Jeep announced the end of its EcoDiesel engine in the popular Gladiator mid-size pickup. The company is throwing a final hurrah for the rattle juice powerplant, however, in the form of a limited-edition Gladiator Rubicon FarOut trim.
Stellantis brought the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine over from Ram trucks for the second year of Gladiator production in 2021. The EcoDiesel raised the capability bar by providing best-in-class 442 pound-feet of torque, the highest in the midsize pickup truck segment.
Paired with the Stellantis TorqueFlite 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission, the diesel engine delivered more than 500 miles of driving range on a full tank of fuel.
“As the Jeep brand continues its drive to electrification, we are phasing out EcoDiesel technology with the final, limited-edition Gladiator Rubicon FarOut,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America.
“Limited to 1,000 vehicles for the 2023 model year, the special-edition Gladiator Rubicon FarOut builds on the industry’s only open-air pickup truck infused with Trail Rated capability and best-in-class truck utility.”
What’s left?
After the diesel is discontinued, the Gladiator will offer only the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, rated at 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Pentastar will remain available with buyer’s choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or the 8-speed automatic. It seems likely that with the brand’s focus on electrification, a 4xe plug-in hybrid driveline will be offered on the Gladiator sooner rather than later.
The 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon FarOut edition package will be priced at $12,100 over the standard EcoDiesel Rubicon, which translates to $71,790 in total for the FarOut Jeep.
The FarOut edition will feature the EcoDiesel engine and driveline, with a third-generation Dana 44 front and rear heavy-duty axles, a 3.73 axle ratio and the Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio. The FarOut edition includes a tow package and heavy-duty electrics. The vehicle will also include a “Diesel 3.0L” hood graphic and “3.0 D” tailgate badge, a “FarOut” tailgate badge, and black fender decals.
The package also includes 17-inch low-gloss black polished aluminum wheels wearing 33-inch mud-terrain tires. The edition includes LED lights, a steel front bumper, body-color fender flares, and a satin black grille. The bed sports a factory-installed Mopar spray-in bedliner. Inside, you’ll find heated black leather seats and dash panels with red accents.The 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon FarOut edition is priced at $71,790 (including $1,795 destination fee), and is available for ordering through the end of September, with deliveries beginning in the third quarter.