Mercedes is busy making various changes to its X-Class bakkie before revealing the final production version in a few months’ time. But over in the US, its former stablemate, Jeep, is preparing to bring back a body style it has not had since the demise of the Jeep Truck in 1988. Yes, Jeep is returning to the pick-up market with a version of the new Wrangler due to debut in 2018.
The Jeep Truck was essentially a continuation of the Gladiator, but it was killed off in 1988. Since then Jeep has revealed a number of pick-up concepts, not least of which was in 2005 when it brought back the Gladiator name for a Wrangler-based project.
While the company has been testing the next generation Wrangler for some time, our sources have finally spotted a full pick-up version which we are assured will make it into production this time. It will sit on the same platform as the new Wrangler Unlimited and, like the next generation Wrangler, which is likely to go on sale in Q3 2018, will feature more use of aluminium to reduce weight.
While a hybrid powertrain is under consideration for the new Wrangler, as well as a new diesel engine, the pick-up is likely to only be offered with the Pentastar V6 petrol and an eight-speed auto gearbox. – BD Motor News
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