Earlier this week, I pondered, “When will the Jeep Gladiator venture into hybrid territory?” Oddly enough, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa has now confirmed the imminent arrival of such a vehicle. Could it be that he’s picking up on my thoughts? If so, I might as well start contemplating the winning lottery numbers and turn on post alerts for this gentleman on LinkedIn.
It was during Filosa’s announcement of the impending reveal of the Gladiator 4xe on LinkedIn where CarBuzz caught wind of it early on Friday. He didn’t delve into many specifics, merely mentioning it in passing within a broader discussion about expanding the color choices within the brand, stating, “Next year, we’ll extend that freedom of choice even further with a Gladiator 4xe option (colors to be announced)…” The arrival of this news was imminent, and now we have an idea of the timeline until the truck hits the market.
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Andrew P. Collins
Whether it’s apparent or not, this is significant for a primary reason: The Gladiator 4xe could potentially be the first plug-in hybrid pickup truck. Currently, there are no such models on the market since Toyota and Ford’s electrified gas vehicles are traditional hybrids without a plug-in feature. Jeep has already tapped into this market successfully with the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe, which are currently the leading PHEVs in the United States.
Though Filosa didn’t confirm explicitly, it’s probable that the Gladiator 4xe will share the same powertrain as its electrified siblings. This equates to a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque with the assistance of an electric motor. The Wrangler, for instance, achieves up to 21 miles of electric-only range, while the Grand Cherokee manages 25 miles. It’s reasonable to anticipate the Gladiator to offer about 20 miles of electric range.
Plug-in hybrids serve as a viable middle ground for individuals who are considering transitioning away from traditional internal combustion engines but are not yet prepared for fully electric vehicles. Manufacturers have learned this the hard way, particularly in the realm of electric pickups such as the Ford F-150 Lightning. Initial demand was high, but as time passes, the novelty fades, revealing that many individuals may not be inclined towards an EV given their regular driving patterns. The era of electric vehicles will undoubtedly come, but for now, the Jeep 4xe family of PHEVs provides a solid option.
Have a tip or query for the author? Reach out directly at: caleb@thedrive.com
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