INTERVIEW
Gladiator trail-rates its chances in the ring
Jeep has revealed its Gladiator pick-up and Mark Smyth spoke to some of the team behind it in LA
It’s no surprise that there was a huge level of anticipation around the debut of the new Jeep Gladiator at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The US is the home of pick-ups and Jeep hasn’t had a proper one for a while. Everyone knew it was coming, even dubbing it the new Scrambler, signalling the rebirth of a name that was loved by many. The Scrambler wasn’t originally a real truck though, not according to Mark Allen, head of Jeep Design at Fiat Chrysler. He told us in LA that he has been trying to get a truck back into the line-up for years but the Scrambler name was never on the table because the original in the 1980s was just an extended version of the CJ. He says he actually wanted it to be called the Comanche, after a Cherokee-based bakkie, but in the end it was decided to call it the Gladiator, reviving a name that adorned a Wagoneer-based Jeep pick-up until 1971. Besides he says, it’s Gladiator and that sounds like it means business.
It’s based on the latest generation Wrangler...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.