Jeep Says Gladiator's Key To Success Will Be Being Different

Americans bought 524,000 midsize pickups last year — about 1,400 a day — but not one of them had removable doors.

In a few weeks, that small but noteworthy gap in the market will be filled by the Jeep Gladiator, an all-new rig that represents Fiat Chrysler's initial bid to buccaneer its way back into one of the industry's hottest segments.

The long awaited Gladiator is drastically different from rival trucks — and it's not just the doors. To further motor en plein air, the windshield folds down and the hardtop comes off. The tailgate can be locked at a half-lowered position to better support a stack of plywood. And the manual transmission is standard — which these days is about as on-trend as an eight-track stereo.

PUGPROUD - 3/26/2019 11:43:59 AM

+5 Boost

Big cool factor = big sales numbers.

YoCarFanto - 3/26/2019 11:49:58 AM

+4 Boost

Wrangler Drivetrian: The Pentastar engine has proven to be a great engine on all applications. A Reliable natural aspired multiport engine. The manual transmission is made by AISIN which is 30% Toyota owned. The automatic transmission is a licensed version of the ZF8HP. This is a solid drivetrain combination.
This Gladiator might look ugly (for my taste) but it will be a reliable truck.

scenicbyway12 - 3/26/2019 12:55:51 PM

+1 Boost

I wonder if N/A will ever get a diesel version?

skytop - 3/26/2019 3:31:26 PM

-1 Boost

It is very safe to drive without any doors. So when you are impacted, you can fly out of the way of the impact and bounce along the roadway safe and sound.

ricks0me - 3/26/2019 7:00:05 PM

0 Boost

skytop said: It is very safe to drive without any doors. So when you are impacted, you can fly out of the way of the impact and bounce along the roadway safe and sound.

rick said: That is why I have to fight you for serial # 000001

MDarringer - 3/26/2019 10:04:23 PM

+2 Boost

This thing needs a Hemi option for a "Raptor" version maybe call it the Gladiator Scrambler.

xjug1987a - 3/27/2019 8:08:00 AM

+2 Boost

Or possibly Gladiator Maximus?