Jeep will return this year to launch into the field of a pickup in which enjoys a great tradition although it does not have a model for this use since in 1992 it stopped selling the Comanche. The new Gladiator features a typical Jeep look, with its seven-hole grille, this time steeper than usual to improve aerodynamics and straight wheel arches. The great novelty is the 153 cm long box, which can be accessed from the inside and which will make life easier for both those who need a car to work and those who use it for adventure.
To make it more versatile, the American brand will offer a Trail Rail system with different options that facilitate the storage of the load, as well as optional roll-up, soft and rigid panel cover for those who do not want to display the transport. The roof can be removable rigid through three large panels, soft or, directly, come without a roof for those who wish to experience their driving in greater contact with nature. Because most Gladiator buyers may want it for recreational use and in that sense both the fully washable car floor and a nomadic speaker that lasts 30 minutes submerged at a depth of 90 cm come in handy, in case we have to ford rivers.
If we want the Gladiator for the adventure to the limit the cloth seats are the best option (they can be black or light brown), but those who want a more ‘civilized’ use can opt for the dark leather ones with contrasting stitching. Jeep will offer it with a 3.0-liter V6 MultiJet engine that delivers 264 hp and no less than 600 Nm of torque, as expected associated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. We don’t yet know the performance figures, but it does match good technological arguments, such as a water-cooled turbocharger with a low-friction bearing.
We do not doubt that its off-road capability will be superb, which will be mainly taken care of by the 4×4 Select-Trac system and the Dana 44 front and rear axles. The Select-Trac system has modes 2H, 4H Auto (it is the car that decides when it works with all-wheel drive), 4H Part-Time (maintains all-wheel-drive only temporarily), N (neutral), and 4L (four-wheel drive). with reducer). Also, the passage of two driving wheels to all-wheel drive can be carried out at a maximum speed of 72 km / h. And if you want even more 4×4 capacity, you can opt for the Trail-Rated homologation, which means that the car also has underbody skid plates, rear towing eyes, All-terrain tires.
Two will be the finishes available from the beginning: Overland and Launch Edition. In the first one, a front camera will be available as an option (with a self-cleaning function) that helps to see the terrain, and that in the Launch Edition will be standard. The more luxurious Launch Edition (limited edition) will be sold only in Black, Firecracker Red, Billet Silver Metallic, Brilliant White or Granite Crystal metallic, will have a hardtop, and will show off the wheel arches in body color. For the rest, the Launch Edition will also boast a leather-lined dashboard, heated seats, an Alpine sound system with the aforementioned wireless speaker, Blind Spot Detector with reverse crossover control, Forward Collision Warning Plus, Cruise Control with stop function, automatic high beams, etc.
Added to this are the 7 digital clock frame (with more than 100 configuration ways), a Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4 screen) and Uconnect services that will allow Gladiator owners to remotely check the fuel level in the tank, lock and unlock the doors, turn on the lights (to find it in a parking lot), call for assistance, and even receive a notification in case the car is stolen.
