Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner: Ultimate high performance pickup built to conquer the desert
MUSCAT: Dhofar Automotive, the official distributor of Jeep, Dodge, RAM, Chrysler, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles in the Sultanate, has announced the arrival of the Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner, the ultimate in high-speed off-road capability and performance in desert environments to Dhofar Automotive showrooms.
Courtesy of the brand’s renowned 4x4 system and significant suspension upgrades, which underwent extensive testing over harsh sand and desert terrain for vehicle durability and protection, the Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner is the first Jeep in the Middle East to wear the ‘Desert Rated’ badge.
Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner models feature new, speciallytuned FOX™ 64-mm (2.5-inch) internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs, industry-exclusive FOX front hydraulic jounce bumpers, a reinforced frame, a 25-mm (1-inch) front suspension lift with a silver front skid plate, stronger axles with castiron steering knuckles, aggressive front seats with integrated upper bolsters and standard 33inch tires. All of these standard features enable the Gladiator Sand Runner to become the Jeep brand’s first Desert Rated vehicle.
Hatem El-Naggar, General Manager at Dhofar Automotive, said, “We are very pleased to welcome this premium version of Jeep Gladiator to Dhofar Automotive Showrooms in the Sultanate. The Gladiator Sand Runner is the most off-road capable mid-size pickup and brings Jeep’s exceptionally high standards for off-road performance to the Middle East’s extreme desert conditions. Developed and tested in some of the world’s most harsh and rugged regions, the Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner was built in the desert and for the desert. It delivers a new level of capability with the ability to master challenging rock and sand terrains with ease.”
Legendary Jeep 4x4 capability The starting point for the Sand Runner’s new level of capability is the Gladiator’s proven Command-Trac 4x4 system. The Jeep Command-Trac 4x4 system is used to provide higher 4LO (low range) operating speeds for climbing dunes and other challenging desert events.
To earn the Desert Rated badge, Jeep engineers equipped the Gladiator Sand Runner with specially-tuned high-performance FOX 64-mm (2.5-inch) internal bypass shocks to maximizs handling, comfort and bottomout resistance on high-speed sand runs.
Industry-first FOX front hydraulic jounce bumpers, which combine race-proven technology with new, cutting-edge features, add additional damping force as the suspension reaches maximum compression to soften impacts and prevent bottoming out in harsh off-road situations.
These engineering enhancements to the Gladiator Sand Runner’s suspension provide ride control and confidence on any high-speed sand or desert terrain, while an Off-Road Plus button allows drivers to take the Gladiator to the next level of tractive capabilities. With the push of the button, the driver triggers adjustments to the throttle, transmission shift points and traction control for peak performance on higher speed passes on sand terrain, as well as during low-speed soft sand and rock crawling conditions. In addition, for the first time on a Jeep, the Off-Road Plus drive mode on the Gladiator Sand Runner enables drivers to lock their rear axle at high speeds while in a high range, “4H”.
Proven powertrain
The Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and features engine stop-start (ESS) technology as standard equipment. It is engineered to provide a broad torque band with a focus on lowend torque, an essential trait needed for extreme off-roading. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6.
Inside the cabin, the Gladiator Sand Runner features more aggressive front seats with integrated upper bolsters to hold occupants comfortably in place during high-speed off-road driving.