CHICAGO: Jeep's 2020 Gladiator Mojave is the first vehicle by the company to earn the brand's Desert Rated badge of honour.
Jeep announced at the Chicago Auto Show last week that its first vehicle to don the Desert Rated badge — a designation which it created to give the model a desert-ready stamp of approval.
More specifically, the rating signals that the truck is "the ultimate in high-speed off-road capability and performance while traversing grueling desert and sand environments." All Desert Rated vehicles need to satisfy tests in five categories — Ride Control and Stability, Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, and Desert Prowess — to earn the badge.
To accomplish this level of durability and off-road capability, the model has received upgrades to the suspension — including a one-inch lift — and special tuning to the internal bypass shocks. Hydraulic jounce front bumpers, a reinforced frame and stronger axles have also been added to keep the driver and passengers safer in rough and sandy terrains.
All these components and additional elements like 33-inch all-terrain tires and "aggressive" front seats come standard with the Mojave trim for the 2020 Gladiator; therefore, the model will come with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, which can put out 285hp of power, and a six-speed manual transmission.
The new Gladiator models outfitted in the Mojave trim will arrive in Jeep showrooms during the second quarter of this year.
