Jeep South Africa has confirmed to TopAuto that its Gladiator bakkie is on its way to local showrooms.
The launch is planned for the second quarter of 2022, said Jeep, which is within the next three months.
Unfortunately, this is the only information the spokesperson could provide, as the market-specific specifications and pricing for the Gladiator will be revealed closer to the time.
Jeep unveiled its newest bakkie in 2019 at the North American International Auto show, heralding it as “the most capable Jeep truck ever.”
The vehicle went on sale in North America shortly thereafter and has since also been made available in markets including the Middle East and Europe.
As the South African features and engines must still be confirmed, we looked toward these regions to see what we can expect from the new Jeep bakkie coming to our shores.
What to expect
Functionality and versatility were the main focus points when designing the Gladiator, leading to the double cab getting a 153cm-long load bed with LED lighting, integrated tiedown spots, and an optional 230V power source.
It can also be enjoyed in several different body configurations – with a three-piece hardtop, a fabric soft top, or topless.
Multiple practical additions – falling under the name “Cargo Management Group” – are also found around the bakkie in the form of a lockable under-seat storage compartment with a suitcase and integrated handle, a rail management system in the rear box, as well as a three-position damped tailgate.
In Europe, the bakkie can then be had in either Sport or Overland trims with an array of features as standard.
The latter includes an infotainment system of up to 8.4 inches with navigation and smartphone mirroring, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, LED lights, a rear-view camera, and all-round parking sensors.
The Gladiator in Europe makes do with a 3.0-litre, V6, 60-degree, turbo-diesel motor that generates 197kW and 600Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Additionally, the Jeep equips the “Selec-Trac” all-wheel-drive system with a rear-mounted limited-slip differential, bringing four individual drive modes: 2H, 4H, part-time 4H, and 4L.
This system allows the driver to switch between 2H and 4H at speeds of up to 72km/h, along with offering “Trail Rated” performance.
According to Jeep, models with a “Trail Rated” badge provide the following:
- Skid plates and rear tow hook
- Approach angle of 41 degrees
- Breakover angle of 18.4 degrees
- Departure angle of 25 degrees
- Ground clearance of 253mm
- Up to 760mm water fording
- Up to 565kg payload capacity
- Up to 2,721kg towing capacity
- Standard all-terrain tyres up to 18 inches
- Selec-Trac 4×4 system with 2.72:1 crawl ratio
The bakkie also stands 1,843mm tall, 1,894mm wide, and 5,591mm long – making it slightly narrower than the Toyota Hilux, but both longer and higher.
Photos of the North American Jeep Gladiator can be viewed below.
Jeep Gladiator
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