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Jeep Gladiator to Come in 2012

The tie-up between the Italians from Fiat and American manufacturer Chrysler is taking more and more interesting shapes. With the recently released list of 2011 model year vehicles coming from Chrysler still resonating in our minds, some have dug even deeper and traveled through time two years in the future.

Earlier this year, rumor of a new pickup version based on the iconic Jeep Wrangler surfaced. According to motori.it, the model has long passed the rumor stage and is strongly considered by the mixed Italian-American management.

The model is supposed to get ready for a market entrance in 2012, based on the next generation Wrangler platform. From the visual standpoint, the pickup version of the model will take inspiration from the now five years old Jeep Gladiator concept model.

Jeep is supposed to be aiming a bigger transport capacity with the Wrangler pickup. Bigger than most of its competitors, that is. It's not yet clear what the model will be packing under the hood, but it will definitely not be the 2.8l, 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel (163 hp and 295 lb.·ft of torque) fitted on the version presented at the Chicago Auto Show.

Apparently, a concept version of the new Jeep Wrangler pickup has already been shown earlier this month to dealers. Apparently, the model is yet unnamed, but speculation is the carmaker is very keen on the Gladiator name, so it's likely they'll keep it for the model.

The production version of the Gladiator is expected to be presented at the end of 2011, with the start of sales to take place in early 2012.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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