Jeep’s rugged Gladiator ute is set to follow its Wrangler sibling with an extensive makeover, which could bring a plug-in hybrid option.
The brand has teased the reveal of an updated Gladiator at the Detroit motor show on September 13.
A teaser image revealed by the company makes reference to the upcoming motor show with snippets of a Gladiator’s tray and A-pillar in the background.
Though the teased vehicle doesn’t appear to have the Surf Blue accents found on Jeep’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 4xe models, the Gladiator has been rumoured to receive a PHEV powertrain as part of its 2024 facelift.
Jeep has previously pledged to have a 4xe variant of all its models by 2025 globally, and Mr Meunier told CarExpert last year the “Gladiator will be electrified too”.
While Jeep has not confirmed the Wrangler 4xe for Australia, Jeep’s global boss Christian Meunier says he wants to bring more electrified vehicles here.
“I am going to push for electrification as a leader and not a follower,” said Mr Meunier earlier this year.
An undisclosed source from Stellantis told Mopar Insiders the Gladiator 4xe will be powered by the same plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that’s currently used in the Wrangler 4xe.
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Current Gladiator Rubicon
This 4xe powertrain mates a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors and a 17kWh battery pack mounted beneath the second-row seat.
Jeep claims a total system output of 280kW of power and 637Nm of torque and an electric-only range of 40km.
While the teaser image doesn’t reveal anything new, it’s expected the changes to the Gladiator will closely follow those made to the latest facelift of the Wrangler, due in Australia before the end of 2023.
The exterior of the 2024 Wrangler received a minor update, with a new grille, an integrated “stealth” antenna, updated exterior colours and ten new wheel options, ranging from 17 to 20 inches.
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2024 Wrangler
The slimmer grille also allows for the fitment of a new factory-installed Warn winch on Rubicon models with a capacity of 3628kg.
The biggest change is in the interior however, with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5 on an Android operating system.
Plenty of physical buttons remain, with the shape of the centre stack and air vents changing slightly to accommodate the new, larger screen.
It supports over-the-air updates, and offers functions like a Trails Offroad app, five customisable user profiles, a customisable home screen, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The 2024 Wrangler’s powertrain line-up is unchanged, and continues to comprise:
- A naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 with 212kW and 352Nm
- A turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 201kW and 400Nm
- A turbo 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid four with total outputs of 280kW and 637Nm
- A naturally aspirated 6.4-litre V8 with 350kW and 637Nm
Currently, the Gladiator and Wrangler are offered in Australia exclusively with the naturally aspirated V6.
A turbo-diesel V6 has been available in other markets in both models, but is being phased out.
