There could be good news on the horizon for fans of
high-performance off-road pickups: Jeep is reportedly planning a Raptor-like
version of the all-new Gladiator, which might be called “Hercules.” The folks from the Jeep Gladiator
Forum claim insider sources told them FCA is considering a high-performance
version of the Gladiator pickup. According to the forum, the vehicle “is
currently being evaluated for market viability so it has not been fully
green-lighted just yet.”
As a result, no supplier contracts have been signed
yet and Jeep is building prototypes for testing purposes. Accurate or not, the
truth is there have been some public statements from FCA hinting at such a
model.
In an interview at the LA Auto Show last year, Jeep
design boss Mark Allen suggested a future high-speed off-roading model is in
the works. “We’re known for a few good things off-road, you’ll see us expand
into high-speed off-road, you’ll see us expand in other ways for Jeep. The
truck is going to be a big help for us to get people to think of us as other
than just SUVs,” Allen told Autoline After Hours.
He didn’t get into details, but the direction Jeep
could take with the Gladiator is pretty straightforward, just like Ford has
done with the Ranger Raptor and Chevrolet with the Colorado ZR2 Bison. If the project gets the green
light, the Gladiator Hercules will definitely adopt a more rugged look and new
hardware. Expect a lift kit, Mopar beadlock wheels shod with larger off-road
tires, steel front bumper, rock rails, skid plates and more.
These speculative renderings courtesy of the Jeep
Gladiator Forum also give the truck a Mopar black grille, ram air hood, larger
fender vents and vented high fenders.
