FCA Nixes Jeep Gladiator Turbo Inline-four Motor
JL base motor simply isn’t powerful enough for the upcoming pickup, according to The Drive.
It seemed like we waited forever for the JL Wrangler. But it felt like an even longer wait for the Gladiator. That’s because, well, it was. Jeep hasn’t had a pickup since 1992, and as soon as the Gladiator was announced, it sounded like it was going to be all things to all people.
And at first glance, it looks like it fits the bill. Four-wheel drive comes standard. Its five-foot bed can handle most jobs with ease. It has all the amenities of a JL Wrangler. Drivers can even fold down the windshield and take the roof off. It’s almost perfect. But according to The Drive, there is one thing missing: the JL’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four.
Instead, the Gladiator will come equipped with Old Reliable: The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. That’s by no means a bad thing; that engine is on its way to rival the legendary 4.0-liter straight-six in terms of longevity in the Jeep lineup. But the new 2.0 is an exciting addition to the Wrangler lineup. And with 285 horses, 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, it’s one of the most advanced powerplants Jeep has launched in years.
Reaching out to Jeep about the decision to nix the new turbo four, The Drive got this reply: “The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing.” This, of course, implies that the new engine can’t. It may be cryptic, but that also leaves room to hope that maybe the new engine will become available a year or two down the line.
Plus, the Pentastar will be joined by the 3.0 liter EcoDiesel V6 sometime in 2020, so Gladiator buyers will have some interesting powerplant options. Until then, Jeep truck owners will just have to content themselves with a best-in-class 7,650-pound towing capacity, Jeep’s off-road prowess, and the fact that they own the hottest pickup truck on and off-road.
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