Jeep® Announces Gladiator Contest Winner & Launch Edition Updates:
Owners Have Been Questioning The Launch Edition Models...
Back at the end of March, the Jeep® brand announced alongside the initial ordering for the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition on April 4th (4×4 Day) that it would be holding the “Find Your Freedom” contest, where people who ordered a Launch Edition would have the opportunity to win one-year’s salary of $100,000, so they can take the time off to enjoy the Jeep lifestyle of pursuing any outdoor adventure. To enter, they the purchaser had to submit their personal “Gladiator” video to be judged by the Jeep brand along with wounded warrior and U.S. Army veteran Noah Galloway, who will choose the winner.
On Tuesday, the brand officially announced Steven Scott from Poway, California, as the winner of its “Find Your Freedom” contest. According to Jeep’s official press release Steven and his wife Jocelyn, are both avid outdoor adventurers, shared their first date in a Jeep Wrangler Sahara model, and their love story ignited from there. In 2009, Steven, after learning he was paralyzed from the waist down during surgery, wrote a letter the next day to remind his future self of all the adventures that awaited him. He included a wish list of all the things he wanted to accomplish in his life, including skydiving, swimming with Great White sharks, in addition to his desire to drive the Rubicon Trail and participate in a Baja 1000/500 race.
“Steven’s determination and fortitude to pursue his love of outdoor adventures in the face of a life-changing obstacle inspired all of us here at the Jeep brand,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Jeep Brand, FCA – North America. “In addition to awarding $100,000 to let Steven and his wife Jocelyn fulfill their wish of taking the year off from work to rediscover their passion for off-roading, the Jeep brand is committed to helping them check off a few of their wish list items, including hitting the Rubicon Trail and attending an upcoming race in Baja. Our sincerest hope is that the Jeep Gladiator allows Steven and his wife to make unforgettable memories together as they celebrate their 20th anniversary, and in the years ahead.”
As for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition, we have been getting several e-mails from people who ordered them being confused about the actual “launch” of the Launch Edition. Several people who ordered the Launch Edition models assumed they would be among the first of the public to receive their Gladiators. However, even though one would assume that would be the case, the Launch Edition officially began production at the Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo, Ohio on Tuesday, May 14th.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Launch Edition, it features a unique forged aluminum tailgate badge, 17-inch Mid-Gloss Black aluminum wheels, 33-inch Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain tires, a wrapped instrument panel mid-bolster painted in Monaco Silver and black leather seats with red accent stitching.
Available in Black, Bright White, Billet Silver Metallic, Firecracker Red and Granite Crystal Metallic, the Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition features a body-color hardtop and fender flares. Standard features include LED head and taillights, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, keyless entry, Forward Facing TrailCam camera, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, ParkSense rear park assist system, Advanced Brake Assist, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Trail Rail Cargo Management System, spray-in bed liner and Trailer Tow. Launch Edition also featured a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and choice of a six-speed manual transmission or the optional eight-speed automatic transmission.
Gladiator Launch Edition is limited to 4,190 units in the United States. All Launch Edition orders were sold out in one day. Launch Edition models will begin shipping to dealers this week, according to our sources.
