After being launched in the U.S., the Jeep Gladiator is now debuting in Europe. It is slowly finding its feet in the States, which won't be difficult because people had been waiting for this for a very long time. In May and June 2019, Jeep sold 2,584 and 4,231 examples of the Gladiator, respectively. So, now it's time for the automaker to focus on its next stop. The Gladiator will be unveiled at the Camp Jeep Event held every year by the Jeep Owners Group in San Martino di Castrozza, Italy. Just to be clear, the Gladiator is just being launched In Europe. It won't hit dealerships until 2020.

Gladiator Is A Hit In The U.S.

Before the Jeep Gladiator was unveiled, people around the globe dubbed it as a 'Wrangler with a bed'. But the Gladiator is much more than that, even though it is underpinned by the Wrangler's platform. In the States, Jeep offers the Gladiator in four variants - Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. However, the truck will be offered in three variants in Europe, with Sport S trim facing the axe. It makes sense, though, because, in the U.S., the Overland and Rubicon trim constitute for a majority of Gladiator sales.It doesn't look like Jeep will be bringing in the limited-production 'Launch Edition' to Europe. Jeep built 4,190 examples of this special edition for the U.S. market.

That Torque Figure Is A Huge Jump

The biggest change when compared to the American market would be the drivetrain. Here, Jeep has plonked the Gladiator with a 3.6-liter, V-6 Pentastar mill that churns out 285 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque. For the European market, the only engine on offer will be the 3.0-liter, V-6 EcoDiesel engine that makes 260 ponies and 442 pound-feet of torque. Power will be sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the U.S.-spec Gladiator, this one will not feature a manual transmission.

Jeep Gladiator - U.S. specifications

Engine

3.6-LITER PENTASTAR V-6

Type and Description

60-degree, V-type, liquid-cooled

Displacement

(cu. in. / cc) 220 cu. in. (3,604 cu. cm)

Bore x Stroke

3.78 x 3.27 (96 x 83)

Valve System

Chain-driven DOHC, 24 valves and hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers

Fuel Injection

Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless

Construction

Aluminum deep-skirt block, aluminum alloy heads

Compression Ratio

11.3:1

Power

285 HP @ 6,400 RPM

Torque

260 LB-FT @ 4,400 RPM


Jeep Gladiator - European versions

Engine

3.6-liter, V-6 Pentastar

3.0-liter, V-6 EcoDiesel

Horsepower

285 HP

260 HP

Torque

260 LB-FT

442 LB-FT


Gladiator Sport

The Sport will be the entry-level trim. If the variants are not messed around with, this trim could will feature removable doors and a removable roof. The tailgate on offer can be operated in three different positions. It rides on 17-inch black steel wheels as standard. Although the Sport trim in the U.S. is barebones, it might be better-loaded in Europe to bring down the gap between the Sport and Overland trims. Instead of the five-inch screen, it could feature a seven-inch touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

Gladiator Overland

The Overland trim is most practical trim from all angles. It is the mid-trim and offers the best of both the worlds. It is not as off-road focused as the Rubicon, and does well as a daily commuter as well. On the inside, there could be a bigger 8.4-inch, fourth-gen UConnect touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, leather-trimmed seats, etc. All the lights inside are LEDs, thus making for a bright cabin. Since this one won't be a work truck like the Sport trim, the maximum towing and payload capacity could be dropped. Like I mentioned earlier, only one set of ratings has been provided for now. Even in the U.S.-based Overland, the towing capacity is rated up to 6,000 pounds, whereas the payload capacity is rated at 1,140 pounds. The Overland and Sport trim will feature a Command-Trac 4x4 system with a two-speed transfer case as standard.

Gladiator Rubicon

The Rubicon trim is the beast of the lot and comes with a host of differentiating decals on the outside. On the inside, the Rubicon is same as the Overland, but could be TrailCam off-road camera compatible. Yes, it will be an accessory, and I don't see Jeep offering it as standard. It will also feature Jeep's Rock-Trac 4x4 System with up to an 84:1 crawl ratio. This trim also benefits from stuff like a two-speed transfer case, an electronic sway bar disconnect, locking front and rear differentials, and FOX shocks. Jeep has introduced a new Off-Road+ mode that can adjust the throttle, transmission shift points, and stability control depending on the situation.

Final Thoughts

For the launch event at Camp Jeep, the automaker will be showcasing two examples of the Gladiator in Rubicon trim, wearing a White Clear Coat and Black Clear Coat exterior that includes a unique customization created for the occasion by Mopar. Both these Jeeps will be powered by a 3.6-liter gasoline engine that won't make its way to production. Speaking of Mopar, the accessory Lord has more than 150 products for the U.S..-spec Gladiator. Of these, 110 accessories will be made available in Europe. This is a big positive for Jeep, as well as the customers alike, because the Mopar range is nothing less than a Bible for Jeep owners. Do you think the 2020 Gladiator will be successful in Europe? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator.