 Automotive Flash Games: Part II |  The 50 Best Sports Cars of All Time |  Top 10 Used Car Buying Tips |  Protect Your Rights: How To Deal With The Police If You Get Pulled Over |
2009 Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Gladiator Concept
At the risk of sounding like an old guy who talks about “the good ‘ole days,” I can’t help but think that 10 years ago the Jeep Gladiator concept pickup would have been produced without a second thought. Unfortunately, because of the the economic climate in the auto industry, the Gladiator is still in limbo. However, there are reasons that the Wrangler-based Gladiator, or something like it, might be on sale in 2009. Not since the Comanche in the early 90’s has Jeep offered a pickup, though pickups go all the way back to WWII with Jeep. It would be only natural that Jeep would get back into an area of production that is so inherently a part of its tough image. (Don’t even mention the Jeep Compass to me.)
A second factor favoring a 2009 Jeep Gladiator is the cost of production, which despite the absymal economy would be fairly easy to do, considering the truck would be essentially built on the Wrangler frame. Beyond the extended cab which has a small access door and the nearly 6 foot long cargo bed the concept is mostly Wrangler, so a 2009 Jeep Gladiator would be able to share suspension, brakes, steering, traditional part-time four-wheel drive, even the basic dashboard assembly from the Wrangler parts bin.
Jeep Gladiator
One added feature of the Gladiator is a Chevrolet Avalanche-esque panel that can be lowered to form an eight-foot 11-inch load deck with the tailgate down. The concept Gladiator has a throwback outside spare tire on the left side that I tend to see little use for. I think it would be better to leave it as an aftermarket option than to include it as standard feature. The concept’s interior has seats for four, and a simple and quite doable design that is not that far from what is already in Jeep showrooms.
Gladiator Interior
The same could be said for the concept’s engine which is a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. Of course, the Wrangler’s standard 3.8-liter gasoline V6, six-speed manual transmission and optional four-speed automatic would probably also be offered.
Some speculate that despite small trucks not being incredibly profitable on each individual sale that the Execs at Chrysler might see the Gladiator as another PT Cruiser; an initially hot selling vehicle that made up for its minimal profits by the sheer volume of vehicles sold. Plus the four-door Wrangler Unlimited has done better than expected and the shared look of the Gladiator is unique in the truck industry.
Gladiators, if made, are likely to be priced like the Wrangler Unlimiteds, which puts the base sticker range at roughly $21,000-$29,000.
Related Articles:
- Jeep gets captured putting their JT Pickup concept through some testing
- NHTSA Recalls 712 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Vehicles
- Jeep Rocky Mountain Edition Models Introduced, Score Big Yawns
Just build it already, I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
Words by Jeff Forgrave on January 4, 2009 at 9:25 pm | #
if they would bulid one and put it out people would buy it it prob gets amazing gas milege with that diesel i know i would buy one
Words by leo norton on January 7, 2009 at 10:16 am | #
anychance this being built in the market for a truck and this is it
Words by michael santos on January 31, 2009 at 9:34 pm | #
Get you butts in gear Cerberus! Just set the price cheaper than the import pickups!
(Getting impatient for a small 6sp diesel pickup!)
Words by Landen Schooler on February 26, 2009 at 4:00 pm | #
Just build the Gladiator-now! I’m hanging on to my Unlimited until the Gladiator is built. It’ll be my last vehicle!
Words by jim bottorff on April 13, 2009 at 12:23 am | #
I for one would have definitely would have plucked down my money for one. I don’t know what Chrysler/Ceberus’s problem it. It’s obvious the vehicles they though would be their money makers were flat. Maybe if they had listened to their costumers and not there bean counter they wouldn’t be in the situation their in right now.
Words by Migz on April 21, 2009 at 4:20 pm | #
i would buy one today.
Words by tony on April 23, 2009 at 4:45 pm | #
I would buy one immediately. Beautiful.
Words by shawn on August 4, 2009 at 1:44 pm | #
If thay put the penstair in it would improve the gas milage
BUT I WILL STILL BUY IT REGARDLESS.
it could stomp out any other truck in it’s class
Words by robert on October 17, 2009 at 11:57 pm | #
it would stimulate the truck scectior. the Gladiator AND/OR Brute would rock the world
Words by robert on October 18, 2009 at 12:03 am | #
being a tradesman and a jeep enthusiast I’d buy one.
I want one now!
Words by Ian on October 20, 2009 at 12:22 am | #
Greetings from Norway. Just build it. Want to buy it. Rough country here, we need it.
Words by mr. Sundtoft on November 14, 2009 at 5:14 pm | #
I love it! What are they waiting for get rid of the compas! I WILL BYE ONE…..
Words by dawn bothof on December 4, 2009 at 11:17 pm | #
If they built this with a four cylinder turbo diesel and a six speed they would not be able to make them fast enough to keep up with the demand but that not going to happen. Thats not the type of vehical the current administration wants on the road.
Words by phil on December 26, 2009 at 10:21 am | #
jeep built one in 2005 what happened since then jeep has been around for over seventy years and has never had problem selling vehicals .ever hear of the saying he who hesitates is lost .if you don,t pick it up some one else will run with the ball .i would definatly buy one or two there a sharp looking rig and durable i espescially like the for people concept and the 2.8 diesal 4cylinder automatic concept exceptional wake up people and start producing you have people from all around the world waiting for these puppyes wake up people the market is there use it to your advantage
Words by Daniel Kenney on January 11, 2010 at 6:31 pm | #
Well are the going to market this jeep or NOT??? Jeep get off the pot and compete with Japan.
Words by mac on February 2, 2010 at 6:51 pm | #
they need to build it already. i’d buy one.it’s only natural for jeep to make trucks!
Words by robert anguiano on February 10, 2010 at 9:12 pm | #
I want one! Build it and I will get one.
Words by Ross on February 20, 2010 at 7:19 pm | #
I want one ! I have a1961 and i need to update. don’t tease just build it .
Words by onile on February 23, 2010 at 1:24 pm | #
I would trade in my Wrangler JK in a heartbeat for the new Gladiator. Just build the thing already. But don’t go changing it into that hideous Hummer crossbreed concept I’ve seen. That version is just horrible.
Words by Stephen on March 9, 2010 at 1:48 pm | #