Hennessey’s Jeep Gladiator-based Maximus
1000 is an absolute animal and was recently put to the test by the Texas tuning
company in the desert. In making the ultimate Jeep Gladiator, Hennessey uses a
6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 from the Challenger and Charger models. A
series of alterations see power from this engine lifted to 1,000 hp and 1,264 Nm, significant increases over the 707 hp and 881 Nm)that the Hellcat engine ordinarily churns out.
While Hennessey’s Jeep Gladiator means
business about straight-line grunt, the tuner has also worked extensively on
modifying the car’s underpinnings to make it more capable off road. For
example, there is a 6.5-inch lift kit with King shocks, upgraded front and rear
axles and driveshafts, and huge 37-inch off-road tires.
Creature comforts also come in abundance
with the vehicle. There are automatic side steps and a bespoke diamond-quilted
interior finished in red and black leather. Many visual modifications have also
been made, including a black bull bar up front alongside an LED light bar.
Hennessey Performance will build just 24
examples of the Maximus 1000 and says it has already delivered four examples.
The truck isn’t cheap, commanding a price tag of US$ 225,000, including the base
Gladiator it is built around. Fortunately, the Maximus does come with a 3-year
/ 36,000 mile (58,000 km) warranty.
