© FCA Press Office
After some time off from the pickup truck market Jeep makes a comeback with the mighty Gladiator. The new model is coming in four different trim levels - the base Sport, a mid-level Sport S, a luxurious Overland and the off-roady Rubicon. All of them are powered by a 3.6-litre petrol Pentastar V6 engine with 285 hp, same as the Wrangler, and a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. An optional 8-speed automatic is available. The engine produces 353 Nm of torque. In 2020 Jeep will be offering a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine which has less power at 260 hp but compensates with 599 Nm of torque. Unlike the petrol version the diesel will be paired with an automatic transmission only.
The Gladiator has a new chassis that is 5539 mm long. The lenght of the wheelbase is 3487 mm. The pickup is equipped with heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles and a 4x4 system with high and low range. The highest trim level is the Rubicon and includes lockable wide track axles, an electronic disconnecting front anti-roll bar, 33-inch all-terrain tyres, Fox shock absorbers and an off-road camera, called TrailCam, that is mounted on the front and makes obstacle-spotting easier.
The Gladiator receives a redesigned grill with larger openings. They allow more air to the engine and help cooling it, especially when hauling heavy loads. The truck comes with either hard or soft top and the latter can be removed for more sunshine in the cabin. The windshield is foldable and, unlike any other pickup truck, all four doors are removable. A spray-in bedliner and a roll-up tonneau cover are optional. The bed itself is made of steel with an aluminium tailgate. It is 1,52 m long and has a 115-volt power socket.
© FCA Press Office
Inside the cabin the 12,7 cm touchscreen is a standard. A 18,8 and 20,3 cm systems are also selectable with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. Among the other optional features to choose from are a removable Bluetooth wireless speaker and leather-trimmed seats, heated steering wheel and heated seats. The cabin offers more storage capacity with extra space found underneath the rear seats.
Jeep are known for building vehicles with a "can-do" attitude and this new truck doesn't diverge from its relatives. The raw power of the pickup is impressive. The Gladiator tows up to 3 470 kg and has a maximum payload capacity of 726 kg. These figures are unmatched by its competitors and the Gladiator can confidently claim the "best-in-class" title.
- Jeep Gladiator Specifications
Author: Radomir Ivanov
