Jeep Gladiator crushes it in LA
It's a Jeep that can tow 7,650lbs, the doors come off and it's called a Gladiator - course we're interested
In case you hadn't noticed, Los Angeles is a strange motor show. On one stand there's VW talking about the future of urban electric mobility, on another Mazda showing a 3 with a compression ignition petrol engine - and then a Jeep Gladiator. A truck launched with a huge V6 petrol engine, a diesel on the way and an unabashed focus on being rough, ready and providing "freedom to the faithful". It is - for want of a better phrase and having witnessed a highly charged press conference - absolutely brilliant.
A Jeep truck existed from 1947 until 1992 under various different guises. Then it was canned, and Jeep aficionados - the "most vocal fan base" around, according to the company - had nearly 30 years without one. Now, with the mid-size truck segment growing and growing in the US, Jeep has seen it fit to bring it back in Gladiator format. Indeed they say this is not bringing the segment to Jeep, but rather announcing Jeep to the segment...
It's based on the recently launched Wrangler, as you can probably tell, a car that has just been awarded Motor Trend's SUV of the Year award. But it's 31 inches longer, and now you can throw motocross bikes in the back (with a 1,600lb carrying capacity), tow whatever you want out back (with a 7,650lb towing capacity), fold down the windscreen, take off the doors and live your best live wherever that may be. That's no joke, either, Jeep aiming the car at "mundane fearing millenials", those with "an appreciation of capability" and who like to get out there. Being outdoorsy never looked so appealing.
This isn't some lifestyle SUV in the modern sense either, Jeep keen to be seen as a "brand that backs it up" in terms of ability. So the Gladiator comes with two 4x4 systems (Command-Trac and Rock-Trac), Dana 44 axles, a Track Lok limited-slip diff (plus front and rear axle lockers), 33-inch off-road tyres and the ability to disconnect the roll bars. There's the Gladiator Rubicon for those who need more off-road cred, but all cars have a 43.6-degree departure angle, 20.3 breakover and 26-degree departure, with 30 inches of water fording ability too. Rock rails and skid plates keep the vital bits protected, while its maker also maintains that the additional suspension refinement and composure ushered in for this Wrangler generation hasn't compromised off-road ability.
Getting Gladiator buyers to wherever they want to go is a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, with 285hp, 260lb ft and a standard six-speed manual (an eight-speed auto is optional). The 3.0-litre V6 diesel will follow in 2020.
Jeep has described this Gladiator as its most anticipated model in decades, a remarkable truck that "puts the trails on notice" - it really was a presentation to see. US buyers will see the Gladiator in their showrooms from Q2 next year, presumably while UK off-roadists peer wistfully across the Atlantic thinking what might have been. Nice work Jeep.
Has anyone noticed the new JL Wrangler is priced the same as a Porsche Boxster ffs!!!! But only in the UK. In the US the Wrangler starts at about 50% the price of the Porsche
Looks like I’ll be buying a Jimny.....
tty MPG though.
Seriously, its a massive pickup with a load bed, but you need a specific bike carrier and to take the wheels off in order to carry just two bikes ?
I am very interested in how well this sells. Offroad enthusiasts have been banging on forever that this is the truck they want, but I suspect not many will buy. It is kind of like everyone on here that says they want a lightweight sports car with great feedback, and high revving NA power, and a manual gearbox, but when car companies make those cars, the actual sales numbers are tiny.
I really like it. I just feel I may need to up my gym presence to 'The Rock' levels to perfect the look.
A Land Rover Defender payload can be as low as 657kg depending on model and body config.
The Toyota Tacoma pickup has a payload of 509kg to 736kg according to Google.
Many UK market pickups have often been well short of the 3500kg towing cap for the EU. Some as low as 2000kg.
I think they're targeting the lifestyle/leisure market and positioning it in the aspirational vehicle bracket - probably realised that they'd sell the same amount of them as if they were priced at £26k, so why not go for the higher margin and push it up-market?
At that money it won't be a feature on my driveway any time soon...
Just watched this 'review' with an interview with the designer. That makes me love it even more, the guy pretty much says it's designed for the enthusiast and aftermarket community, stating that he knows fine well that half of the units sold will be stopping for bigger tyres on the way home, and it is designed to take them and that Jeep have been working with aftermarket suppliers to build lift kits for it.
I'd love it if more manufacturers had ethos' like this rather than the usual, accountancy driven 'we expect to sell X units by Y date' with little to no care for who's buying them or what happens to them once they are out the door.
Must say I have been gradually converting from a LR guy to a Jeep guy ever since they dropped the Defender and stuff like this is reinforcing that.
If only they cared about the European market.
and this matter created for me some mild frustration when I lived there
on further examination, however: can Jeep afford to "care" about the European market?
if we examine the EU28... most with median household incomes lower than in Jeep's domestic market... whilst nearly all with on-the-road and operating costs that are significantly higher than in Jeep's domestic market
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff