We’ve seen bakkies. We’ve driven bakkies. Some of us have even named our bakkies. But every now and then, something rolls out of the wild that makes even the most rugged of double-cabs look like they belong in a shopping mall parking lot next to a Prius. Enter the Ford Ranger Super Duty—a beast so bold, it makes a rhino look like a kitten in a tutu.

Recently unveiled by Ford Australia (because apparently, they like to tease us), this industrial-strength Ranger isn’t just for show. It’s not some flashy “special edition” with a few black stickers and an upgraded cupholder. No, this thing’s been beefed up like it’s preparing to bench press an elephant.

Let’s break it down:

It’s taller.

It’s wider.

It’s angrier.

With 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres, a wider track, and ground clearance that makes mountain goats nervous, this thing was clearly built for a life far beyond tar roads. The tow rating? 4,500 kg. That’s enough to yank your off-road trailer, your mate’s boat, and his ego—all at once.

But Ford didn’t stop there. They’ve gone full Mad Max on this one:

Heavy-duty rear axle (biggest and baddest ever fitted to a Ranger).
Upgraded front and rear driveshafts.
Reinforced steel bash plates underneath—because rocks happen.
And a 130-litre fuel tank, protected by steel.

Still not impressed? It also comes with onboard payload sensors that’ll tell you if you’re overpacking again. And if reversing with a trailer usually ends with divorce threats and emotional trauma, fear not—the Pro Trailer Backup Assist can store up to 10 trailers and remembers how to handle each one. It’s like the bakkie version of your grandpa who used to reverse a caravan with a cigarette in his mouth and one finger on the wheel.

Powering this tank is Ford’s trusty 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, though Ford’s keeping mum on the final power figures. But let’s be honest—it’s probably got more torque than a rugby scrum and enough grunt to climb the Drakensberg backwards.

Now here’s the kicker: It’s launching in Australia in 2026. Yup, our mates down under get the goods first. Meanwhile, we South Africans are stuck peering over the fence like the neighbour who wasn’t invited to the braai.

Ford SA hasn’t said a word about bringing the Super Duty here… but come on, guys. We’ve got the Karoo, Hilux, D-Max, Kalahari and what is one more. We’ve got 4,500 kg of towing dreams. This bakkie belongs here.

So until it lands on our shores, we’ll just be here waiting in anticipation.

The Ford Ranger Super Duty: Coming to South Africa?

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