For some, the Jeep Gladiator in standard guise simply doesn’t look menacing enough. Well, the folks over at Apocalypse have released a new package for the iconic American off-roader that is sure to resolve this issue.
The obvious focus of the HellFire design is its 6×6 wheel configuration (something we’ve seen done before on Jeep’s bakkie), which accomodates a 2,4-metre bed with a roll-down metal locking enclosure on the rear double axle and a set of 10-ply 40-inch off-roading tyres.
The look is tied together by a comprehensive body kit which is finished in a three-part Kevlar coating. The kit features a quarter-inch-thick full steel face bumper with an LBS winch and windshield armour. Ease of access to the cabin is provided by the door-activated power running boards. At the rear, you’ll find a (likewise quarter-inch-thick) full steel bumper with a hitch that allows towing up to 5 500 kg. If you want to be more in touch with your surroundings, you can also remove the roof and doors.
The interior is just as dramatic. From the floor to the ceiling, marine-grade hand-stitched luxurious leather upholstery has been used. The cabin also plays host to a number of features, such as push-button start, satellite navigation, a premium audio system and a full-time rear-view camera mirror display.
A large focus has been placed on lighting as well. In the cabin, a six-switch high-output LED control cluster has been fitted, while the exterior gains LED headlamp clusters with colour-changing halo rings.
What about performance? Standard fit for the HellFire 6×6 is Chevrolet’s LS3 6,2-litre V8, which delivers 373 kW and 540 N.m of torque. Adding context to its HellFire moniker, the Jeep can also be kitted out with Mopar’s Hellcat supercharged 6,2-litre V8, which pushes 529 kW and 875 N.m of torque to the wheels via a high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission.
To aid its handling capabilities, the off-roading chassis has been fitted with an active suspension setup. A proprietary mechanical drivetrain supplies power to all six wheels and allows the driver to switch from four-wheel to six-wheel drive when needed.
For the entire package, the HellFire 6×6 features an asking price of $150 000 (approximately R2,24-million)…
