New Jeep Gladiator dual-cab ute to skip diesel and hybrid in Australia

Jeep officials have told journalists during the local launch of the brand’s much-anticipated Gladiator ute that there are no plans for a diesel-fuelled version in Australia.

They also stated that there were no plans for a hybrid version of their pick-up truck either.

Those same Jeep officials have again shrugged off suggestions by journalists that not offering an oil-burning variant may be a serious mis-step for the diesel-loving Australian market.

Jeep Australia director of product brand strategy Guillaume Drelon and Fiat Chrysler Australia (FCA) boss Kevin Flynn did not seem to think having a petrol-only Gladiator would be an issue.

For the record, Australia is getting Gladiators with Jeep’s 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine, producing 213kW at 6400rpm and 353Nm at 4400rpm, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Though no diesel engine has been confirmed for the Gladiator anywhere in the world, it is expected that a 194kW/599Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel will eventually be made available for the Jeep pick-up.

That 3.0-litre V6 diesel is shared with the Wrangler SUV, with both models sharing the same platform.

The “lifestyle pick-up truck” will be available in three variants: Overland, Rubicon and the limited Launch Edition, of which there are only 100 available.

As per the Wrangler line-up, the Gladiator Overland is “the refined one”, said Mr Drelon. It gets 18-inch alloy wheels, Overland-branded seats, and Jeep’s Selec-Trac Active On-Demand 4x4 system.

The Rubicon is “more off-road orientated” and gets 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as Rock-Trac Active On-Demand 4x4 System, Tru-Lok front and rear locking differentials, front sway-bar disconnect, Fox Aluminium-bodied two-inch diameter front and rear shocks, among other off-road gear.

The Launch Edition is like a mash-up of both of those and includes leather-wrapped instrument panel with Rubicon red stitching, exclusive 17-inch black alloy wheels, Rubicon steel front bumper, black leather trim seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, cargo management with trail rail system, lockable rear underseat storage bin, roll-up tonneau cover, spray-in bedliner, and wireless Bluetooth speakers.

The Overland is priced from $75,450 before on-road costs, the Rubicon starts from $76,450 and the Launch Edition is $86,450.

The Gladiator will be offered with a 5 year/100,000km warranty with lifetime roadside assist. Service intervals are set at 12,000km/12 months and cost $399 each time.

An entry-level Gladiator Sport S is expected in Australia before the end of 2020, with a price-tag of about $65,000.