UPDATE: Our 2020 Jeep Gladiator First Review is now available.
Almost a year after a heavily disguised prototype of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup was spied out on maneuvers, a new and better-developed incarnation has surfaced. While still heavily camouflaged, this version of the eagerly awaited addition to the Wrangler family appears more refined, particularly in the aft section where what looks to be a production-spec bed has replaced the one-off box fitted to its predecessor. This time around, the width and proportions are properly matched to the body–in this case, a 4-door Wrangler Unlimited–and the fender cutouts line up with the wheel centers.
Also: Class of 2018: The New and Redesigned Cars, Trucks and SUVs
Codenamed “JT,” this new Wrangler Pickup will be built off of the same new architecture set to underpin the redesigned 2018 Jeep Wrangler which carries a “JL” internal designation. While the platform will incorporate a considerably greater percentage of weight-saving materials, it’s expected to rely more on high-strength steel than aluminum to help trim those extra pounds.
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The new Jeep Wrangler reportedly will offer the choice of FCA’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged “Hurricane” 4-cylinder that’s rumored to develop close to 300 horsepower and be backed by a new 8-speed automatic as well as the well-proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. A turbodiesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains also are believed to be in the pipeline. While the basic Wrangler family will enter production late this year, the Pickup build won’t start until 2019. All Wrangler variants will be assembled at the newly upgraded Jeep facility in Toledo, Ohio.
More Jeep News:
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: SUV with a Hellcat heart
2018 Jeep Compass First Review
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Summit models unveiled
