IS JEEP BUILDING A RAPTOR-FIGHTING GLADIATOR PICKUP?
Jeep Gladiator Forum says testing of 'Hercules' has begun
JANUARY 8, 2019
Jeep fans refuse to be satisfied. First, they wanted a new, modern Wrangler, and they got it. Then they wanted a diesel engine, and they got that. After that, the Gladiator pickup came down the pike, and Jeep fans rejoiced. But with head of design Mark Allen alluding to high-speed, sand-dune-ready, Raptor-fighter at the LA Auto Show last year, now the Jeepsters are craving that.
Thankfully, according to The Jeep Gladiator Forums, Jeep is working on “Hercules,” a juiced-up, jacked-up desert racing Jeep. It’s currently “being evaluated for market viability,” so there are just a few prototypes testing, says JGF.
The forum rendered the prototype you see above with Mopar beadlock wheels, larger tires, a front skid plate, Mopar black grille, lift kit, steel front bumpers, rock rails, a ram air hood and larger fender vents.
Comments are generally positive. There’s a lot of talk about engine possibilities, which include a more boosted 2.0-liter turbo, an upgraded Pentastar V6 and possibly a Hemi V8.
As enthusiasts, this is definitely something we can get behind. Currently, there are no real competitors to the Ford Raptor. Ram comes close with the Rebel, Chevy comes close with the Trail Boss and/or the Colorado ZR2 Bison, but we need something with some real suspension travel. Like more than 10 inches (the Raptor has 13).
Regardless, they're just in an early prototype testing phase, so let’s not get too excited. But what a shootout this could be.
Read more: https://autoweek.com/article/rumormi...#ixzz5c2HH2hNO
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