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2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X AEV Edition Review: Off-Road Ready, If You Are

That infotainment is served up on a large 13.4-inch touchscreen, with wi-fi Apple AutomobilePlay and Android Auto assist, plus a wi-fi telephone charging pad within the heart console. There’s native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Play retailer entry and a split-screen UI that may deal with smartphone projection and native apps exhibiting concurrently. GMC’s in-vehicle trailering app additionally comes preloaded.

A 12.3-inch digital driver’s cluster is customary too, together with a 15-inch head-up show and rear digital camera mirror. Sadly, when you do get adaptive cruise management, GM’s glorious Super Cruise system is not out there on the AT4X trim. No, the hands-free freeway driver assistant would not be a lot use to you out on the paths, nevertheless it certain would make attending to stated trails much less of a headache. It appears a disgrace that, regardless of the same value tags, GMC makes you select between probably the most luxurious driving options or probably the most off-road prepared.

As my colleague Michael Teo Van Runkle already found, the AT4X and AEV trimmings make the Sierra plenty capable out in the mud and sand. Happily, they do not solely destroy consolation if you’re on the asphalt. Though we’re not speaking Denali-level cosseting, the Multimatic dampers assist maintain issues from getting too bouncy.

There’s noticeable street noise at larger speeds, nevertheless, and the reality of the matter is that grip is prioritized for off-roading functions, not sportier on-road driving. This is not a pickup you will need to throw into the corners. With a 19 mpg metropolis, 20 mpg freeway, and 19 mpg mixed EPA gas economic system score, in the meantime, the diesel is not fairly as environment friendly as it’s in different Sierra varieties. That stated, an honest measurement gas tank means loads of vary between stops.

Adam Driver Says ‘F— You’ To Dumb Question About His Ferrari Movie

Adam Driver, a former Marine and now an Academy-Award-nominated actor, had a blunt response to a question about the crash scenes in the movie Ferrari at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland.

When an audience member asked Driver what he thought about the crash scenes, calling them harsh, drastic, and cheesy, Driver responded with a curt “Fuck you. I don’t know. Next question.”

The question may have seemed inappropriate considering Driver’s role as an actor in the film, not part of the special effects crew.

Driver stars as Il Commendatore in the new Ferrari biopic directed by Michael Mann, with the film having premiered at the Venice Film Festival. A press tour has taken the movie and select cast/crew members to festivals around the world, including a recent stop in Poland. The public premiere in the United States is scheduled for December 25.

Ferrari revolves around the automaker’s competition in the 1957 Mille Miglia and the personal struggles of Enzo Ferrari. The trailer shows wheel-to-wheel racing action against a Maserati, as well as Enzo managing his relationship with his wife while having a mistress.

The story behind the 1957 Mille Miglia is expected to be captivating on the big screen, as it marked a tragedy and triumph for the automaker, involving fatalities of a Ferrari driver and spectators, ultimately leading to the end of the Mille Miglia as a competitive challenge for new vehicles.

This Conversion Kit Brought The Jeep Truck Back To Life Before The Gladiator Was Reborn

Summary

  • Jeep’s origins can be traced back to its role in World War II, where it served as a reliable transport vehicle for troops. After the war, Jeep successfully transitioned into producing civilian versions.
  • The Jeep CJ models, from 1944 to 1986, were the first fully production-ready civilian Jeeps. Over the years, they underwent updates and modifications to improve their powertrains and design.
  • In 1986, Jeep introduced the Wrangler as a replacement for the CJ models. It maintained the off-road capabilities of its predecessors while offering a more comfortable ride. This design has remained iconic throughout subsequent generations.

Jeep is a company that has remained true to its roots since its inception. It was originally created to transport troops through rough terrain during World War II. After the war, Jeep began producing civilian versions, which proved to be a great success. Over time, the iconic Willys Jeep evolved into the beloved Wrangler that is cherished by enthusiasts.

