Robot tests Ranger Super Duty to the extreme

FORD has employed the services of an autonomous robotic test driver to ensure consistent and relentless testing of its incoming Ranger Super Duty at the dreaded Silver Creek durability track at the manufacturer’s You Yangs Proving Ground in Victoria.

Piloting the Ranger Super Duty for 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all weather conditions, the autonomous robotic test driver subjected the vehicle to what Ford describes as a series of brutal durability tests, including a simulated dry creek bed with 300 randomly placed, bone-rattling bumps of different shapes and sizes.

“Silver Creek is our toughest man-made durability track,” explained Ford Australia Ranger Super Duty program manager Justin Capicchiano.

“It stressed the Ranger Super Duty from the wheels to the roof; simulating the wear and tear you’d typically experience across a decade of driving on the world’s harshest road conditions.”

Although a single run on Silver Creek generates over 2000 suspension movements, the test primarily assesses the durability of engine mounts, body mounts, joints, and connectors.

Mr Capicchiano tested the vehicle at its maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4500kg to ensure, umm, no stone was left unturned.

“The forces punching through the truck when it’s unladen are immense, but when it’s loaded to maximum GVM and tested on Silver Creek they become even more brutal,” he added.

“This is an incredibly important test for a truck that must do the toughest jobs or most extreme adventures in the harshest conditions.”

Ford Australia said previously that the Ranger Super Duty was born out of talks with fleet customers that wanted enhanced capability, durability and productivity out of the box rather than having to rely on aftermarket GVM upgrades.

It was revealed in November last year that the Super Duty would feature a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4500kg (the legal limit for a standard car licence), maximum braked towing capacity of 4500kg, and a gross combination mass (GCM) of 8000kg.

Another major point of difference is that the Super Duty maintains the wheelbase, length, and – presumably – driveability of a standard Ranger rather than being inflated to the dimensions of light trucks it competes with in terms of productivity potential.

The Super Duty will be available as either a single-, super- or dual-cab chassis when it launches next year, with a subsequent dual-cab option featuring a style-side tray launching shortly after.

A pair of trim options have been confirmed, consisting of no-nonsense base Super Duty and a touring-focused Super Duty XLT that scores some additional creature comforts.

Powering the new model will be Ford’s 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, used in other Ranger models, but it features improved cooling and has been calibrated to meet heavy-duty Euro 6.2 emissions standards.

Underpinning the Super Duty is a heavy-duty chassis consisting of a thicker frame and, while its dimensions remain the same as a standard Ranger, the model has an increased ride height, wider wheel track and significant reinforcements throughout.

According to Ford, the suspension mounts, box mount brackets and tow-bar mounts have all been reinforced, and mounting points remain easily accessible to ensure easy upfitting of service bodies and accessories.

Beyond the chassis, the driveline consists of stronger front and rear driveshafts, transfer case and rear axle, while heavy-duty axles and eight-stud hubs send drive to beefy 33-inch General Grabber tyres.

The Super Duty also benefits from off-road-focused items like a sealed snorkel, locking front and rear differentials, and breathers for the transmission, transfer case and diffs that are placed higher than usual to allow for an improved wading depth.

Underneath the Super Duty sits a 130-litre long-range fuel tank and the underbody is protected by thick steel from bumper to bumper – protecting the engine, transmission, diffs and fuel tank.

In a serious nod to its commercial focus, the Super Duty features on-board scales to allow operators to monitor vehicle weight on the fly – technology typically reserved for trucks – relying on sensors at all four corners.

Towing is also a clear focus for the Super Duty, evident in its 4500kg maximum capacity but helped along by an integrated brake controller, taller side mirrors, and Ford’s Pro-Trailer Backup Assist that uses a yaw rate sensor to manage trailer angle.

A Smart Hitch feature also provides information about the tow ball down weight, helping operators adjust the load in a trailer to improve distribution and prevent overloading of the tow ball.

You can watch the video of the Ford Ranger Super Dity undergoing testing at Silver Creek here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgYo9wNHiXU\