Ford's Ranger Super Duty to arrive in South Africa in 2027

The first Ford Ranger Super Duty is set to arrive in South Africa during 2027, with the range being introduced in phases.

It will be available in Single Chassis Cab, Super Chassis Cab, Double Cab Chassis Cab and Double Cab body styles. Ford says the Ranger Super Duty has been engineered for customers who require greater carrying and towing capability for demanding commercial, agricultural, mining and recreational applications.

"We listened to what the hardest-working customers told us they needed, and we've developed a vehicle with heavy-duty hardware and enhanced capability that allows them to stay on the job longer and get it done sooner," said Ryan Searle, Director of Sales Operations at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (Manufacturing) (Pty) Ltd. "We are taking global mid-size truck capability to a whole new level straight from the factory, creating a unique offering for South African Ranger customers."

With a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4,500kg, the Ranger Super Duty is classified as a Code 10 (C1) vehicle in South Africa. Ford says this provides customers requiring higher towing capacity with a factory-built solution.

Tougher and more durable - The Ranger Super Duty underwent an extensive durability testing programme before production.

According to Searle, the vehicle completed an enhanced mud-pack test designed to simulate mining and recreational conditions, with up to 600kg of mud attached beneath the vehicle while remaining fully operational. Some durability testing was so demanding that Ford Australia used autonomous driving robots to conduct continuous testing at the You Yangs Proving Ground, replicating harsh dry riverbed conditions.

The Ranger Super Duty also completed corrosion testing, towing dynamometer testing, shaker rig testing, extensive off-road evaluation and prolonged low-speed, low-range driving under heavy loads.

Increased towing capability - According to Ford, the Ranger Super Duty offers the highest towing capacity of any factory-built mid-size bakkie.

It features Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which simplifies reversing with a trailer by using a yaw-rate sensor to help control trailer angle. The system can store settings for up to 10 trailers and requires calibration only once for each trailer. The vehicle is also equipped with Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales.

Smart Hitch helps drivers determine towball weight and optimise trailer load distribution to prevent overloading or underloading. A standard towball supports towing loads of up to 3,500kg, while an upgraded towball is available for customers requiring the vehicle's maximum 4,500kg towing capacity. Suspension-mounted sensors allow the Onboard Scales system to estimate payload as cargo is added. Drivers can monitor vehicle loading through the SYNC infotainment system.

Stronger chassis – Although it shares the Ranger's overall dimensions, the Ranger Super Duty uses a reinforced ladder frame with thicker steel and strengthened suspension, body and towbar mounting points to support its 4,500kg GVM.

Ford has also fitted stronger front and rear driveshafts and a new heavy-duty rear axle with what it describes as the largest and strongest rear differential ever installed in a production Ranger. The vehicle rides on eight-stud wheel hubs with larger wheel bolts to improve load distribution.

The Ranger Super Duty has also been designed to accommodate specialised equipment and aftermarket conversions through Ford Converter, allowing customers to adapt the vehicle for a range of commercial applications. "These enhancements enable the Ranger Super Duty to carry and tow heavier loads than any other factory-built mid-size bakkie," said Searle. "The larger, stronger components also improve durability and reliability, which we know our customers value."

Built for demanding conditions - Power comes from Ford's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine producing 154kW and 600Nm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford says improved cooling enhances temperature management under heavy loads and during prolonged off-road driving.

A 130-litre fuel tank is fitted as standard, while heavy-duty steel shielding protects the tank against damage during off-road use. Additional high-strength steel bash plates protect the engine, front differential, transfer case, transmission and fuel tank. "With enhanced capability and designed for hard work, we know the Ranger Super Duty will be pushed to its limits in some of the toughest environments," said Searle.

Engineers have also positioned the differential, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank breathers higher to improve water-crossing capability. The Ranger Super Duty offers a water-wading depth of 850mm and almost 300mm of ground clearance.

Its two-speed transfer case features strengthened internal components and an upgraded low-range gearset for improved durability in demanding terrain. Front and rear locking differentials are fitted as standard across the range, while the front differential has been strengthened to handle increased loads. "The Ranger Super Duty is the sum of all its parts, and we're confident that whether your work is demanding or you're an adventurer exploring remote terrain, it will get you there and back again," Searle said.

Pricing - Ford says pricing has not yet been finalised, with final pricing to be confirmed closer to the vehicle's South African launch in 2027.

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