2020 Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition heats up

Jeep Australia has expressed interest in taking the new Launch Edition variant of the hotly-anticipated Gladiator ute.

The Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition uses the fully-loaded Rubicon variant as its base, and is limited to just 4190 vehicles globally.

Each comes with a body-colour hard-top, a forged-aluminium tailgate badge, fender flares and 17-inch mid gloss black aluminium wheels wrapped in 33-inch Falken tyres, while inside, the instrument cluster is finished in a Monaco silver finished and the chairs are furnished in black leather with red stitching.

A spokeswoman for Jeep Australia says the distributor is looking closely at the Launch Edition, pointing out that the decision will likely hinge on right-hand drive availability.

“We are certainly aware of the Launch Edition and will learn about its availability closer to Australian launch,” the spokeswoman said, adding the Gladiator’s Australian arrival would happen in 2020.

At its home in the US, Jeep celebrated the Launch Edition offering by launching a ‘Freedom contest’, whereby buyers go into the draw to win $US100,000 – enough to quit their jobs for the year and go bush-bashing in their new Gladiator.

Already, the Gladiator has seemingly struck a chord with enthusiasts in the US, and initial interest appears to be similar in Australia.

The Launch Edition’s limited production of 4190 vehicles pays homage to the US area code (postcode) of Toledo – 419 – where the Gladiator and Wrangler donor car are assembled.

Using the Gladiator Rubicon as its base, the Launch Edition gets standard features such as LED headlights and taillights, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, nine-speaker stereo, keyless entry, front-facing trail camera, spray-on tray liner and trailer tow package. Power is sourced from a 3.6-litre V6 mated to a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.

It will be available in black, Bright White, Billet Silver Metallic, Firecracker Red (pictured) and Granite Crystal Metallic.

In Australia, Jeep officials are likely to extend the equipment offering to a host of Mopar parts, and are currently in the process of learning ADR requirements for each.

“There’s so many of our customers who love Mopar and and we’re going to be putting our hands up for as many parts as we can,” the spokeswoman said.

Jeep says it will offer more than 200 accessories for the 2020 Gladiator, including lift kits, tubular doors, rock rails and off-road LED lights.

Read the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Review