The first thoughts that that may hit you when you see the production-ready Jeep Gladiator pickup is “Thank God gas prices are down around $2.40 in some parts of the country,” and “no other brand could really pull this off.”

Jeep is the life-blood of FCA, churning out wonderful profits from the Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Now, as FCA has begun the phase-out of its sedans, it finally comes forth with the most un-sedan vehicle I can think of.

Cha Ching. Jeep lovers and loyalists will ring up the register for what is essentially a Wrangler pickup, with fully removable doors and a folding windshield. The Wranglerish details are all present and accounted for, Sir! Round headlights, fender flares, boxy aggressive stance, leaking fun all over the place, and the Wrangler’s alpha interior.

The Gladiator comes on an appropriately longer wheelbase that is 31 inches longer than that of the Wrangler Unlimited to cope with the pickup bed. It has solid axles rear and front, with a five-link coil rear suspension.

The 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. There is a part-time four-wheel drive system as with many pickups, so you can choose your time to employ all four tires.

FCA says it will tow 7,650 pounds, which is best in class among Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, etc. But you have to order the Sport trim Gladiator to hit the max. Payload limit is 1,600 pounds. The bed is five-feet long. See all the specs here.

The Gladiator’s price has not been set yet, but with the huge brand equity of Jeep worldwide, it appears to be stuffed with profits for FCA. In fact, it ought to come in “money green.” “It has amazing capability…it well sell like hotcakes,” says Ian Beavis, chief strategy officer at automotive marketing firm AMCI. There is a Sport trim, a Sport S and a luxurious Overland trim of the Gladiator. Top of the line is the Rubicon, with, as the name suggests, a lot of gear and features for rock crawling. Want 35-inch tires? You can get em on the Rubicon.

The hard-top on this newest member of the Jeep family comes off in three pieces. The soft top works similarly to the Wrangler with the rear window removable, or the whole business folded up to be redeployed if it rains. Did we say this is a fun-mobile? Can’t wait to drive it…preferably in the desert of New Mexico.

Currently, Editor-in-Chief of New Roads Media, I have covered all aspects of the auto industry for some thirty years for publications including USA Today, Businessweek, AOL Autos, Popular Mechanics, Adweek and Advertising Age. Besides my journalism experience, I have also wo…