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Ford Creates ‘Monster’ Pickup That Only a Robot Could Test: Extreme Resistance Took Down Human Drivers

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published on 17/06/2025 at 09:47
Updated on 17/06/2025 at 13:54
Nova Ford Ranger Super Duty é tão extrema que só um robô conseguiu testá-la. Picape chega com 4.500 kg de reboque e robustez inédita.
Nova Ford Ranger Super Duty é tão extrema que só um robô conseguiu testá-la. Picape chega com 4.500 kg de reboque e robustez inédita.
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The Most Extreme Version Of The Ford Ranger Pickup Requires A Robot For Durability Testing And May Redefine The Concept Of Robustness When Facing Unprecedented Challenges On A Special Track Built In Australia To Simulate Years Of Severe Use.

The Ford Presented The Ranger Super Duty, a Reinforced Mid-Size Pickup Designed To Push The Limits Of Robustness, Requiring Even A Robot Driver In Its Extreme Tests.

At The Silver Creek Track, In You Yangs Proving Ground, Australia, The Model Was Subjected To Conditions So Severe That Ten Years Of Heavy Operation Were Simulated In Just A Few Days — A Groundbreaking Technical Achievement In The Category.

An Autonomous Robot Drove The Ranger Super Duty Continuously, 24 Hours A Day.

More Than 300 Random Obstacles Were Encountered, With Up To 2,000 Suspension Movements Per Lap.

The Intensity Of The Impacts Was Comparable To A Decade Of Severe Use In Extreme Commercial Environments.

Justin Capicchiano, Program Manager, Classified The Silver Creek Track As “The Most Demanding Man-Made Durability Track.”

He Highlighted That “The Forces Acting On The Truck When Loaded Become Even More Brutal.”

The Adoption Of The Robot Allowed For Total Consistency In Testing, Eliminating Human Variables Such As Fatigue Or Driving Differences.

This Type Of Test Ensures That All Components Of The Pickup Endure Rigorous Industry Standards.

The New Ford Ranger Super Duty Is So Extreme That Only A Robot Could Test It. The Pickup Arrives With 4,500 Kg Of Towing Capacity And Unprecedented Robustness.
The New Ford Ranger Super Duty Is So Extreme That Only A Robot Could Test It. The Pickup Arrives With 4,500 Kg Of Towing Capacity And Unprecedented Robustness.

Reinforced Structure And Extended Range

Reinforced Chassis With Protective Plates Under The Engine, Transmission, And Differential Ensures Durability In Hostile Terrain.

The Fuel Tank With A Capacity Of 130 Liters Ensures Greater Range, Especially In Remote Areas.

Engine And Transmission Tailored For Severe Use

The Super Duty Comes With A 3.0 L PowerStroke V6 Turbo Diesel Engine With Up To 184 Kw (Approximately 250 Hp) And A Torque Of 600 Nm.

This Configuration Is Similar To What Is Used In Versions Of The Ranger Wildtrak.

The 10-Speed Automatic Transmission Has Been Calibrated For Heavy-Duty Missions.

It Includes Modes Such As Tow/Haul, Eco, Mud, Sand, And Rock Crawl.

Unmatched Load And Towing Capacity

YouTube Video

The Towing Capacity With Brakes Reaches 4,500 Kg, Exceeding The Conventional Ranger Version By 1,000 Kg.

The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) Also Reaches 4,500 Kg.

The Gross Combined Mass (GCM) Reaches 8,000 Kg, Placing The Super Duty Close To Category F Trucks.

Off-Road: Raised Suspension And Deep Water Fording

The Raised Suspension Provides Approximately 300 Mm Of Ground Clearance, Ideal For Trails And Difficult Terrain.

The Fording Depth In Floods Reaches Approximately 850 Mm.

An Optional Snorkel Protects The Engine In High-Water Environments.

The New Ford Ranger Super Duty Is So Extreme That Only A Robot Could Test It. The Pickup Arrives With 4,500 Kg Of Towing Capacity And Unprecedented Robustness.
The New Ford Ranger Super Duty Is So Extreme That Only A Robot Could Test It. The Pickup Arrives With 4,500 Kg Of Towing Capacity And Unprecedented Robustness.