However, Jeep primarily focused on producing off-road SUVs, leaving a gap in their lineup for a base pickup truck. It wasn’t until 2011 that they offered a truck conversion kit for the Wrangler, which received a positive response from consumers. This eventually led to the revival of the Gladiator name after 47 years.

Historical archives, Mopar press materials, and reputable sites like MotorTrend and KaiserWillys were referenced to create this feature about the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck.

RELATED: Jeep’s Return to Military Service Could Go Through The Gladiator Pickup

Jeeps Began As Trucks

The early military vehicles that would later become Jeeps can be described as trucks. These 4×4 utility trucks were initially designed in 1941 for transporting troops and towing supply trailers through challenging terrains. They served multiple purposes:

  • The flat hood could be used as a map table, surgery table, or games table.
  • They could be used as power plants, light sources, and provided warmth with their hot engines.
  • With the proper tools, they could be used as snow plows, dig furrows and trenches, and more.

While not the most comfortable vehicles, people loved them for their versatility. Discussions about creating a civilian Jeep had already begun in 1942, and in 1943, Willys-Overland, the manufacturer of these vehicles, filed for the Jeep name. In 1945, they introduced the first mass-produced four-wheel drive civilian model, the CJ (Civilian Jeep). The CJ became an incredibly popular vehicle and remained in production for over four decades.

RELATED: The Unmatched History Of The Jeep Wrangler

Jeep History: 1944-1986

Olive Drab 1941 Willys MB
Jeep

From 1944 to 1986, Willys produced the CJs (Civilian Jeeps), but the full production model of Civilian Jeeps was not available until 1945. The CJ-1 was a prototype based on the military vehicle, with quick modifications for testing, such as a tailgate, drawbar, and canvas-style top. Only two CJ-1s were made, and none survived. In the same year, they produced the second prototype, of which around 45 were made for further testing.

Jeep CJ Generations

Model

Production Years

CJ-1

1944

CJ-2

1944-1945

CJ-2A

1945-1949

CJ-3A

1949-1953

CJ-3B

1952-1968

CJ-5

1954-1983

CJ-6

1955-1981

CJ-5A and CJ-6A Trim package

1964-1968

CJ-7

1976-1986

The fully production-ready CJ-2A was introduced in 1945. It continued with a similar design but received updates to its powertrain and special editions. The CJ-5, which replaced the Willys name with just “Jeep CJ-5” after 1964, became the first model to carry the Jeep CJ name. Despite the introduction of new models, the CJ-5 remained in production. From the CJ-1 to the final CJ-7, the CJs were produced for over four decades.

RELATED: 10 Things Only True Off-Roaders Know About The Jeep Wrangler CJ-7

Big Changes From 1986

Red 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Mecum Auctions

In 1986, the Jeep CJ models were replaced with an all-new vehicle called the Wrangler. The Wrangler was no longer a pickup truck but a compact SUV that maintained the off-road capabilities of its predecessors while providing a more comfortable ride. This design, which featured the iconic elements of the original Willys Jeep, has remained consistent throughout subsequent generations, including the latest JL Wrangler. Jeep has managed to preserve the essence of the original off-road vehicle, much like Porsche has with the 911 and Mercedes with the G-Wagen.

RELATED: Why the TJ is still the best Wrangler to date

The Wrangle JK-8 Conversion

At this point, Jeep had already entered its third generation with the Wrangler JK (produced from 2006 to 2018). Just before the second-generation TJ Wrangler was replaced, Jeep showcased a 2005 Gladiator concept, which was a pickup truck. Although the concept received high demand, Jeep initially had no plans to put it into production. However, in 2011, they decided to offer a pickup truck conversion kit for the JK Wrangler.

The officially licensed JK-8 conversion kit could be purchased for $5,499, excluding the labor cost for installation. This kit transformed a four-door Wrangler into a modern version of the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8. It could be installed at Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram dealerships. The kit included a shortened, removable fiberglass roof panel, new body panels for the pickup bed, a bulkhead behind the front seats, B-pillars, and rollbar extensions.

