Last week, we covered news that the Jeep Wrangler would be getting a diesel engine option. At the time, we could only speculate if the Gladiator pickup would get one, too. But now, we’ve got new info. And it looks like Jeep’s product planners are speaking our language. Because all signs point to the imminent announcement of a diesel Jeep Gladiator.

Background Information

As we reported previously, last week a photo surfaced on the JL Wrangler forums. The photo, allegedly a 2020 Jeep Wrangler order guide, showed a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 as an available option. Most likely, this was the same EcoDiesel engine available in the 2020 Ram 1500. The order guide also revealed pricing. As the diesel would only be available with the 8-speed automatic, diesel Wranglers would carry a $6000 upcharge for both options.

Because of the similarities between the Wrangler and Gladiator, fitting the pickup with a diesel wouldn’t be terribly difficult. Furthermore, it would finally give FCA a true mid-size diesel pickup. Off-road capability would be an added bonus on top of that.

With limited information, general musing was the most we could do. But not anymore.

New Jeep Gladiator Diesel Photos and Info

Our initial source for the diesel Wrangler information was Jalopnik. However, Motor1 also covered the news at a later time. And they had more to add. Specifically, the diesel powerplant would be available in the Gladiator at some point in 2020.

Going back into the JL Wrangler forum thread, one member, JP18, had asked about a Gladiator diesel. And JLURD, the member who posted the Wrangler guide photo, had responded. Allegedly, the dealer who provided the order guide indicated that diesel Gladiator orders would open up before the end of 2019. Another member, Billy, claimed they had heard about an April 2020 delivery date.

By this point, you might just call all this hearsay. Pics, or it ain’t happening. Well, it turns out the JL Wrangler forums have them. Back in August, member Wolfslash16 snapped a photo of several Jeeps at a Moab gas station. Two were JL Wranglers, and one was a Gladiator. Now, seeing Jeeps at Moab is hardly unusual. That’s their Holy Land. However, Wolfslash16 noticed that these Jeeps weren’t filling up with gasoline: they were at the diesel pumps.

Wolfslash16 attempted to ask one of the drivers what was going on. The only information he divulged was that the EcoDiesel engines were undergoing heat and vibration testing.

Finally, in press releases covering the new Jeep Gladiator XMT, both FCA and AM General revealed that the truck could be available as a diesel.

Current Status of the Jeep Gladiator Diesel

So, to sum up, the Wrangler’s getting an EcoDiesel like the Ram 1500, as is the Gladiator. These options will most likely be unveiled towards the end of 2019, with delivery to start soon after. Pricing for a Gladiator diesel is unknown, although the upcharge probably won’t be too different from the diesel Wrangler’s.

As of this writing, Jeep has not officially commented on any diesel speculation. Neither on the Wrangler diesel nor a Gladiator diesel. But at least there’s proof all this diesel talk isn’t so much hot smoke.