What Is It?
Jeep Gladiator Concept
What's Special About It?
Jeep has gone the distance and designed a true-to-life truck, even if the vehicle is only a concept at this stage. Despite its exclusive and unique platform, a boxy cabin gives the Gladiator that essential Jeep appearance. All sorts of special touches, such as a side-mounted spare tire and "doggy door," or cabin storage access panel, on the driver side, spell out the go-anywhere ruggedness that characterizes the brand. A short rear overhang and dual-coil springs in the rear should give the vehicle much better off-road performance than most other trucks on the market. The 5-foot, 8-inch-long cargo bed can be augmented by stowable rear seats, which offer an additional 12 inches of storage space. This part-time 4x4 is powered by a 2.8-liter common rail, fuel-injected, four-cylinder turbodiesel, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Special features include a trailing arm system in the front, along with a winch and skid plate. For those who manage to lose themselves in the wilderness, Jeep has even provided a GPS navigation system. Other classic Jeep touches include a removable canvas top and a typically no-frills interior. The Gladiator, if it goes into production, will likely be a low-volume vehicle that sits atop the Jeep pecking order.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Looking like a combat vehicle from another era that could double as a scrap wood schlepper, the Gladiator is about as bold as Jeep can venture into left field while still staying true to itself. Believe it or not, this is one of the few design ideas that works better in actuality than it does in theory. The vehicle's built-in ruggedness surely keeps the best features in the family, and none of the special features come off as gimmicky. The thought of this concept seeing production may seem far-fetched, but the Gladiator is a surprisingly handsome vehicle that could end up winning the brand praise from both critics and consumers. — Phil Lienert
Jeep Gladiator Concept
What's Special About It?
Jeep has gone the distance and designed a true-to-life truck, even if the vehicle is only a concept at this stage. Despite its exclusive and unique platform, a boxy cabin gives the Gladiator that essential Jeep appearance. All sorts of special touches, such as a side-mounted spare tire and "doggy door," or cabin storage access panel, on the driver side, spell out the go-anywhere ruggedness that characterizes the brand. A short rear overhang and dual-coil springs in the rear should give the vehicle much better off-road performance than most other trucks on the market. The 5-foot, 8-inch-long cargo bed can be augmented by stowable rear seats, which offer an additional 12 inches of storage space. This part-time 4x4 is powered by a 2.8-liter common rail, fuel-injected, four-cylinder turbodiesel, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Special features include a trailing arm system in the front, along with a winch and skid plate. For those who manage to lose themselves in the wilderness, Jeep has even provided a GPS navigation system. Other classic Jeep touches include a removable canvas top and a typically no-frills interior. The Gladiator, if it goes into production, will likely be a low-volume vehicle that sits atop the Jeep pecking order.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Looking like a combat vehicle from another era that could double as a scrap wood schlepper, the Gladiator is about as bold as Jeep can venture into left field while still staying true to itself. Believe it or not, this is one of the few design ideas that works better in actuality than it does in theory. The vehicle's built-in ruggedness surely keeps the best features in the family, and none of the special features come off as gimmicky. The thought of this concept seeing production may seem far-fetched, but the Gladiator is a surprisingly handsome vehicle that could end up winning the brand praise from both critics and consumers. — Phil Lienert
Add A Comment »
killerbee32 says:
11:30 AM, 01/04/2011
I can't wait to see the Jeep Gladiator in my local jeep dealer. I will be buying a truck during 2H11 and it will be a Gladiator assuming they actually deliver it.
dwightmoore says:
02:19 PM, 11/28/2010
I'm so glad they decided to come out with the jeep truck. By the end of 2011, I'm planning on buying a new vehicle and I love trucks and jeeps. So it looks like I will be getting the best of both worlds. THANK-YOU JEEP
drago29 says:
11:55 AM, 11/21/2010
its a sharp truck however not one for the common person...while its use is very evident its very narrow sighted...limited room for people and cargo means big camping trips will require multiple trucks when the cherokee and others like it offer more room and better options for trips with friends.....however this is a sharp truck and it has been a very long time since jeep built a truck...overall nice job and I would like to see it go into production
killerbeeee says:
10:33 AM, 04/09/2010
Chrysler/Jeep/Fiat really needs to build this truck. It would be an instant success.