Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa says the Jeep Gladiator bakkie is “not yet” on the cards for the local market.
The news comes after a partially camouflaged version of the Wrangler-based double-cab bakkie was spotted testing at various locations across the Western Cape. The left-hand-drive test vehicle wore a temporary Gauteng registration plate at the rear.
FCA South Africa told CARmag.co.za the Gladiator was “not yet on the cards for our market”.
The bakkie was revealed as long ago as November 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It features an approach angle of 43,6 degrees, breakover angle of 20,3 degrees, departure angle of 26 degrees and a ground clearance of 282 mm.
The Gladiator features a payload of up to 725 kg and a towing capacity of up to 3 470 kg (in the United States, at least).
In North America, the Jeep bakkie is offered with the brand’s familiar 3,6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with an eight-speed automatic transmission available as an option. A 3,0-litre EcoDiesel V6 engine is set to join the range later, offered exclusively with an eight-speed auto.
