Let’s face it, most of us have done something a bit dumb behind the wheel in the bush. Dropped into a rut too fast. Misjudged a rock step. Gone just a little too hard through a dry creek bed. But imagine doing that same abuse over and over, fully loaded, around the clock, without a break. That’s what Ford’s done, and it wasn’t even a human at the wheel.
As part of its final development testing, Ford Australia unleashed a robot test driver to flog the upcoming Ranger Super Duty mercilessly on what it calls Silver Creek, the most brutal man-made durability track at their proving ground in the You Yangs.
“It stressed the Ranger Super Duty from the wheels to the roof,” said program manager Justin Capicchiano. “Simulating the wear and tear you’d typically experience across a decade of driving on the world’s harshest road conditions”
Now, that might sound like PR fluff, but if you’ve ever seen Silver Creek up close, you’ll know it’s no joke. It’s 300 randomly placed, bone-jarring bumps that replicate years of corrugations, potholes, and outback abuse in just a few laps.
And here’s where it gets interesting: Ford didn’t just run the Super Duty through this track, they did it fully loaded to its maximum GVM of 4,500kg. That’s not just a tradie ute with a ladder rack. That’s towing and touring territory. That’s GVM upgrade territory.
Even more impressive, they did it all using an autonomous test driver. Not to avoid driver fatigue or error, but because no human could cop that punishment 24/7 without throwing in the towel (or a few vertebrae).
This kind of testing matters, especially if you’re planning on strapping a canopy, throwing a quad in the tray, or dragging 3.5T worth of caravan down a goat track. The sort of use where the difference between a cracked mount and a smooth ride is whether someone in R&D bothered to run the numbers and the suspension travel.
The Super Duty isn’t just about badge flex. It’s about making sure it doesn’t fall apart when the payload goes up, the bitumen ends, and the driver’s had a long day.
So What’s the Takeaway?
Ford’s testing is about showing their intent. The Super Duty isn’t a sticker pack. It’s being engineered for real-world punishment. Whether you’re towing across the Nullarbor or loaded up for remote work up north, this kind of validation gives you confidence that the platform isn’t going to spit the dummy the moment you leave the blacktop.
And the fact they’re using robotic drivers to get it done? That’s just icing on the cake.
