Gladiator

Make
Jeep
Segment
Sports Car

Aside from the V8-powered Rubicon 392 model, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe (pronounced four-by-ee) plug-in hybrid model is the fastest, most powerful one available. It pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, plus a 25-mile all-electric driving range. We doubt Jeep would go through the trouble to develop this new PHEV drivetrain without plans to put it into other vehicles. The next choice is pretty obvious.

Jeep has previously hinted that the 4xe drivetrain would make its way into the Gladiator pickup truck. And now someone on Jeep Gladiator Forum has spotted the company's first subtle teaser for the Gladiator 4xe.

Jeep will be the first company to offer a PHEV drivetrain on a pickup truck if this rumor is true.

Jeep recently changed its cover photo on Facebook to what, on the surface, appears to be an interior shot showing the Wrangler 4xe. However, keen-eyed Jeep enthusiasts noticed a few minuscule details that point to this interior being that of a Gladiator, not a Wrangler.

For example, the roll bar on the driver side sits at 90-degrees, a feature from the Gladiator. Another forum member noticed a cargo bed light button, which is not present on the Wrangler. There's a small chance this photo could hint at a two-door Wrangler 4xe based on the roll bar, but the presence of four window switches likely eliminates that possibility.

An official reveal could be imminent, and with the Chicago Auto Show coming up next month (typically a big show for new truck reveals), we imagine the wait won't be much longer. If Jeep goes through with dropping the 4xe drivetrain into the Gladiator, we see no reason why the Rubicon 392 motor couldn't join the lineup as well. A 2022 Jeep Gladiator with 470 hp sounds hilarious.