Originally expected to debut for the 2025 model year, the Gladiator 4xe has now been delayed until 2026 for reasons that remain unclear. It will be accompanied by the Wrangler 4xe SUV, which is set to receive a power boost.
According to Mopar Insiders, Stellantis is planning to equip both models with a new hybrid automatic transmission, the ZF-supplied 8HP80PH. This transmission, an upgrade from the current 8HP75PH, is rumored to produce 215 horsepower and 332 pound-feet (450 Newton-meters) of torque—significantly more than the 134 horsepower and 181 pound-feet (245 Newton-meters) of its predecessor.
While battery specifications for the 2026 models are not yet available, reports indicate that an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles (50 kilometers) could be expected. In fully electric mode, both the Gladiator 4xe and Wrangler 4xe are said to reach a top speed of 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour).
The fourth-generation 8HP transmission entered mass production in 2022 in Saarbrücken, Germany. The BMW Group and the former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles were among the first automakers to place orders for this revised transmission.
The 8HP80PH represents the most advanced and powerful version of the fourth-generation 8HP, capable of delivering up to 160 kilowatts, or 215 mechanical horsepower. Its more robust electric drive unit is anticipated to enhance the Wrangler 4xe’s acceleration. However, due to its additional weight, the Gladiator 4xe is unlikely to achieve the same 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) times.
Mopar Insiders further notes that the plug-in hybrid transmission from ZF integrates its control electronics within the housing, reducing complexity. The electric motor utilizes welded copper rods rather than traditional coiled wire, which improves the filling rate and enhances power density. Another key feature is the incorporation of direct shift valves within the hydraulic control system.
The transmission’s hydraulic unit has been downsized, using 1.8 liters (0.48 gallons) of hydraulic fluid compared to the previous 3.1 liters (0.82 gallons). Additionally, a single power shunt pump system replaces the standard dual-pump setup. When the internal combustion engine shuts off, an electric motor operates the oil pump to maintain hydraulic pressure.
It remains uncertain whether Stellantis will continue using the 2.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged inline-four engine from the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, though it appears to be the most likely option for the 2026 models. However, the automaker did fit the 3.6-liter Pentastar naturally aspirated V6 in the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, a range-extended pickup truck that has been postponed to the second half of 2025 for the 2026 model year.
Production of the 2026 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is reportedly set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the Gladiator 4xe following in early 2026. All Gladiator models are assembled at the South plant, also known as Toledo Supplier Park, while both internal combustion and 4xe versions of the Wrangler are produced at Toledo North.
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