Jeep unveils new Gladiator
After 27 years away, Jeep is about to return to the North American pickup market, following the release of the Gladiator at the Los Angeles Motor Show last November. The Wrangler-based dual cab 4x4 will go head-to-head with the likes of Ford’s Ranger, the Chevrolet Silverado and models unavailable here, like the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.
Jeep are feeling pretty cocky about the Gladiator, with Tim Kuniskis, Head of Jeep Brand - North America, calling it the “most capable midsize truck ever”, adding that the new arrival will feature all the off-road ability of the Wrangler.
“Unquestionably a truck and instantly recognizable as a Jeep, the all-new 2020 Gladiator is the ultimate vehicle for any outdoor adventure,” Kuniskis said at the LA launch. “There is tremendous demand for this unique vehicle from our loyal Jeep customers and pickup truck buyers everywhere.”
North American market release has been confirmed for late Q2 this year as a 2020 model, with the Gladiator to be offered in Sport, Sport S, Overlandd and Rubicon trim levels. Overseas sales are expected from 2020, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia confirming that Australia will receive the Gladiator, but exactly when it’ll reach our shores has not been revealed.
Wrangler Base
The new Gladiator’s Wrangler origins are obvious, but in translating the style and capability of the current JL Wrangler to a pickup platform, there have been a number of changes.
Built as a body-on-frame design like the Wrangler, the Gladiator rolls on a 493mm longer wheelbase at 3500mm, while the overall length of 5562mm is 787mm longer than the Wrangler Unlimited. That’s big in local terms, but considered mid-size in the American pickup market.
Load bed length is 1524mm (5 feet), with an external power outlet, under-rail lighting and integrated tie-down points included, while the damped tailgate is three-position adjustable and features a power-locking function. A full-size spare wheel is slung under the load bed, with the mount able to take up to 35-inch tyres.
Payload is listed at 725kg, while the Gladiator can tow up to 4370kg with the inclusion of an optional towing package. Only offered as a dual cab ute for now (single cabs and cab chassis variants are unlikely in the short term), the Gladiator does offer an open-air version like its Wrangler sibling, with removable door, roof and rear window sections, plus a fold-down windscreen.
Understanding that the Gladiator will do more towing than a Wrangler, the signature Jeep grille openings are wider to improve front-end ventilation for engine cooling, but most other panels are identical the Wrangler.
Petrol Power Only…for Now
From launch, the Gladiator will only be offered with Chrysler’s 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol engine, but this naturally-aspirated, 212kW and 352Nm V6 with engine stop-start tech can be matched to a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.
Other current FCA engine choices, including the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine available for the Wrangler, will not be offered on the Gladiator. However, a 3.0-litre 193kW/600Nm ‘EcoDiesel’ turbo-diesel V6 will be added for the North American market in 2020, which means it should be offered alongside the petrol V6 by the time the Gladiator reaches Australia.
Off-Road Capable
Unlike some other Jeep models where only one grade carries the Trail Rated badge signifying maximum off-road ability, three of the four Gladiator grades – Sport, Overland and Rubicon - are Trail-Rated, thanks to the standard fitment of one of two different Jeep four-wheel drive systems.
The Gladiator Sport and Overland come with the Command-Trac system, while the more extreme Rock-Trac system is exclusive to the Rubicon. Both these 4WD systems are likely to feature on Australian-delivered Gladiators.
Command-Trac features a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range ratio and heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles with a 3.73 rear axle ratio.
The Rock-Trac 4x4 system also uses heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles, but adds a “4LO” crawl ratio of 4:1. A 4.10 front and rear axle ratio is standard, as are Tru-Lok locking diffs and a forward-facing camera to help negotiate tricky trails.
There’s more suspension articulation and travel on the Gladiator Rubicon, too, thanks in part to a segment-exclusive electronic sway-bar disconnect feature. With the six-speed manual, the Gladiator Rubicon has a crawl ratio of 84.2:1, or 77.2:1 with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission.
All Gladiator variants feature a five-link independent rear suspension instead of a leaf-spring live axle, but suspension tuning delivers what Jeep says is “optimum balance between on-road handling while providing a comfortable ride around town, with or without cargo in the bed”.
Ground clearance is 282mm, with fording depth listed at 762mm. Other off-road measures include an excellent 43.6-degree approach angle and 20.3-degree breakover angle, but the load bed’s overhang beyond the rear axle means departure angle is just 26 degrees.
Modern and Safe
The Gladiator cabin is much like that of the latest JL Wrangler, with a virtually identical treatment of the dash, centre-console positioning of the Uconnect infotainment system, as well as the same seats, steering wheel, pedals, air vents, door trims and more.
Seat trim choices include the usual leather or cloth, with front seat heating available on selected model grades. Perhaps the only significant change is that the Gladiator adds a lockable storage area behind the rear seats and a separate storage area under the rear seat.
Push-button starting is standard, with a 3.5-inch or 7.0-inch instrument display (depending on model grade) and 5.0-, 7.0- or 8.4-inch configurable touchscreen for the latest, fourth-generation version of FCA’s Uconnect infotainment system. There are also multiple USB ports, a 12V port and standard Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity.
Gladiator safety features are said to number more than 80, including Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, ParkView rear camera with dynamic grid lines, Adaptive Cruise Control and Electronic Stability Control with electronic roll mitigation.
Under Australian ANCAP testing, the most recent (2018) test of a Wrangler delivered a 4-star rating, so the Gladiator is expected to achieve a similar number. Model range, pricing, specs and options for the Australian-delivered Gladiator range are unlikely to be released until the end of this year at the earliest. Watch this space for updates.
