Jeep created the Gladiator concept back in 2005, giving enthusiasts hope that a variant of its popular Wrangler model could be in the works. Instead, only Mopar offered a conversion kit we all know by now, called the JK8, which converted a standard Wrangler JK Unlimited into a little pickup. It appears that the wait might be closing in on an end, as Jeep president Mike Manley recently mentioned that the next-generation Wrangler could get a pick-up variant.
"Pretty soon." That's the answer Jeep president Mike Manley gave to Australian site Car Advice when asked about a decision on a Jeep pickup truck. And with the next-generartion Wrangler planned for arrival in 2015 or 2016, this is the window for getting with planners. There's certainly plenty of lust for a Jeep pickup - just look at the strong sales of Mopar's JK8 kit. The redesigned Wrangler is due in either 2015 or 2016, which means the American automaker should be making a decision on a Wrangler ute in the near future. The major question is whether or not it'll be a two-door or a four-door ute, since they are "very different cars," according to Manley.
Making a Wrangler variant that can't live up to the stalwart Jeep's off-road standards is a concern for Manley. The approach and departure angles of a four-door wouldn't be a problem, but the length of a pickup would mean "your break-over angle gets destroyed," said Manley, and in that case he wonders, "Then is it really a Wrangler?" The two-door, however, would have "no issue at all."
Another idea would be to build a Jeep pickup on a Fiat platform, perhaps the one underpinning the next Liberty. That could be a model distinct from the Wrangler line and, while still possessing the off-road promise of a Jeep. Manley only spoke of that hypotetically, though, saying he could "see the opportunity in the future" for such a vehicle. It shouldn't be long before we know one way or another.
The other possibility for the brand is to create a new ‘ute' model, which would separate it from its popular Wrangler model. Either way, Manley is very optimistic about its relationship with Fiat saying that the platforms are very versatile to work with.
