Jeep bakkie could be a reality at the LA Auto Show

By Colin Windell  

Jeep may be ready to reveal a ‘planned-for-production’ pickup at the upcoming LA Auto Show with a possible revival of the Gladiator nameplate.

Jeep pickup on the cards

Fresh from its success at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas recently – where, for the ninth consecutive year it won ‘4x4/SUV of the Year’ – Jeep heads to the LA Auto Show next week amid rumuors it will unveil an all-new pickup.

Also part of this speculation is the Gladiator name will be pinned to the new vehicle, reviving a name that was first introduced in 1962 for the 1963 model year. The Gladiator then was a conventional body on frame pickup design that shared its basic frame architecture and front end with the Jeep Wagoneer four-wheel-drive station wagon.

The company dropped the Gladiator name after 1971 and simply gave the range the J-series designation with the J10 and J20 models the final runners in this up to 1988.

In 2003 a production-ready Jeep Scrambler was shown for a couple of hours and North American Dealers’ Association and taken away – this Scrambler name the original thought for the all-new vehicle.

In late-2004 the Gladiator name was revived as a concept not officially intended to be sold, but used as a demonstration then owners of the company, DaimlerChrysler were thinking about it.

From information available it appears the Gladiator will be available with the 3,6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with Auto Stop-Start and a choice of eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The highly anticipated 3,0-litre EcoDiesel V6 with ESS with an 8-speed automatic transmission will be available in 2020.

To bolster its on and off-road capabilities, it will offer Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4×4 systems, third generation Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lock electric front and rear axle lockers, Trac-Lok limited slip differential and electronic sway bar disconnect with 33-inch off road tyres.