After hinting at a mid-2020 release for the much-anticipated Jeep Gladiator, Auto Nation Group (authorized Philippine distributor for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram) has announced that the midsize pickup could be launched locally this July.
Based on the popular fourth-generation Wrangler (JL) platform, the Jeep Gladiator carries on the same ruggedness and capability that have been trademarks of Jeep vehicles through the years, with the added functionality of a cargo bed behind the passenger cab.
Few midsize pickup trucks look as imposing as the Gladiator
This is by no means the first pickup Jeep has made, with a 60s-era model based on the Jeep SJ being the marque’s earliest known use of the Gladiator name. The last pickup that Jeep marketed was the Comanche in the mid-80s to early 90s, a variant of the Cherokee compact SUV.
Jeep returned to the pickup game with the current Gladiator (JT) in 2019. Spread across seven trim levels (Sport, Sport S, Overland, North Edition, High Altitude, Rubicon, and Mojave), the U.S.-spec model features many of the attributes that have made the Wrangler the vehicle of choice for adventurers looking to satisfy their wanderlust in the wilderness. These include the collapsible windshield as well as removable roof and doors for a truly open-air driving experience.
The five-foot cargo box comes in handy when bringing your favorite weekend toys
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A five-foot steel cargo box can be used to carry your weekend toys such as dirt bikes or an ATV, while the damped three-position tailgate provides flexibility in loading cargo. Standard hooks or the available Trail Rail Cargo Management System secure everything as the Gladiator traverses the terrain.
The Gladiator is one of the few remaining off-roaders with a lever-actuated transfer case
The Gladiator’s interior is as robust as the exterior, with rugged details such as oversized door handles and reinforced buffers around the Uconnect 4C NAV 8.4-inch touchscreen. A 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine launches the Gladiator with 285 hp and 352 Nm of torque, while a four-wheel drivetrain lets it conquer rough roads with ease.
The Gladiator is the only pickup truck in the midsize class that carries the Trail Rated badge, proof of its ability to withstand harsh conditions while delivering superb off-road performance.
Underseat storage lets you stow away smaller valuables and tools
The Philippine-spec Jeep Gladiator will be available in two variants as the base Sport and the upper-spec Rubicon, priced at Php 3.8 million and Php 4.8 million, respectively. Customers can register at the Jeep Philippines website to get early updates on the Gladiator, and await the official reveal over at the Jeep Philippines official Facebook page on July 11.
Stay tuned at Philkotse.com for more new vehicle releases.