The upgraded Ford Ranger Super Duty ute has been spotted on Australian roads, testing in single-cab and extra-cab guises before next year’s launch.
The 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty has been spotted testing in Australia, seen in new single-cab-chassis and extra-cab-chassis formats for the first time globally.
Images and a video posted to the Official Next-Gen Ranger Group Australia on Facebook show partly camouflaged, single-cab and extra-cab Ranger Super Duty utes testing in Victoria ahead of its launch in 2026, promising an upgraded 4500kg tow rating among other heavy-duty upgrades.
They are believed to be the first sightings of the new Ford ute on camera in Australia, after a dual-cab-chassis model was captured testing in November 2024 in the United States near Ford’s global headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
The latest spy images indicate the single-cab-chassis Super Duty will add a tubed side stirrup step to its tray ahead of the rear wheels – similar to what is seen on the genuine heavy-duty tray for a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series single-cab – while its Ranger Raptor-like black side steps have been shortened.
It is unclear if Ford intends to introduce pick-up versions with a tub, with dual-cab-chassis, extra-cab-chassis, and single-cab-chassis bodies being the only examples spotted so far.
Ford has confirmed the Ranger Super Duty is due in 2026 with a 4500kg braked towing capacity – matching the larger Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 pick-ups – a 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), and an 8000kg Gross Combined Mass (GCM).
Current diesel Ford Rangers have a 3500kg braked towing capacity, a GVM ranging between 3230kg and 3350kg, and a maximum GCM of 6400kg for variants with the 3.0-litre diesel V6.
The Super Duty is expected to feature the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 found in the current Ranger – given its focus on carrying heavier loads – however it could receive upgrades to increase its outputs beyond 184kW and 600Nm.
While Ford has not revealed additional details – beyond confirmation of an eight-stud wheel pattern – the spy images out of the US and Australia indicate the Super Duty will gain front suspension components from the Raptor, including cast alloy front control arms.
The rear differential also appears to be larger than a standard Ranger, while the Super Duty will retain a leaf-sprung rear axle.
A 50-millimetre wider wheel track is tipped with broader arches – matching the Raptor – while the Super Duty appears to gain a standard-fit snorkel.
Ford has confirmed the upgraded ute will have an eight-stud wheel hub – helping it to achieve its uprated braked towing and Gross Vehicle Mass figures – while it appears to have an 18-inch steel wheel and 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres.
MORE: 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty caught on camera with major upgrades
Other utes – including the standard Ford Ranger and full-size models like the F-150 – have six-stud wheels, while passenger cars have a four- or five-stud pattern.
Eight-stud patterns are usually reserved for heavy-duty full-size pick-ups and medium-duty trucks, such as the Ram 2500 and Isuzu F Series.
Styling revisions appear to include an off-road-style front bumper with underbody protection, a unique grille pattern, and larger side mirrors, while the spied single-cab-chassis has LED headlights – unlike the current Ranger XL single-cab-chassis with its halogen units.
The Ford Ranger Super Duty is due to launch in Australia in 2026, with more information due to be shared in the lead-up to its formal unveiling expected later this year.
The post 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty spied in Australia as single-cab and extra-cab appeared first on Drive.