Jeep pickup prototype spotted — report

Rumours that Jeep may be about to produce a new pickup have become stronger, with reports that a prototype has been spotted on test in the US, writes Brian Byrne.

The suggestions are that it will be based on the recently launched new Wrangler. The Jeep Gladiator concept from 2005 (above) showed that the company has been looking hard at the idea for some time.

The Gladiator name comes from 1963 when a pickup based on the Jeep Wagoneer 4WD station wagon was introduced. The name was dropped after 1971, when the range was simply known as the Jeep Pickup until it was discontinued in 1985.

A 4-door Crew Chief Pickup concept was shown at the annual Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, in 2016. It was unusual in that it lacked the traditional Jeep vertical bars grille. But it does have a grille shape reminiscent of the original Wagoneer Gladiator.

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