Jeep reduces Gladiator tow rating

Australia will be the first market in the world where the Jeep Gladiator dual-cab 4x4 ute is fitted standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

However, Jeep has also confirmed its first ute since the 1986-92 Comanche will be offered in Australia with a lower 620kg payload and 2721kg braked towing capacity than reported earlier this year.

The Wrangler-based ute will also be launched in Australia in the second quarter of 2020 without a turbo-diesel option. But there are strong hints it’s on its way.

At least two Gladiator variants are expected to form the line-up, including Overland and Rubicon, with pricing guesstimated to start from well above $60,000. Jeep is hoping to sell up to 1500 per annum in Australia.

It had been expected the Gladiator would launch in Australia without AEB, meaning a likely one-star ANCAP crash-test result like the Wrangler.

Adding the feature as standard will boost the result, most likely into the three-star range. That will at least take the edge off the fierce criticism the Wrangler received.

The Wrangler itself is now fitted as standard with AEB as part of a MY20 update that went on sale in late October.

Gladiator global engineering boss Elizabeth Krear confirmed that the standard fitment of AEB for the ute in Australia was a world first. It came in response to toughening ANCAP standards, she explained.

“Australia pulled that ahead from the rest of the world,” she said. “We were able to manage it [standard AEB] in time for the launch.

“We knew it early enough, we were able to plan for it, and all of our development testing was tested for it, so we were aware of it and prepared for it.”

The Australian-spec Gladiator also gets standard rock rails to aid crash performance in ANCAP pole testing.

While the AEB outcome is a good one, the reduction in payload from 745kg and the braked towing capacity from 3450kg is unlikely to be received as well by potential buyers.

Most dual-cabs offer the maximum 3500kg towing capability and can accept closer to the metric tonne in their trays.

Krear confirmed the figures quoted earlier in the year were for North America, where a towing pack is available.

She said the decision had been made by international markets, of which Australia is a member, to have the lower payload and towing capacity.

She also pointed to different testing regimes as partly responsible.

“It has to do with the different homologation requirements,” she said. “The trucks are equally capable, but how you do your report and how you do your testing is a little bit different.”

Krear said she was surprised when she first saw the lower numbers.

“I know these vehicles and I know the suspension systems are the same. I know the brakes are the same and I know the axles are the same and I know we moved the steering over here to the right side but that shouldn’t affect anything.

“We’re not adding components. In fact the only component we add for the BUX (international) markets … is a rear-seat sensor.

“In my head I thought it doesn’t make sense and the explanation I was given was it had to do with the rules of the country and the vehicle as it is specced by brand and planning as well.

“Every market has its own strategy for what it wants to offer.”

Meanwhile, Jeep has also confirmed the Pentastar 3.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6 will be the only Gladiator engine available from launch in a market dominated by turbo-diesel engines.

However, global Jeep boss Christian Meunier hinted that diesel was on its way.

“You will hear potentially about the [diesel] Gladiator as well,” he said. “Is it coming to Australia or not? Under study as well.”

The 209kW/347Nm Pentastar engine will mate exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the choice of a part-time or optional full-time 4x4 systems with low-range gearing.

The Wrangler is available in Australia with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel while a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel has just been introduced in North America.

But neither engine has yet been confirmed for Gladiator.