name.
Indeed, the Ranger Super Duty is expected to deliver a towing capacity up to 9,920 pounds, significantly outclassing the North American Ranger’s 7,500-pound maximum rating and positioning it as a versatile option for buyers in need of more performance than what the standard midsize truck can offer, but without stepping up to a full-size model.
Additional details spotted on the prototype include rear-facing lights on the inner front fenders. While subtle, this feature should add a functional enhancement that improves usability in real-world conditions.
The Ranger Super Duty will be sold alongside the F-150 in international markets, including Australia and New Zealand. The new midsizer is currently scheduled to launch for the 2026 model year, and is shaping up to be a strong addition to Ford’s lineup. However, it’s unclear at this time if the new, more-capable Ranger will be available in markets where GM already offers the Chevy Colorado and S10, such as South America.
Comments
Yes. This is exactly what is needed. You know, for all those times these drivers actually (don’t) use their trucks like trucks. What a silly and stupid thing. Let’s make them bigger, heavier, less efficient and more expensive.
The only thing worse is the guy or lady driving their HD pickup trucks on the freeway as a commuter to/from work. Man, I can’t wait for the day when gas prices hit $7.00 per gallon and never come down.
Are you ok?
Doesn’t seem like a terribly bad idea. Often times a truck with a smaller footprint just fits better for certain kinds of jobs vs a full-size. Plus them offering this in a much more “work truck/fleet” means that it’ll be able to be marketed in a way that wont interfere too much with F-150 in the limited markets they’ll be offered alongside one another. Honestly, IF the marketing can be worked out properly, other than production locations, I don’t see why a mid-size SuperDuty wouldn’t sell well in the States.
I think Izuzu and maybe Chevrolet should make heavier duty versions of the D Max and S10 Colorado as well…
Equip w/ a diesel engine!
The Colorado S10 and the Izuzu D Max already have diesel engines, although different ones.
Izuzu has the venerable 4JJ1 which is exceptionally reliable aside from emissions problems and some other things. The 2.8 has been in production for a long while now, since 2012. The 2nd D Max came in 2011 , and that is still in production (13 years now). Given how Izuzu KNOWS to make diesel trucks, they can easily make an HD version of the D Max, which will also have better QC than this Ford might….