AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
Jan. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/
--
- Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon earns award in its debut year from
leading off-road publication
- FOUR WHEELER judges evaluated new models from several
manufacturers to determine the Jeep Gladiator as "2020 Pickup Truck
of the Year"
- Jeep becomes first brand to win both "SUV of the Year" and
"Pickup Truck of the Year" FOUR WHEELER awards
The 2020 Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon – the most capable midsize
truck ever – has been named FOUR WHEELER "2020 Pickup of the Year."
The award is given annually by the editors of the opinion-leading
off-road enthusiast publication.
"The new Jeep Gladiator is the truck many buyers have been
waiting years for," said FOUR WHEELER Editor Ken Brubaker. "After a week of testing in a
variety of challenging environments, the Gladiator proved that it
is all truck and all Jeep, which is a formidable combination. Mix
in the impressive Rubicon package that includes Tru-Lok
differential lockers, Rock-Trac transfer case with 4:1 low range,
front disconnecting stabilizer bar and full skidplating, and it's
clear the Gladiator is at the front of the class."
Over the course of a week, FOUR WHEELER's judges conducted a
variety of tests spanning more than 1,000 miles of varied terrain
that included pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks, mud and snow. A
loose-dirt hillclimb and water crossings were included in testing
as well. Night driving was also integrated into the competition to
gauge each vehicle's lighting equipment. Judges included staff from
various 4x4 media brands, including FOUR WHEELER, 4-WHEEL &
OFF-ROAD, and JP MAGAZINE.
"When the Gladiator was first announced, there was concern that
it would be too much truck and not enough Jeep, or too much Jeep
and not enough truck," said MOTORTREND GROUP Content Director
Sean P. Holman. "If anything, our
testing has proven that Jeep has hit the sweet spot with the
Gladiator, giving customers one of the finest off-road-capable
midsize trucks on the market."
FOUR WHEELER's Pickup Truck of the Year award event – now in its
31st consecutive year – is an invitation-only competition that is
only open to all-new or significantly revised pickup trucks for the
upcoming model year.
"Our all-new Gladiator Rubicon is the world's only truck that
delivers legendary Jeep 4x4 off-road capability, open-air freedom
and authentic Jeep design," said Jim
Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. "The
Gladiator is 100 percent Jeep and 100 percent truck – the perfect
combination of rugged utility, versatility and functionality that
our loyal Jeep customers have been asking for."
All-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator
The all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator, engineered from the ground up to
be the most off-road capable midsize truck ever, builds on a rich
heritage of tough, dependable Jeep trucks with an unmatched
combination of rugged utility, authentic Jeep design, open-air
freedom, clever functionality and versatility and best-in-class
towing and 4x4 payload.
Equipped with the proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and a
versatile cargo box, Gladiator is built to handle the demands of an
active lifestyle while delivering an open-air driving experience in
a design that is unmistakably Jeep. Combining traditional Jeep
attributes with strong truck credentials, the Jeep Gladiator is a
unique vehicle capable of taking passengers and cargo anywhere. A
multitude of technology features, such as Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto, and safety features, such as Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear
Cross Path detection, adaptive cruise control and Forward Collision
Warning-Plus, further Gladiator's appeal.
All Gladiator models are Trail Rated with a badge indicating
that the vehicle is designed to perform in a variety of challenging
off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented
performance categories: traction, ground clearance,
maneuverability, articulation and water fording. Gladiator Rubicon
models are equipped with signature red tow hooks, Rock-Trac® 4x4
system, featuring a two-speed transfer case with a 4:1 low-range
gear ratio, front and rear heavy-duty Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok®
electric front- and rear-axle lockers, segment-exclusive electronic
sway bar disconnect, cab and bed rock rails and standard 33-inch
Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain off-road tires.
About FOUR WHEELER
Whether you're looking for
the scoop on the latest off-road–capable vehicles straight from the
factory floor or want to see what others have done to their rides,
find the latest tech and keep up with emerging trends from across
the off-road world with FOUR WHEELER, the world's leading 4x4
authority. FOUR WHEELER provides two annual awards, the SUV of the
Year and Pickup Truck of the Year. The Four Wheeler Network
features off-road and 4x4 content from JP MAGAZINE, 4-WHEEL &
OFF-ROAD, and FOUR WHEELER.
About Jeep Brand
Built on more than 75 years of
legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading
capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek
extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation
to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles
that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle
any journey with confidence.
The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass,
Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer
demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left- and
right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel
powertrain options. Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands
offered by global automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. For more
information regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please
visit www.fcagroup.com.
Follow Jeep and FCA US news
and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com
Jeep brand: www.jeep.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep
or https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep or
www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep or
www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or
www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica
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SOURCE FCA