Wheels, Drivetrain, And Professional Differentials

The 8-Bolt Wheels, The Same Used In The F-250, Ensure Greater Resistance.

The Permanent 4A All-Wheel Drive, Combined With Locking Differentials Front And Rear, Provides Reliable Performance On Any Surface.

Onboard Technology And Smart Systems

The Onboard Scales System Allows For Real-Time Monitoring Of The Load Carried.

The Smart Hitch, Integrated With The Pro-Trailer Backup Assist, Facilitates Trailer Coupling.

Among The Assistance Features Are 360-Degree Cameras, Automatic Parking Brake, And Blind Spot Monitoring.

Global Development And Relationship With Brazil

The Ranger Super Duty Is The First Mid-Size Pickup To Combine A Reinforced Structure, 4,500 Kg Towing Capacity, And Extreme Robotic Testing.

It Was Developed In Australia, Will Be Produced In Thailand, And Is Expected To Launch In Early 2026 In That Country.

Although There Is Still No Official Confirmation Of Its Arrival In Brazil, The Possibility Is Not Ruled Out.

Ford Continues The Production Of The Ranger Line At Its General Pacheco Plant In Argentina, Which Supplies The Entire South American Market, Including Brazil.

With The Strengthening Of The Pickup Segment And The Growing Interest In Vehicles With Greater Load Capacity And Durability, The Super Duty Could Be A Strategic Addition To The Brand’s Range In The Region.

YouTube Video

Competition And Positioning In The Brazilian Market

The Traditional Ranger Already Ranks Among The Best-Selling Models In The Segment In Brazil.

It Competes With The Chevrolet S10, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200 Triton, And The Volkswagen Amarok.

The Arrival Of An Even More Robust Version Would Raise The Level Of Demand And Supply In The National Market, Especially In Agricultural, Commercial, And Expedition Applications.

Technical Comparison With Segment Models

The Conventional Ranger, With 2.3 Turbo Or 2.0 Bi-Turbo Diesel Engines, Offers Towing Of Up To 3,500 Kg And A Payload Between 950 And 1,150 Kg.

The Ranger Raptor, With A Gasoline V6 Bi-Turbo Engine And About 625 Kg Of Payload, Prioritizes Off-Road Performance But Lacks Focus On Towing Or Heavy Loads.

The VW Amarok V6, With A Diesel Engine Of 184 Kw And About 1,000 Kg Of Payload, Offers Balance But Without The Same Structural Reinforcement As The Super Duty.

The GWM Cannon Alpha, With Similar Towing And A Payload Of Approximately 750 Kg, Has Diesel Or Hybrid Versions, But With Less Resistance.

The New Ford Ranger Super Duty Is So Extreme That Only A Robot Could Test It. The Pickup Arrives With 4,500 Kg Of Towing Capacity And Unprecedented Robustness.
The New Ford Ranger Super Duty Is So Extreme That Only A Robot Could Test It. The Pickup Arrives With 4,500 Kg Of Towing Capacity And Unprecedented Robustness.

Technical Solution With Commercial Appeal And Adventure

The Ranger Super Duty Positions Itself As A Response To The Demand For Mid-Size Pickups With The Capabilities Of Full-Size Vehicles.

It Is Especially Strategic In Regions Where Models Like The F-150 Are Not Available.

Its Use Fits Both Heavy Commercial Operations And Expeditions Through Uninhabited Regions.

With This Model, Ford Not Only Delivers Marketing But Also Solidifies A Robust Technical Solution, With Comfort And Technology On Board.

Do You, Reader Curious About Automotive News, Believe That The Ford Ranger Super Duty Is Better Prepared For The Demands Of Extreme Work Or For Adventures In Challenging Terrain?

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Alisson Ficher

A journalist who graduated in 2017 and has been active in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints at free-to-air TV channels, and over 12,000 online publications. A specialist in politics, employment, economics, courses, and other topics, he is also the editor of the CPG portal. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, wish to report an error, or suggest a story idea related to the topics covered on the website, please contact via email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept résumés!

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