It's noteworthy that when the Gladiator was introduced at the L.A. Auto Show last year Jeep used the theme soundtrack from the film Gladiator starring Russell Crowe.
The Gladiator brand was actually introduced in 1962, continuing through to 1988. None of those vehicles had a dashboard like today's Gladiator that you see here.
There's a certain nostalgia associated with the name, but Bruce notes that the new Gladiator with its EcoDiesel powerplant has taken the machine to a whole new level. He writes, "The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 produces 260 horsepower (194 kilowatts) and 442 pound-feet (600 Newton-meters) and comes exclusively with an eight-speed automatic in the Gladiator and Wrangler. Models with this powerplant get tougher Dana 44 axles at the front and rear that are generally for the Rubicon grade of the gas-fueled examples."
The new Jeep Gladiator might look like just a Wrangler with a pick-up bed attached. Jeep has given it all the take-the-doors-off, open-air, go-anywhere freedom and ruggedness of the Wrangler. Then it’s added a platform to carry up to 1,600lb or tow up to 7,650lb of toys or cargo. Jeep reckons it is the very best in the midsize class – that includes beating the new Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma.
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