The all-new gladiator is a nod to the old Jeep school

If we know All that concerns the American automotive industry is that American motorists are thirsty for vans and automakers give up boring little cars. It is not surprising then that Jeep, perhaps the most starred and scratchiest manufacturer in the world, gets into fun. Today, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, he unveiled the Gladiator, a brand new model that puts everything Jeep lovers love in a ride with a bed.

If you like the utilitarian style of Wrangler, you'll love the Gladiator. From the front, they could be the same vehicle. The round headlights and the seven-slot grille are present and correct, but Jeep designers have expanded the admissions for maximum cooling when towing. There is a very small glimpse of aerodynamics on the vehicle in blocks, where engineers have very subtly swept the top of the grille to soften the flow of air. These headlights are now LED, with daytime running lights inserted. The turn signals are bars above the giant wheel arches.

At the rear, the Gladiator has a wide door leading to a large cargo area. The spare wheel, usually mounted on the rear door, resides under the bed, behind the rear axle. Insert liners and bedspreads are available, as well as lighting, power outlets and clips, for all your off-road adventure needs.

Jeep launched its first pick-up, the Willys, a long time ago, in 1947, but it has not yet reached the milestone since the production of the Comanche, based in Cherokee, in 1992. Now that the he is back with a bed, he has not forgotten the features the customers most desire. The doors come off (the size of the hex bolt you will need is stamped on the hinge). A soft top is available. The windshield folds. Jeep offers 4×4 systems, insane crawl ratios for climbs and up to 30 inches of ford. The towing capacity is 7,650 pounds, which according to Jeep is the best in its clbad. The eight-speed automatic transmission will work for most people, but you can get a gearshift if you want to control the 3.6-liter V6 engine yourself. And for those looking for extra torque, a diesel engine will come in 2020.

If creature comfort is important to you, you probably are not watching Jeeps, but the Gladiator offers some modern features, including an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and two or three USB ports. But the interior is more sturdy and waterproof, with good buttons and buttons in the old, and better for this one.

Jeep will build the Gladiator at its plant in Toledo, Ohio, where its vehicles have been badembled since 1941. The brand has a lot of heritage and nostalgia on which to tap, but the Los Angeles show highlights the new competition. The startup Rivian was seduced by a 100% electric van and an SUV, promising unmatched off-road capabilities to compete with any Jeep. And traditional automakers like Ford are planning to take out sedans from mid-size trucks. For now, Jeep is happy to revive the past. Maybe for his next act, he can add a battery and push an electric gladiator in the future.

Biggest cable stories