For seven decades, the British Army has driven Land Rovers. That contract is up for grabs, and Ford just rolled in with a six-wheeled hybrid Ranger that makes the Raptor look like a grocery getter.
According to HiConsumption, the Ministry of Defence wants around 2,500 new light mobility vehicles to replace its aging fleet of Defender-based Wolfs and Pinzgauers by 2030. Ford teamed up with General Dynamics Land Systems UK and engineering firm Ricardo to build something called the Ranger Super Duty 6×6, and it looks ready to break things.
Six Wheels and a Hybrid Punch
The prototype starts with the Australian-market Ranger Super Duty chassis, which is already beefier than anything we get stateside. On top of that sits a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 from Ford’s Dagenham plant, making 206 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. That alone would be enough for most military work.
But the third axle changes everything. Ricardo’s HEX system bolts on as an electric rear drive unit without modifying the factory frame, and it delivers up to 282 horsepower on its own. The hybrid half makes more power than the diesel. It also regenerates under braking, which means less wear on the conventional brakes and more stored energy for crawling or towing.
All six wheels get power, though the system can run in 6×4 mode when you need to save juice. Ground clearance sits just under 12 inches, wading depth hits 33.5 inches, and there are locking diffs at both ends. Steel armor protects the underbody from whatever rocks, ruts, or improvised obstacles the truck finds.
The Numbers That Matter
Tow rating sits at 9,921 pounds. Payload capacity is 4,370 pounds. Gross train mass goes all the way to 17,637 pounds, which means this thing can haul serious weight across terrain that would stop a normal truck cold.
Inside, Ford kept the standard 12-inch touchscreen but made it compatible with third-party tactical mission software. The bodywork is humble XLT trim, no chrome or painted bumpers, just the basics. This is a tool, not a statement piece.
The Competition Is Stiff
Land Rover is not giving up without a fight. It brought the new Defender Wolf Series II to defend home turf. GM Defense showed up with a militarized Chevy Colorado. Even Ineos entered the Grenadier, which already looks like it rolled off a military base.
HiConsumption reports that evaluation trials run from October 2026 through January 2027, so we will know the winner soon enough. The MoD wants the full fleet replaced by 2030, which gives the winner about three years to ramp up production and start deliveries.
You Cannot Buy One
This is a procurement bid, not a product announcement. There is no price, no dealer network, no civilian version planned. If you want a six-wheeled hybrid Ranger, your best bet is to enlist or wait for the surplus market in about 20 years.
Still, the engineering is worth paying attention to. A bolt-on hybrid system that does not require frame modifications could show up in other applications, and the idea of an electric axle out-muscling the engine opens up all kinds of packaging and performance options for future trucks. Ford might lose the contract and still win the long game.
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HiConsumption
