Jeep was born to serve the military and they’re
returning to their roots by unveiling the all-new Gladiator XMT. Developed by AM General, the
truck is a light tactical vehicle which was introduced yesterday at the
Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army.
Billed as an “Extreme Military-Grade Truck (XMT),”
the model is based on the Gladiator and modified by AM General. The company
didn’t go into specifics, but said they have identified a series of parts and
accessories that amplify the Gladiator’s capability and off-road
maneuverability.
That isn’t much to go on, but the picture shows the
Gladiator has been equipped with a rugged front bumper, a grille guard and a
winch. We can also see rock rails, tubular doors and special seats with
three-point harnesses. The truck also has new mirrors and special wheels that
are wrapped in massive BFGoodrich tires.
Little else is known about the truck, but Jeep’s
North American boss, Jim Morrison, said the Gladiator is a “perfect foundation
for this ultra-capable military concept vehicle” as it features “incredible
approach, breakover and departure angles” as well as unmatched versatility,
capability and functionality.
While the Gladiator XMT is a concept, the companies
hinted the truck could go into production during the second half of 2020. Jeep
also said they could offer a diesel version as a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 will
become available on the Gladiator next year. It produces 260 hp and 599 Nm of torque. There would also be a petrol engine in the form of
the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It’s rated at 285 hp and 352 Nm of torque.