Jeep enthusiasts, accustomed to modifying their vehicles for off-roading, were thrilled with this dealer-offered modification. However, the kit required cutting, drilling, and welding, making it difficult to reverse the conversion. Jeep claimed that almost anyone could install the kit and even did a live demonstration of their engineers converting a Wrangler in an hour. The best part was that if the kit was installed by a dealer, it came with a 36,000-mile warranty. However, this was a temporary solution to satisfy the demand for a Jeep pickup truck.

RELATED: 10 Things You Should Know About The Jeep CJ-5

Jeep Decided To Build The Gladiator

The Gladiator name had been used previously in the Jeep lineup. The original Jeep Gladiator was a conventional pickup truck produced from 1962 to 1971, sharing its underpinnings with the Jeep Wagoneer of that time. It had a different appearance from the existing CJs, with the only similarity being the grille design. The Gladiator was available in both four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive options, while the Jeeps were permanently four-wheel drive.

The Gladiator name disappeared with the second-generation pickup truck, but it was revived 47 years later. The new Gladiator was introduced in 2018 and went on sale in 2019. It proved to be a success, with buyers showing great interest in this new pickup truck alongside the Wrangler SUV. The new Gladiator shares its underpinnings with the Wrangler JL, maintaining the iconic design but in a pickup truck form. It is the first pickup truck in the Jeep lineup since the discontinuation of the Comanche in 1992.

Black Jeep Gladiator
Jeep

Jeep Gladiator Dimensions And Engine Specifications

Length

218 inches

Wheelbase

137.3 inches

Width

73.8 inches

Height

73.1–76.1 inches

Engine

3.6 liter V6/3.0 liter turbo diesel

Power

285/260 horsepower

Torque

260/442 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed manual/Eight-speed auto

Drivetrain

Four-wheel drive

Payload

1,000-1,700 pounds

Towing Capacity

4,000-7,650 pounds

Curb weight

4,650–5,072 pounds

Special editions of the Gladiator have been released, including the Rubicon Launch Edition, North Edition, Mojave, High Altitude Edition, Altitude, Willys Edition, and Texas Trail Edition. Some buyers have even undertaken extensive modifications, such as 6×6 conversions, due to the pickup truck configuration. The new breed of Wranglers and Gladiators carries on the legacy of the Jeep brand, offering off-road capabilities without compromising simplicity and ruggedness.

Hublot Unveils Three New Big Bang UNICO Watches For Summer

Hublot recently hosted an extravagant celebration at the illustrious Villa Cap Estel. The event served as the enchanting platform for the exclusive “Hublot Loves Summer” experience, solidifying the brand’s reputation for elegance and sophistication. A highlight of the day was the unveiling of the breathtaking Big Bang Unico Azur timepiece, Hublot’s latest special edition luxury watch inspired by the serene colors of the Mediterranean. Limited to a mere fifty pieces, this exquisite timepiece will only be available at Hublot’s French Riviera boutiques, located in the opulent cities of Monaco and St Tropez. The Big Bang Unico Azur paints a watchmaking masterpiece, immersing its wearer in deep azure hues.

Encased in high-tech blue ceramic, the watch features luminescent hands and hour markers that crisscross, mimicking the rhythmic wake of a vessel at sea. Powering this masterpiece is the HUB128 Unico self-winding chronograph movement. Finally, the Big Bang Unico Azur comes with two strap options, one of Hublot’s signature natural rubber and an elegant white calfskin leather, allowing the wearer to customize their luxury timepiece experience. In addition to the Big Bang Unico Azur, Hublot unveiled a special Big Bang Unico Sky Blue inspired by a cloudless sky on a hot summer day. The all-new luxury Big Bang Unico timepieces from the Hublot Loves Summer Collection are currently available, starting at $23,800.