Jeep Gladiator pick-up has two engine options for NZ market

December 2, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

It’s been one of the worst kept automotive secrets of recent years, that Jeep was again developing a pick-up truck after many years without one.

Now it has finally broken cover and will be called the Gladiator when it goes into production in 2019.

It will go on sale in New Zealand in 2020, say Jeep’s PR people, although it is likely to be delayed until 2021.

The new Wrangler’s appearance in NZ has been pushed back. The JL range was due this month, but it won’t be here until at least the middle of next year, say dealers.

Like Wrangler, four Gladiator models will be available – Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon.

Gladiator gets two engine options: 212kW/348Nm 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar petrol and 195kW/595Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel. Gearboxes are either six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.

Jeep says Gladiator’s payload is around 730kg and braked towing capacity 3500kg. It has a 1.5m bed that extends to 2m with the tailgate down.

A video team from Fast Lane Trucks was at the Gladiator unveiling in Los Angeles and presents the video below.

If you are in a position to shell out upwards of NZ$600,000 for the 60^thanniversary Porsche 911 S/T or optional Porsche 911 S/T Heritage, you’ll no doubt want the signature titanium watch that goes with it. That’s how Porsche figures it anyway. Or, if you want the watch you’ll need to get the car. Both the car and the watch are limited to 1963 units, the year the original 911 model broke cover. The watch – Chronograph 1 911 S/T and Chronograph 1 911 S/T Heritage – and the car carry matching edition numbers. The watch is priced at $US13,500, or around $NZ22,200. The car, says Porsche NZ, starts at $NZ608,000. A “strictly limited number” will go into production for NZ early next year.

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