SPOTTED: 2020 Jeep® Gladiator Sport EcoDiesel:

Recently, the Jeep® brand launched its long-awaited new 2020 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited EcoDiesel lineup and it has raised a lot of questions from our readers of when the third-generation 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 will be making its appearance on the brand’s all-new Gladiator pickup. Our spy photographers have caught a production-spec 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport with the EcoDiesel powertrain testing on the roads of suburban Detroit.

Now, while this particular Sport model features the 3.0-liter diesel badges that were caught on the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara EcoDiesel prototype which we showed you earlier this year. We are told the Gladiator production models will ditch those badges for the decals found on the Wrangler EcoDiesel models.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel will feature the same horsepower and torque ratings as the Wrangler EcoDiesel models, with 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. The Gladiator’s EcoDiesel offering will also feature engine stop-start (ESS) technology as standard equipment. The ZF-sourced TorqueFlite 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission will be the only transmission offering on the EcoDiesel models.

Several significant changes contribute to the new EcoDiesel’s improved dynamic and fuel economy performance. The third-generation EcoDiesel features a new-generation water-cooled turbocharger with variable geometry turbine (VGT) and low-friction bearing increases efficiency and responsiveness during transient conditions. The new diesel features redesigned cylinder head intake ports with higher flow capability improve swirl and flow, increasing performance and fuel economy.

The EcoDiesel has an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system design that has been updated to a dual loop (low and high pressure) system. The added low-pressure circulation system draws gases after the diesel particulate filter, thus minimizing turbocharger energy losses, which increases fuel economy. The compression ratio has been optimized to 16.0:1 from 16.5:1 to improve fuel economy and reduce engine noise, compared to the previous generation. New high-pressure (29,000 psi/2,000 bar) direct-injection fuel injector nozzles were redesigned to match the newly designed and optimized combustion chamber, reducing fuel consumption.

The lightweight aluminum alloy pistons were completely redesigned to include thinner rings and low-friction diamond-like carbon coating on the pin and compression piston ring to reduce parasitic losses. Also, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) have been improved by offsetting the piston pin 0.3 millimeters from the centerline. The lower portion of the two-piece oil sump uses a lightweight sandwiched polymer/metal material, which further also reduces NVH, while a dual vacuum pump system uses electric and a new mechanical low-friction pump with new blades that improve overall system efficiency.

The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 uses dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) with four valves per cylinder and a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks. The block is cast with compacted graphite iron, which provides strength to dampen vibrations, but weighs less than gray cast iron. A compacted graphite iron bedplate adds rigidity to the block.
 
The EcoDiesel V6 engine uses a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods for strength and durability. The aluminum alloy pistons are cooled on the underside via oil jets. Heat-treated aluminum cylinder heads use individual bearing caps to reduce friction and minimize NVH. The chain-driven overhead camshafts employ roller-finger followers.

A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank is located immediately behind the fuel tank with a refill location next to the diesel fuel filler. DEF refills align with oil changes lasting up to 10,000 miles. Levels are monitored via a new DEF gauge in the front cluster. 

As for production dates, no official dates have been released. We the Wrangler EcoDiesel going on sale in the fourth quarter of 2019, we expect that the Gladiator Diesel won’t be too far behind. With the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit being moved to June, the Gladiator EcoDiesel might make an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show in February or at the New York Auto Show in April, as we hear that it should be making an early second-quarter 2020 launch.

We will keep you up to date as more information breaks. So stay tuned…