2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept

A few innovative features set this truck apart from any would-be rivals, the first being that aforementioned tiny half-door on the driver's side allowing

An innovative feature that set the Gladiator apart from any would-be rival is a tiny half-door on the driver's side allowing access to stored items in the rear seating area. The second is a nifty drawer housing the truck's hydraulic jack, appropriately positioned under the exposed full-size spare. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

access to stored items in the rear seating area. The second is a nifty drawer housing the truck's hydraulic jack, appropriately positioned under the exposed full-size spare. The third really isn't an innovation at all, but the full-size opening cut into the Gladiator's roof delivers a classic wind-in-the-hair Jeep experience benefiting from a convertible top that is a lot more convenient to remove or put back on than that on a TJ.

The last point to be noted regards the Gladiator's overall interior. It's as inviting as utilitarian cabins get, mixing olive drab and charcoal tones with aluminum brightwork, bold angular surfaces that remind of military-origin SUVs of the past, and capping it of with an off-road sportiness that would no doubt be popular if produced. The concept even went so far to include two aluminum

The Gladiator's interior is as inviting as utilitarian cabins get, mixing olive drab and charcoal tones with aluminum brightwork. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

water bottles, slotted into twin cupholders within the centre console. Obviously, DaimlerChrysler has plans to produce OEM aftermarket products specifically for the upcoming pickup truck, to enhance its strong line of Jeep merchandise.

So with that in mind, why should Jeep build the Gladiator? For the same reason it needs to produce last year's Rescue concept. The famed brand is under direct threat by the 7-slat grilled monster it created while under AMC rule, Hummer. The "baddest" SUV nameplate just launched its midsize H3 on a global scale, a model that targets Grand Cherokee customers, while an H3 based pickup truck that showed up in concept form last year is expected to join the Hummer lineup.