Jeep has announced that it will go ahead with a diesel version of the Gladiator ute, with first models in US dealerships in the third quarter of the year.

The Gladiator petrol version has just been launched in New Zealand but has been on sale in the States since last year.

The diesel version will be powered by a 3-litre EcoDiesel V6 engine producing 193kW of power and 600Nm of torque – all the better for towing.

“Before we introduced Gladiator, one of the most common questions consumers asked us was, ‘Will you please offer a Jeep truck?,’ followed closely by, ‘Will it be offered with a diesel engine?’ While we know the answer to the first question, I’m pleased to answer the second with a resounding, ‘Yes!’,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand North America.

“Gladiator’s combination of unmatched off-road capability and the vehicle’s fun-to-drive on-road performance, best-ever Gladiator fuel economy and incredible driving range underwrite the fact that our customers knew exactly what they were asking for.”

The EcoDiesel, with engine stop-start (ESS) technology standard, will be available on Gladiator Sport, Overland and Rubicon models.

To handle greater torque loads, the EcoDiesel V-6 connects to a newly added TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low RPM shifts and the on- and off-road duties.

You could expect to see the EcoDiesel in New Zealand next year.

The Gladiator is Jeep’s first double-cab four-wheel drive ute in 27 years and is available in New Zealand starting at $89,990.

Distributed in New Zealand by Ateco Group, the Gladiator is lifestyle pick-up truck that is based on the Jeep Wrangler.