jeep unveils its 2020 gladiator, a cherry red open-air dream

jeep has revealed its 2020 gladiator wrangler, an updated version of a nameplate and model it last produced in 1988. the open-air pick-up truck is based on the jeep wrangler off-road sport utility vehicle, featuring four doors, a standard soft top, and the same capabilities as the popular SUV.

images courtesy of jeep

the jeep gladiator 2020 is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 pentastar gasoline engine of jeep, which in this application delivers 285 horsepower (212 kilowatts) and 260 pound-feet (353 newton-meters) of torque. it can pull a hefty 7,650 pounds, it can handle a 1,600lb payload, and features a three position tailgate and rollup cover for the bed. inside a rear bench folds flat to provide additional storage space, meanwhile LED lights are triggered on the quarter trim panels to illuminate the space.

the dashboard has a standard 3.5-inch instrument cluster and an optional 7-inch unit with a layout configurable in more than 100 ways. next to this display is a standard 7-inch or an optional 8.4-inch screen on the center console that houses the latest generation uconnect infotainment system of FCA.

the unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with an optionally available eight-speed automatic. beginning in 2020, jeep will also start offering a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel with 260 hp (194 kw) and 442 lb-ft (600 nm) of torque.

the gladiator sport and gladiator overland come with a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, while the gladiator rubicon has a rock-trac 4×4 system with a ‘4LO’ ratio of 4:1. the rubicon also has an improved total suspension travel with an electronic sway-bar disconnect. the approach angle of the gladiator is 43.6 degrees and the departure angle is 26 degrees.

the new jeep gladiator 2020 was revealed on wednesday at the los angeles auto show. pricing information is not available on this vehicle yet but we do know that jeep will produce the gladiator at its toledo factory in ohio, where the old wrangler JK was also built in april this year. the pickup will go on the assembly lines beginning the first half of next year and customer deliveries are scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of 2019.